The Meaning of Human Existence: Exploring the Philosophy of the Human Condition

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Date The human condition refers to the choices people make while establishing a meaningful life. It explains the totality of living as human through experiences. The human condition is characterized by birth, emotions, morality, conflict, and death. There exist fundamental concepts that makes humans unique among all creation which includes; (1) awareness of inevitability of suffering and death (2) understanding evil and sin and (3) recognition of a transcendent intelligent being who intervenes in human affairs (Baumeister, 1991). As from birth, the realization of contingency dawns in humans on self-awareness and the concepts of the human condition. The question on what is inherently human has been an unending subject of debate with philosophers conflicting without common consensus. Aristotle define humans as rational beings and human functions contribute to eudaemonia which defines complete happiness. By rational, Aristotle refers human beings with the deliberation that distinguishes them from animals. Human beings have the capacity to make choices that are ideal for their consumption contrary to non-human beings. Aristotle describes humans as beings with practical intelligence and the capacity of deliberation and reasoning (West, 2017). His belief is that human nature has the cognitive capacity to make absolute decisions. Plato believe that the discernment of humans to understand human nature steers individual contentment and social solidity. He also asserts that human nature relates more to our souls than our bodies. The soul consists of three parts; the spirited, the appetitive, and the logical part. The logical part represents the search for knowledge and the truth, the appetitive part is responsible for lover, sex, hunger, and thirst while the spirited part manifests anger and temper. The body and soul are in constant conflict yet the body is the hindrance of the soul. Plato believes that a man reflects the character of the society that he lives in and the basis of understanding the true meaning of the human society is understanding the astronomical cosmos which is an expression of the external order (Voegelin, 2001). This analogy of astronomical cosmos means that the laws that rule the world must be compatible and consistent just like the laws in the world of stars. Descartes philosophy emphasizes on free will and that God provides human beings with free will. The belief in God and immortality gives human nature a reason to be moral. He also believes that reason is an absolute human characteristic that is not shared by animals. Through experience, humans are conditioned on various emotional responses. In making rational choices, humans have the capacity to use their free will well and control their bodies. Descartes believed that humans cannot exist alone but must be part of social groups such as family, friendships, and nationalities (Duncan, 2000). human nature coordinates and interacts with each other. Picasso’s artwork has a deeper meaning to the artist and each painting tells a story of experience. His art depicts the philosophy of human condition in the phases of his life....