It might be a question of degree. Check out the chapter on Bateson in "Against Civilization" (his theme of "runaway"). But you might check out Buddhist meditation; it might surprise you.
Is it not the same energy that propels an individual to always be 'climbing the ladder' either socially or in employment? And our constant national obsession with 'growth of GDP'. Life isn't interesting unless you are striving. Simply enjoying 'being' is insufficient a reason to be alive.
A small # of political commentators have argued that the American people *are* Trump, in effect; that he embodies all of their/our values in an extreme form. Check out the Epilogue to my latest bk, "Thinking Otherwise" for an elaboration of this. The following essay is also on pt:
Your discussion of tension and balance between reason and passion is very interesting. On a personal note, I started my academic life in physics and mathematics. I suppose part of me was drawn to the purity of logic and mathematics and the hope that they could provide certainty amid the uncertainties of life. It's ironic how both science and religion promise their adherents absolute certainty - an end to all doubts and questions. The older I get, however, the more I find myself drawn to art and music and poetry. Maybe I've come to feel than an attempt to live by reason alone is an attempt to suppress something deeply human. As Adorno and Horkheimer noted, the purely rational society quickly becomes a totalitarian nightmare. Perhaps the proper balance between the rational and irrational is what we call wisdom.
Thanks for an excellent, and accurate, summary of human behavior. I wonder if, at some level, Americans will miss Trump once we manage to get rid of him? He has provided us with an endless source of outrage and distractions.
Excelente artículo, como siempre señor Berman. En apoyo de su tesis, le invito a leer a Aldous Huxley,El fin y los medios, o El fin y los medios. Sobre los ideales y los métodos empleados para su realización (Ends and Means: An Enquiry into the Nature of Ideals and the Methods Employed for their Realization, 1937)
Some attribute the low birth rate in developed nations to the absence of a healthy little war.
Miriam-
It might be a question of degree. Check out the chapter on Bateson in "Against Civilization" (his theme of "runaway"). But you might check out Buddhist meditation; it might surprise you.
-mb
Is it not the same energy that propels an individual to always be 'climbing the ladder' either socially or in employment? And our constant national obsession with 'growth of GDP'. Life isn't interesting unless you are striving. Simply enjoying 'being' is insufficient a reason to be alive.
Artep-
Give us a link, por favor.
Lorene-
Spoken like a true war criminal.
-mb
ps: Here's a bit of nonrational behavior for ya:
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/parenting/texas-moms-arrested-after-infant-was-thrown-and-stomped-on-by-kids/ar-AA26NXrT?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgntpruby&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a42b69637cc48e99127f5448147270d&ei=81
Aren't Americans the greatest?
War is hell, but peace is damn boring.
William Tecumseh Sherman
Have you read the hsin Hsin Ming lately? Eg, when movement stops there is no movement, and when no movement there is no stopping …
Ron-
A small # of political commentators have argued that the American people *are* Trump, in effect; that he embodies all of their/our values in an extreme form. Check out the Epilogue to my latest bk, "Thinking Otherwise" for an elaboration of this. The following essay is also on pt:
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/trump-isn-t-the-disease-he-s-the-symptom-america-needs-to-confront-opinion/ar-AA26wBfq?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgntpruby&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a3d46e8a85b4a36b73b065992254f13&ei=92
Justin-
Compare yr own evolution to that of Alan Turing, as I described it in "Eminent Post-Victorians."
-mb
Good morning,
Your discussion of tension and balance between reason and passion is very interesting. On a personal note, I started my academic life in physics and mathematics. I suppose part of me was drawn to the purity of logic and mathematics and the hope that they could provide certainty amid the uncertainties of life. It's ironic how both science and religion promise their adherents absolute certainty - an end to all doubts and questions. The older I get, however, the more I find myself drawn to art and music and poetry. Maybe I've come to feel than an attempt to live by reason alone is an attempt to suppress something deeply human. As Adorno and Horkheimer noted, the purely rational society quickly becomes a totalitarian nightmare. Perhaps the proper balance between the rational and irrational is what we call wisdom.
Thanks for an excellent, and accurate, summary of human behavior. I wonder if, at some level, Americans will miss Trump once we manage to get rid of him? He has provided us with an endless source of outrage and distractions.
Fer-
I read it, yrs ago, but thanks for the reminder. Yes, an impt bk.
-mb
Excelente artículo, como siempre señor Berman. En apoyo de su tesis, le invito a leer a Aldous Huxley,El fin y los medios, o El fin y los medios. Sobre los ideales y los métodos empleados para su realización (Ends and Means: An Enquiry into the Nature of Ideals and the Methods Employed for their Realization, 1937)