Hello HIVERS👋👋
As we saw in my last update, many thinkers have condemned Consciousness as the sole culprit for the Existential Crisis that affects some individuals in the modern world.
Norwegian philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe goes forth to question the validity of the claim of the Silenus, that we are merely " but children of chance and suffering" asking the following questions:
…has mankind not long ago, gone extinct during great epidemics of madness? Why do only a fairly minor number of individuals perish because they fail to endure the strain of living?
Zapffe
He thought of there to be a mechanism in place which leads to many not falling victims of the feeling of world-weariness experienced by those who deeply contemplate the deep truths of life.
Going further he espouses that which he himself thought was the answer stating that:
Cultural history, as well as observation of ourselves and others, allow the following answer: Most people learn to save themselves by artificially limiting the content of consciousness.
Zapffe
He then went on to identify some of what he referred to as the repression mechanisms which apparently enable many individuals to artificially limit the content of their consciousness, and in the process protect themselves from the pains and suffering that comes from being overly conscious of fate and the sad realities of the life we live in.
The mechanisms which he though people used being: Isolation, Anchoring and Distraction.
Isolation
Fully arbitrary dismissal from consciousness of all disturbing and destructive thoughts and feelings.
Zapffe
Was the definition given by the Zapffe, thought fitting isolation.
Source
Unconsciously or semi-consciously many individuals avoid thinking about anything related to the terrible truths of human existence.
The individuals utilizing various strategies to ensure that the tragic truths about our existence are kept the farthest they can form our awareness.
Anchoring
According to Zapffe anchoring is a:
fixation of points within, or construction of walls around, the liquid fray of consciousness
the happiest…protection against the cosmos that we ever get to know in life…
One of the primary anchoring points that we all have is the home and neighborhood each one grew up in. But with time the home anchor loses its efficacy, where one ends up getting other anchors to grasp onto, such as a political party, religious creed, or even one's vocation.
Source
The role of the anchors being to provide a sense of safety and familiarity, to an individual.
The anchors also play the role of providing meaning to the individual, protecting the individual from the existential crisis and feelings of cosmic insignificance.
Distraction
According to the Zapffe, distraction is a:
Very popular mode of protection,
Where
One limits attention to the critical bounds by constantly enthralling it with impression.
Source
Our modern culture of instantaneous gratification, where we all engage and constantly seek out mindless stimuli and entertainment is a confirmation to Zapffe's observation that distraction is actually used by many to minimize the awareness of the said harsh realities of life.
The above mechanisms go a long way, successfully limiting the content individuals experience of consciousness.
The majority go through life without having to ever succumb to any extreme states of helplessness, many having the conviction that although life is tough, victories will always be there and that it is all worth the effort.
Okay, people there go some insights form Zapffe, I can attest to the distraction for I have indulged at one time in various forms of fake entertainment as a way of avoiding contemplating the questions.
But unfortunately, the entertainment gets to a point that it too does not work and I have to find better ways of dealing with the sad realities.
And seeing that I have no religion, things do get tough.
Anyway, people, see you in my next update.
Keep spreading the love. ❤❤🖐
I will see y'all then.
🙌
Cheers!
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@peeterx