So I am pretty sure what I am about to say, is exactly why Dr. Talmage told me that I am no fun.....I don't work well with the abstract and I really want to equate the reading with application. I am less concerned with real meanings and more concerned with real life. I am not saying this to say I am therefore better, in fact it makes this class a whole lot harder for me.
As I struggle through Heidegger, I seriously want to reach into the text grab him and say,
"Dude, CHILL OUT! We don't need to dig down deep into the understanding of life in one night"
In my spare time you can assume I don't think about these kind of things (Nor alternate realities #Chloe Rush) However, I suppose that is why Honors is good for me it forces me to think outside the realm of what I am comfortable with-
A lot of people approach life with the attitude of wanting to bypass all that is not applicable to them- thus you hear things like "When will I ever use Algebra??" (which in my opinion IS necessary!)
And thus the more applicable question to my life, when will I EVER use Heidegger in nursing? Especially as a practical person who doesn't really appreciate abstraction.
Well, I could use some of his questions to stump my annoying patients into silence but I feel as if that would be the appropriate use of the philosophical struggles I have endured/embraced over the past two years.
So now I must discover an application to my life. Why does Heidegger matter?
In one way Heidegger matters because he represents the same thing Honors represents in my life. His search to answer this question which some may never ask themselves is one of struggle, and one that we cannot enter into lightly. Some people never want nor know to ask themselves, "Why are there essents rather than nothing?" And although a life will not be changed for the worse without asking this deep and meaningful question, what if a life could be more fully understood by really seeking this one out? How many people in our fast paced society reach the end of their busy lives filled with social events, work, church, and stuff just to wonder why?
As I begin to really dive into his deep philosophical questioning I begin to wonder if part of this is a deeper understanding of self. If I begin to understand why I am here and who I am and that relationship to the world, then my interpersonal skills could be better. But more than that I am as a person who has struggled up from the cave a person who has really grappled with reality and such I believe I am ready to face life and the world in a brighter position. I may not have all the answers but an acceptance of that is a better more enlightened place in which I can appreciate poetry, beauty and truth.
I really hope all of that connected as some what ordered. (:
Personally, I always roll my eyes at those who whine about not being able to use certain things in there lives. It only annoys me feverishly, however, if they never take the time to understand the way in which they CAN use those frustrating, mind molesting, information. I myself have been guilty of the latter in math... but honestly only because I am awful at it. One thing that has increased in me, and hopefully all Honors students in the challenge to be learners, and to teach others to do so. We need to be well rounded. Sure, there is a time and a place to deal with social, events, work, church, etc... but we can't forget that we are alive to LIVE! To travel the world, see the origins of truth and wander through the mysteries of adventure.
ReplyDeleteAs Jeremy Crews would say it (inspired by Ted Dekker), " dive deep and drown willingly" folks.
I commented on Chess Queens by Josh
ReplyDeleteDr. Mashburn says that it is better to be socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. (I believe he's quoting John stuart Mill)
ReplyDeleteI think it's always better to wrestle with these frustrations and concepts even when they seem pointless and non applicable, rather than blindly accept every facet of life that is handed to us. And I agree with you whole heartedly, i want to be a person journeying up from the cave as well.