Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 1

What is unique and common to the human condition and experience?

What are the perennial problems of the human condition?

While modern society has vastly improved material conditions for many, we are afflicted by diseases of affluence as well as poverty.

Survival and basic needs aside, what is the human project?

Good health, wealth and relationships are important, yet our self-awareness of the ever present and uncertain threat of our mortality add a sober and somber flavor to the conversation. With the passage of time, our health eventually fails, we cannot take our wealth with us, and everyone we love will die. So what is left?

There is certainly a balance to be had between living for the moment and planning for the probable future, even if it is ultimately unknowable and uncertain.

Does the pursuit of riches, fame and power lose some of its appeal given such a reality? Are these merely immortality projects destined to fail? How do we extend ourselves beyond our lifetime? Is that in and of itself foolishness? I am certainly indebted to the cultural contributions of great minds and lives that came before me.

Or ought we merely endeavor to enjoy the time we have? Knowing that we are here for a limited time, should we then live for the benefit of others?

Many philosophies propose the cultivation of a good character.

To become wise, virtuous and pursue excellence. To answer the question, what is it to be a good human being? This inquiry is certainly not new, as the Aristotelian proposition of eudaimonia, or human well-being and flourishing. His conclusion is that reason is the ultimate human faculty. Given the recent and continuing developments in artificial intelligence, it may bear some revisitation soon enough. 

What differentiates us from animals, being animals ourselves? Or more topically, as our technology begins to outpace some of our own capacities, what differentiates us from our own artifacts and machinery? In what way do we honor our animal forebears and nature while embracing and expressing our uniquely human qualities? How do we live in relationship with ourselves, others and the world?

What is our unique work to be done here in our lifetime?

After you've attained every possession you can imagine, traveled to every destination you wanted to, explored intimacy and relationships to one's satisfaction, crossed off every experience on your bucket list, what does one do with the remaining time?

How do we situate ourselves in the context of our limited bodies and finite time? 

An emerging theme from across the sources I have surveyed is the self-concept, how it's constructed and its intrinsic problems.

I intend to borrow and synthesize from the ancient world’s religious, philosophical and spiritual traditions while supported by modern insights from psychology and cognitive science.

In the end though, I think I will have more questions than answers, and that’s okay.

If nothing else, at the very least we are here to grow and contribute while discovering and expressing who and what we are.

To be continued.