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Metaphysical Frivolity
"... illness and the approach of death may draw forth the ultimate capacities from a man who has hitherto wasted his life in 'metaphysical frivolity' and let his own potentialities lie fallow." (Frankl, The Doctor and the Soul, p. 115)
I think that locution - "metaphysical frivolity" - beautifully expresses the existential waste entailed in allowing the gulf to remain wide between one's empirical self and one's ideal self - or even in being blind to one's ideal self (daimon) altogether.
Summoning the shade of old Friedrich, I must say that I find it irksome that so many of the objects of traditionalist condemnation are considered "evil," when actually the appropriate term is "contemptible."
April 19, 2005 | Permalink
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Interesting, Paul. Have you heard of a philosopher of history named Kosseleck? His idea is that modernity is characterized by a lag between experience and expectation, such as was not the case in traditional culture -- in other words, that what we experience now, and the sum total of experiences that make up our education, do not 'fit" with what we know will be happening in the future, as was once the case. And as this lack of fit is magnified, expectation is no longer the limit of experience, bound to it by the thousand ties of rational filiation, but becomes the Other of experience, what we turn away from -- the future becoming not the fruition of our skills and intelligence, but the domain in which we know the arbitrary extinction of our usefulness is planned and carried out.
Hence, the 'daimon' can no longer be the ideal self -- since it has no future to dwell in, no possible instantiation -- but becomes a drag on on the real self, an avatar of a future that is never going to happen.
In classical terms, this is the equivalent of saying: the serious is dead. There is no weight, given by past experience, to what we learn. It is all frivolity, now.
Not that I absolutely subscribe to this view, you understand.
Posted by: roger at Apr 20, 2005 10:30:42 AM
"Hence, the 'daimon' can no longer be the ideal self -- since it has no future to dwell in, no possible instantiation -- but becomes a drag on on the real self, an avatar of a future that is never going to happen."
Wonderfully put.
"... the domain in which we know the arbitrary extinction of our usefulness is planned and carried out." Does that mean death as the culmination of life's assumed meaninglessness - or is it postulated that some sinister social forces conspire ("plan") to make us jejune?
Or - ?
I don't know Kosseleck at all, but am grateful for the pointer - thanks, Roger.
Posted by: Paul Craddick at Apr 20, 2005 11:08:02 AM
Paul, actually I meant that, with the hegemony of linear over cyclical time, planning takes on new forms and dimensions. And the power of planning mass death goes on under one's nose, with one's consent, on the condition that one is massively desensitized to just what that means -- it becomes a mere budget item.
I should say, I'm not endorsing Kosseleck's view of modernity, simply holding it up for inspection. One could derive a rather unpleasant nostalgia for traditional society from it -- just as one can from Heidegger.
Posted by: roger at Apr 21, 2005 3:16:50 PM
The noble pursuit of arete can cause all kinds of illness and death, just as: 'metaphysical frivolity' can. Being in the wrong environment, place, and relationship/s can equally stand in the way of your daimon and shorten your life.
The Death of your dream and the death of all that you have worked so hard to achieve is an abomination that you should never accept. Rearrange your life and make room for continuing the pursuit of your ideal self and you will tolerate this unfair non idealic existence.
Never take your dream's failure lying down - and cursed be any structure or persons that put all else before your soul, spirit, or your creation of a good work.
Any artist who is forced to acknowledge they cannot create their art and have their art work appreciated on a level that is desired suffers a deep personal disappointment. You cannot personalize your failure, though. Your talent is there, yet something was amiss. I think the lyrics weren't deep enough, personally. I heard your Dharma Doors CD.
When we were young, we all had dreams and goals... but you were luckier than most in that your parents and friends encouraged and supported your dreams/ interests. You were also luckier because your were more talented than most as well.
Frankly, there are plenty of VERY SUCKY artists out there that made it - not because they were particularly great... they made it because they persevered. Pay your dues, get kicked around and taken advantaged a few times, wise up, learn the game, and get back in it.
Sitting around philosophizing about these things too much is dangerous too. Realize the mistakes of the past, grow from them, accept your limitations, and plan a better course of action is all that you can do.
Spend more time doing that which will bring you closer to your daimon and make you happier in the long run and you will be contented knowing that you are at least striving towards your pie in the sky dream/goal. However unrealistic it may seem now, every one will have their day in the sun.
You should expect to fail 10 times according to experts. I recommend the entire Rich Dad Poor Dad Series on CD. Although simplistic in business approach, the information has profound implications for a person's life. It gave me hope, direction, and a plan again. Maybe a business manager, an agent, and a professional review by your respected idols (not local peers) would help?
Create your own label? Do fundraisers? Get air time - on Conan, Jay Leno, etc? Rewrite your lyrics? Change a little music around? Work with what you have - put a different spin on it? Maybe write down all your favorite artists, what you like best of all their work - and figure out how to encorporate that into yours? The Eagles said that they try to write more globally vs. personally.
Every day I get up and hate my sucky life - but at least I have a direction and force myself to work towards my dreams daily. It is a pitiful struggle in the face of all of my serious obstacles. No one would believe some of the ---- I had to go through just to arrive at this sorry place. But, every day, all we have are our hopes and dreams.
It hurts me to know that you would ever consider giving up yours - because you are so much more talented than most. I feel your pain - but don't do it.
One of my Political Science professors once said, "The only respite that you may get in this life may only come in the form of music". At times, I think that is true. I would like to add Art to that list.
These are some of the songs that help me feel better:
Duran Duran's: Come Undone & Ordinary World Genesis's: Hold on My Heart, Follow you Follow Me, Taking it all to Hard, Home by the Sea
Enya's: Only Time
Alphaville: Forever Young
Aerosmith: Dream On
Journey: Send her my Love & Fathfully
Black Eyed Peas: Where is the Love
Olivia Newton John: Magic
Bee Gees: Immortality & Staying Alive
Stevie Nicks: Sara
Backstreet Boys: Incomplete
Hoku: Perfect Day
Simon and Garfunkle: Bridge over Troubled Water
Talk Talk: It's my Life
Roxy Music: Avalon
Lindsey Lohan: Ultimate
Cindi Lauper: She Bop
Britney Spears: Do Something
Enigma: Return to Innocence
etc.
The death of a man's spirit can be witnessed by the death of his dream - and the sight is not pretty. No true friend (past or present) would silently stand by and allow such a catastrophe without protesting. Please let this post serve as a protest - out of love for greatness that I know is yet to come - if only you don't stand in your way.
Posted by: rh at Jul 25, 2005 11:13:55 PM