Arquivo de philosophy | Page 107 of 121

Desire: the Cancer of the Human Psyche

It is possible to find rational justifications for denying the solutions proposed by the Stoics, the Buddhists, Schopenhauer and many others. But there is a universal truth, present also in Christian philosophy, concerning desire: it is the plague, the cancer of the human psyche, the endless source of frustrations. And if, after careful psychological analysis, we decide to pluck it out at its root, plucking each of our hopes with a hoe, we get rid of an immense, malignant and harmful burden. The problem is that the human being lives on dreams, supports reality in the hope of a better future. To exterminate it, therefore, is to make life lose its brightness, is to give line to indifference, is to deny nature itself, is self-mutilation. Well, that seems to be the way to peace.

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Knowledge and Compound Interest

Knowledge compares to compound interest. Of these Einstein said, “the 8th wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it, he who doesn’t, pays it“. In both cases, the ascent is linked to time and occurs exponentially, i. e., the greater the distance traveled, the greater the acceleration. Scabrous obstacles, with time, become easily overcome, and the momentary possibilities will never represent the future. There is, of course, the caveat: whether in knowledge or in compound interest, progress is conditioned to reinversion.

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Achieving Bliss

Losing our illusions, accepting death, freeing ourselves from financial shackles, laughing at our ridicule, measuring our mediocrity, resisting desire, accepting frustration, annihilating pride, dedicating time to that which fills us with meaning: this is how we achieve bliss, or rather: how we can lick it, until our tongue is dry…

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The Bureaucrats’ Resistance

I admire the resistance of the bureaucrats. In the world, there are many bureaucrats. Ten, fifteen, thirty years performing exactly the same functions, fulfilling the same processes, satisfied and proud of their own experience. The serious countenance at work, the words filled with security, skill, precision. Experts in reports, forms, formal requisitions. Masters in procedures, specifications, certificates, regulations, minutes… I admire the resistance of bureaucrats, for I cannot imagine myself in such a universe but in despair, extreme frustration, eager for death. Filling out forms for thirty years? Please, please, give me the same hemlock as Socrates…

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