Kierkegaard's Wisdom: Navigating Life's Absurdities
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Chapter 1: Embracing Life's Absurdities
Life can often feel like a grand absurdity. Every day, we gather experiences that sometimes seem illogical. We find ourselves questioning our choices and doubting the paths we’ve taken, leading us to seek clarity from the past. However, striving for a flawless reality is futile. The blend of pain, joy, and suffering doesn't necessitate that we always seek answers. While it's natural to want to comprehend the reasons behind our decisions, understanding may elude us now or perhaps even forever—and that is perfectly acceptable.
Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher, astutely observed, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Yet, living life while constantly gazing in the rearview mirror is unfeasible. Hindsight provides lessons, but the present moment is where life unfolds.
“It is really true what philosophy tells us, that life must be understood backwards. But with this, one forgets the second proposition, that it must be lived forwards. A proposition which, the more it is subjected to careful thought, the more it ends up concluding precisely that life at any given moment cannot really ever be fully understood; exactly because there is no single moment where time stops completely in order for me to take position [to do this]: going backwards.” — Søren Kierkegaard, Journals and Papers
You must forge ahead without having the complete picture, and this uncertainty can be daunting. Although it may feel uncomfortable, it's vital to learn to trust the journey.
Section 1.1: Shifting Perspectives
Move away from a destination-centric mindset. Writer and philosopher Alan Watts encourages us to “dance while the music plays.” He reflects on how we often perceive life as a journey with a serious purpose at its conclusion, such as achieving success or perhaps reaching paradise after death. Unfortunately, we overlook the essence of the experience along the way. Life is more about the journey itself, where we are meant to enjoy and engage while the music is still playing.
Life isn’t merely a problem to be solved; it’s a dynamic experience that requires continuous engagement. We cannot afford to pause or scrutinize every action, as doing so could cause us to miss valuable opportunities. Understanding often occurs retrospectively. Overthinking and doubt can immobilize us; thus, it's essential to trust your instincts and choose to live in the moment while relinquishing the quest for certainty.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Birth of Wisdom
Wisdom emerges from our experiences. While the future is beyond our control, we can shape it through our present actions. “Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn’t matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough,” says physicist Richard Feynman.
Section 1.2: The Art of Living
Life is fundamentally a reality to be experienced. I draw lessons from the past, but I don’t dwell there. Instead, I utilize wisdom from prior missteps to inform my future decisions. Ultimately, grasping the meaning of life—especially past experiences—may not hold as much importance as fully experiencing the present. “It is legitimate and necessary to wonder whether life has a meaning,” notes existentialist Albert Camus. While I may reflect on the connections, patterns, and significances of my experiences, my focus has always been on living forward. Life doesn’t stop for contemplation; it’s about seizing the moment amidst uncertainty.
The more I contemplate the nature of life, the clearer it becomes that seeking definitive understanding is often an illusion. In this pursuit, precious time can slip away. So, what is my approach? I choose to live, to experience, to feel, and to prioritize making the present memorable.
Chapter 2: Accepting Uncertainty
In the video titled "Søren Kierkegaard, The Crowd Is Untruth | Truth and the Single Individual," we delve into Kierkegaard's thoughts on the relationship between individuality and societal pressures. His philosophies encourage us to embrace our unique paths despite external influences.
The second video, "Partially Examined Life #333: Kierkegaard's 'Fear and Trembling' on Faith (Part One)," explores the complexities of faith through Kierkegaard's lens, emphasizing the importance of personal belief systems amid uncertainty.
I will never possess all the answers I seek. This realization has led me to abandon the pursuit of perfect understanding. I have decided to trust the process and flow with life, even when it feels perplexing. A deeper comprehension may eventually unfold, or it may not, but life continues on. I choose to live fully, even with lingering questions. Every experience—be it painful or joyous—serves as a pathway forward. Striking a balance between reflection and action is key to a fulfilling life. That, perhaps, embodies the greatest wisdom.
“What I really need is to get clear about what I must do, not what I must know, except insofar as knowledge must precede every act… [T]he crucial thing is to find a truth which is truth for me, to find the idea for which I am willing to live and die” — Søren Kierkegaard
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