Individuals in Society:
The paradoxum homana
The paradoxum homana
I was walking early this morning and thinking about something that often bothers me: How terribly out-of-touch I tend to be with my peers. It's hard for us to see eye-to-eye on almost anything, and I was pondering what exactly that means.
It seems to me that societal norms are useful constructs under the correct application- most notably, they help us maintain a centered existence. By measuring ourself against those around us we can quickly see whether or not we have begun to stray into non-normative, perhaps detrimental, behaviors and thoughts.
Unfortunately, it seems that as with many things in life the safest place is mediocrity. If we are to truly be free agents, acting of our own will and synthesizing new thoughts and actions we must depart from the crowd. While this ultimately frees us from the chains we are held in it also removes from us the ruler by which we can measure our life.
To step away from society is like walking a razor's edge: It is simple to fall to either side, into insanity or paranormal status, and even when we remain on the thin path of sound new reason we are likely to cut our feet a bit.
It is the same paradox Rousseau faced writing his Discourses, when he used a learned and sophisticated essay to say that learning and sophistication are the decay of humanity. In order to engage society and improve it, we must venture to where we can no longer measure ourselves against it, but simply trust and hope that our reason and thoughts have not led us astray.
I suppose that is what it means to be in the world but not of it- and the uncertainty of each step certainly provides for the fear and trembling needed to work out our faith.
How then, should I live?
-Benjamin
It seems to me that societal norms are useful constructs under the correct application- most notably, they help us maintain a centered existence. By measuring ourself against those around us we can quickly see whether or not we have begun to stray into non-normative, perhaps detrimental, behaviors and thoughts.
Unfortunately, it seems that as with many things in life the safest place is mediocrity. If we are to truly be free agents, acting of our own will and synthesizing new thoughts and actions we must depart from the crowd. While this ultimately frees us from the chains we are held in it also removes from us the ruler by which we can measure our life.
To step away from society is like walking a razor's edge: It is simple to fall to either side, into insanity or paranormal status, and even when we remain on the thin path of sound new reason we are likely to cut our feet a bit.
It is the same paradox Rousseau faced writing his Discourses, when he used a learned and sophisticated essay to say that learning and sophistication are the decay of humanity. In order to engage society and improve it, we must venture to where we can no longer measure ourselves against it, but simply trust and hope that our reason and thoughts have not led us astray.
I suppose that is what it means to be in the world but not of it- and the uncertainty of each step certainly provides for the fear and trembling needed to work out our faith.
How then, should I live?
-Benjamin
No comments:
Post a Comment