The need to acknowledge tragedy
Below is an article from humanist philosopher Richard Norman on the way that humanism needs to acknowledge the possibility of failure and tragedy in our lives.
From a humanist point of view we give meaning to our lives by engaging in activities which are worthwhile and fulfilling. Critics may say that this leaves us vulnerable to the fragility of our human condition. Our projects may fail, for any number of reasons, and this seems to imply that we live on the brink on meaninglessness. All our activities end in death – the ultimate futility if we have no belief in personal immortality. And within our lifetimes the activities which give a point to our lives could collapse at any time.
The Christian philosopher John Cottingham, in his fine book On the Meaning of Life, offers this imaginary example:
Consider David, a millionaire architect, who makes it his life’s work to build a hospital in an area where medical facilities are sorely needed. He struggles against great odds to get the project completed, single-mindedly pursing this goal to the point of bankrupting himself, not to mention the neglect of many other rewarding activities that might have engaged his attention. But on the day the hospital is due to be opened, a meteorite hurtles to earth and vaporises the hospital’s oil storage tanks; the whole building complex is engulfed in a fireball and razed to the ground, with terrible loss of life. David now bitterly declares that his entire effort was pointless – a tragic and futile waste of energy and resources.
As flies to wanton boys are we to th’ gods.
They kill us for their sport.
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life,
And thou no breath at all? Thou’lt come no more,
Never, never, never, never, never.
What is life-affirming in the play is simply its enabling us to acknowledge that, yes, that is how life can sometimes be. There is no consolation, but there is a kind of nobility in the honest acceptance of the human condition.
Question: In what ways might a recognition of tragedy in human lives provide a motivating force for how we should live?
Introducing Humanism: Non-religious Approaches to Life, with Sandi Toksvig
Introducing Humanism: Non-religious Approaches to Life, with Sandi Toksvig
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
