More Than Pinteresting

by Jaz Reyes


24 July 2012


Discussed Text: Gabriel Marcel, "Introduction," The Mystery of Being

Is philosophy simply a description of an individual's experience from discord to peace? Or to put it philosophically, is there value to other people with what we have realized? That is the question Marcel posed in his introductory lecture on doing philosophy.

Throughout the lecture we have come to realize that no, philosophical thinking that results from some kind of metaphysical unease is not only for our own sake, for the type of philosophical investigation we should deal with is one that is neither too subjective nor too universalized. Rather, it is an intermediary way of thinking. Marcel helps us define that intermediary way of thinking through fine analogies aesthetically, religiously and politically.

Among all the examples, I find Marcel’s analogy through art the most engaging because he was able to relate the feeling of revelation to an intermediary thinking that left me going: “ONGA NO. ONGAAAA NO” in my head. He tried to speak of “revelation” in a subjective sense when he spoke about being able to let a piece of art speak to him, and I believe I have felt this sense of revelation when I go to galleries, museums and on Pinterest.  In that moment, it is just that piece of art and me conversing emotionally and mentally rather than verbally (because that would just make me look like I’m high).  But such insight is not merely subjective. There must be a balance for thinking to be intermediary, and in order to do that, we think of the opposite; the universal aspect. Revelation is universal in a sense that one considers the possibility that the other can see what is revealed, and we do not punish, mock, or bring others down when they did not see it at first.

This insight does not only open us up to a new way of seeing through wider lens, but it also calls us to a certain way of acting. And I believe this is what I was looking for when we were asked if there could ever be value to another person for our own personal philosophical insights.

I was skeptical of how my personal thoughts can directly influence another person’s well being right off the bat. But Marcel helped me realize that being an intermediary thinker already helps me to do so. Because I could think that there is only one way of interpreting this piece of artwork because it spoke to me in this way and shun all others who cannot see it as fools. This example shows the imbalance of the subjective and universal way of thinking, whereas universal is absent; or I could keep it balanced and try to understand that maybe the painting is speaking about something else to that person and that I should try to befriend that person and invite him for a couple of drinks as we discuss the night away. As far as I can see it, realizing that one must keep a balanced way of thinking helped me not only gain a friend but also gain and share new insight that can be of value for either one of us.

But this is only one way of seeing how one’s philosophical thoughts can affect others. I’m sure that a lot more of our own concrete experiences has a universal relevance or effect to other people and it would be nice for you to take some time off and reflect on the moments where you actually had done this.

The part that disturbs me most on this whole ordeal is the fact that I personally think that it does take quite an effort for me to be enabled to think as such. I honestly don’t automatically think this way, to get that balance in my philosophical investigation of my day-to-day life. It feels as if I have to have a "double take" on my wired, programmed actions; the natural actions, to be constantly “suspicious” as Marcel has stated.

How I do feel about the metaphysical and reflective thought is as what Marcel said, that it feels like a blood clot, preventing blood to naturally flow; preventing our natural thoughts to naturally flow. There is just so much effort, and blockage in order to really have an easy time to think philosophically. But then again, maybe this is where the sense of freedom of thought and seeking of what is desired rather than needed is fulfilled, because in order to be able to reach that accomplishment, we have to bask in the absence of it.

At the end of the day, I guess I have to agree with Marcel on philosophical investigation when he mentioned that “in seeking to determine for what set of people this work of ours can be intended; we have arrived at a distinction between those who feel a certain inner intellectual need, not unrelated to the more widespread inner moral need, felt by men of goodwill, to seek peace and ensue it, and those who do not.”