Being Part 2

Along with Jefferson, we give thanks to Adam Smith for capitalism .With capitalism and democracy, we have self-determination, economic growth and material abundance. First, Madison Avenue, and now in the electronic age, we have numerous objects to want. We’re told, drink a beer, Coke, or some other beverage and you’ll be associating with some pretty, smiling female, laughing, and scantily dressed. Attend the University to attain a degree, and make tons of money. We’re told to buy that diamond in order to get the perfect girl. Were told to purchase that dream house or go on a well-deserved exotic vacation, drinking a beer with a pretty girl next to you on the beach at the ocean. Were told to buy that fancy sports car or wear that status or designers watch. The Sunday New York Times provides many illustrations and examples for finding happiness. Existentialism emerged in the 1800s with Soren Kierkegaard and Frederick Nitschke. Within this philosophy, God was dead; there was brevity of human life with no immortality. Briefly, it’s important to deny the supremacy of reason and/ or rationality .It’s important to experience life in the present. Moreover, scientific and technical achievements have not solved the problem of man’s existence, but instead have placed barriers that interfere with its solution. Further, the highly technological mass production has resulted in the individual becoming lost, and now we live in a society of conformity. Because of the irrational forces, man is what he is and he can’t be comforted by religious, political, scientific, or other illusions. Acceptance of these realizations, results in anxiety and dread. Humanistic psychologists have incorporated some notions of existentialism. It’s believed that man’s potential can occur once man understands and accepts his existence. Only then, does he have the potential to attain self-actualization. Erich Fromm, Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and others have laid out their ideas and have described what it’s like to be actualized. In essence, it’s about growth motivated individuals that produce health and satisfaction. Illness is prevented. There is pleasure in producing and creating. In other words, it’s growth of the individual, with the expression of maturation and ongoing development while establishing character. More To Follow