by Paolo Avecilla
25 September 2012
Discussed Text: Gabriel Marcel, The Mystery of Being
Browsing through the recent discussions in class, I was able to draw some essential realizations about the contrast between being and having. Of course, we're all aware of how possession in the context of being is much deeper than the context of merely having, in the sense that the possessing something in the context of being means to have something that is naturally ingrained in your identity as a real human person. Possessing something in the context of having thus gives a separation between the owner and the thing which he supposedly owns. Whatever this thing is, we've understood it to be something physical and tangible which we can see and feel. At least that's according to the examples sir has given over the past few discussions. However, what about the intangible/abstract things which we currently hold such as our knowledge, values and beliefs? Unlike our body and identity, which we own (and is more importantly part of our BEING), our knowledge, values and beliefs were not ingrained in us naturally from the moment we started to exist. These were things which we acquired/earned, the same way as we acquired/earned all the material possessions we have with us to this very moment. However, these intangibles, upon receiving them, naturally became part of who we are or what makes US the beings that we are. And unlike the material things, these things cannot be taken away from us or separated from us. Unlike a book that can be easily put aside from our sight, our values and beliefs cannot be put aside that way. So should these intangibles then be considered as possessions of being or having?
This post reminds me of the quote: "greatness is earned, not awarded." Because we live in such a materialistic world (whether we like it or not), we tend to focus more on the things we wish to have- the things that we think could make us happy. Like getting the new iPhone 5: the 50-thousand-peso worth of gadget that almost everyone wants to have because we think it's awesome and that it'll make us happy. This type of happiness, however, is temporary. I believe that it is in the intangible abstract things- things that cannot be measured and/or explained.
ReplyDeleteLast Saturday, my team competed at the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. Just 2 days before the actual competition, our main lifter injured his knee and it was impossible for him to compete. We feared and panicked, but we all had to step up. We were forced to revise the entire routine 2 nights before. Hence, we did not expect nothing less than a perfect run come the actual competition day- no awards, no medals.. Just a clean, fun, and an almost perfect execution of stunts despite all the complications. And I believe we made that happen.
That experience definitely defined true happiness for me. The kind of happiness that even years after, I can look back and smile with no regrets. The kind that is and will forever be "part of me."
I guess this is what Pao likes to point out in this post.. That it is in these intangible abstract things and experiences that completes us as human beings and truly makes us feel alive. :)
Arielle Escalona PH101-C