However plausible, rational, and, above all, seductive these new philosophies of “indulgence” which have sprung up in the last century may seem, regrettably they know little about the inner nature of desire. While there is some basis for criticism of the methods employed by religions to condemn human nature and to inoculate souls with an often unwarranted sense of guilt, and while, no doubt, violent repression of impulses may produce moral monsters, the path of “indulgence” in no way leads to the results these philosophies promise. They err because they think that indulgence will deliver satisfaction to souls, but this, by the means proposed, is very, very fleeting. Indulgence does not make the indulgent master of desires, any more than desires are overcome by repression. Perennial satisfaction comes from a peaceful elevation over the flesh, a turning entirely to something higher, which is nothing other than the adoption of a scale of values different from that of ordinary men. But there it is: for the new philosophers of indulgence, adopting such a scale is unthinkable. What they will never understand is that not every man suffers from desire, because there are those who make its manifestations simply insignificant.
Tag: philosophy
Very Low Level
I read a celebrated and not recommended author who proposed a kind of renewed hedonism. Indulgence, material abundance, and a life geared toward the full satisfaction of desires. What a joke! The fellow comments on various religions, and with each note shows himself to be supinely ignorant of them all. He says that in the East there were those who proposed religion as a way to blend in with a “universal consciousness,” since material accumulation is difficult in these regions of the globe, and therefore it is reasonable to provide these people with something that surpasses and does not depend on what they cannot attain. He also adds that reincarnation was conceived as a balm for those less fortunate in this life; therefore, feeding them with the hope of a better future life. Oh, Lord! And such a guy as a religious leader! Has he not taken the trouble to read a historical summary of the religions he comments on, to find out that in the East they flourished in the bosom of palaces, where material abundance and the satisfaction of desires led to unbearable boredom! where the idea of living this life over and over again ad infinitum, as reincarnation suggests, aroused nothing but absolute terror in them, leading them to take extreme measures to break this detestable cycle!
Simple Roadmap
The first step for the one who does not want, at the end of his life, to feel it completely wasted is to find, as soon as possible, something that fills it with meaning, that motivates, that brings the desire to wake up the next day—this something is what is commonly called vocation. Having found it, he must then carry it out on a daily basis, regardless of the circumstances. If more urgent needs rob it of time, he must carry it out, however little it may be, but considering it as the unavoidable priority of the routine—to postpone it is to waste the scarce time. Thus, he should deliberate the current situation as temporary, and all the rest of his life should be aimed at creating the conditions that will allow him to exercise such a vocation full-time. No effort must be spared, and he must use everything at his disposal to achieve this goal and free himself from this routine that is inadequate. In this, he already achieves a previous satisfaction, he already experiences a feeling of time well used. Finally, there are two possible scenarios: for those who create for themselves the conditions to exercise their calling full time, all they have to do is exercise it; for the others, all they have to do is not give up, and then they will not close their eyes regretting wasting the opportunities they had.
The Most Enchanting of Mermaids
This most enchanting of mermaids, misanthropy, even seems to be fond of artists and to be, besides an object of worship, a primary source of inspiration to them. Beautiful lady: more than a mermaid, a muse! And I never cease to marvel at how useful are the barriers erected around the mind inclined to art. Vigny, and not Victor Hugo, and not Lamartine, was the one who personified the fullness of the poetic vocation. And worse for those who seek motivation among stones!