Existence is an essential part of being human. I think to some degree, all of us have known or felt that we exist. The thought had crossed our minds at our happiest moments or during the times when we've felt the most alive. We even affirm our existence when we feel extreme pain or sadness. When we jokingly say, "i'm dying from stress" or "Ayaw ko na mabuhay" during our hell weeks/months/sems, we understand that we are existing. The thought of our existence may not cross our minds everyday. I hardly think anyone wakes up in the morning and says to himself, "I exist. Hooray!" However, I feel certain that everyone has an understanding (or maybe at least a partial understanding) of their existence.
Many things in our world exist. I believe, though, that existence as human beings is slightly different. If we see and touch a rock or a tree, we know and say that it exists. However, If we see a person who has lost the ability to think, move, speak and is only capable of breathing-- we have a harder time in saying that that person actively exists in the world. In my opinion, that's one of the mysteries of being human. We do not just limit our existence to our physical presence. We don't limit ourselves to just breathing in and breathing out. There is something more to our existence.
So this leads me to believe that---maybe--- it isn't really about whether we exist or not. I think the real question is, what does it mean for us to exist.
According to Lujipen, we need to take certain steps to be able to understand properly the meaning of our existence. For example, we have to understand that the world exists to everyone in a different way and that the world cannot exist without a human being.
From our lesson, what really struck me the most was that to be/to exist is to be spoken of, thought about or acted on. This posed so much questions for me. If no one speaks of us, thinks about us or interacts with us, does that mean that we cease to exist? Of course, the very fact that we are thinking, according to Descartes (Cogito Ergo Sum), leads us to believe that we do, in fact, exist. However, does this still mean that we exist for other people?
Take for example, the poor and the oppressed. Although there are a lot of efforts to help those in need, a lot of people still turn a blind eye towards them. People who are apathetic towards the marginalized do not speak of them, they do not think of them and they do nothing to help them. It would be as if they did not exist for them. So now I wonder---since existence is a crucial part of being human, does this mean that the poor and the oppressed are treated as "less-than-human" to these apathetic people? It pains me to think that something like that continually occurs in our society.
If we treat people as if they didn't exist, would we be partially stripping them of their humanity? Maybe. I guess, it is somewhat of a our responsibility to speak of, think of and act on the people who surround us. We cannot be apathetic to the world around us and the people who live in it as well. I guess, that it isn't enough to know that we are existing-- we have really do have to understand that we are in existence with other people. We are never alone.
If I may add, we co-exist in this world not only with other humans but with the 3 lower levels of being - the mineral, plants, and animals. We too can speak of, think of, and act on them. (Eve Avila, Philo 101A)
ReplyDeleteI guess the problem we experience with the poor people is not only we do not pay any attention to them, or if we do, we impose ourselves to them and do not really give them the chance to speak their voices out. In the way of "helping" them, most people think of them as if they're just mere numbers and figures which can't reaaly speak of themselves and just wait for us to act on them without understanding their view. In a way, we also strip off their very sense of existence and their ability to think.
ReplyDeleteMar Tan - (PH 101 C)
"There is something more to our existence" "What does it mean for us to exist" are really good things to ponder on. :)
ReplyDeleteLike what we've been discussing in class, it really just isn't about physically here or physically present. It does take the body + spirit. Not only that, there is the challenge for us to make the most out of the unification of body & spirit not only for ourself but for the sake & well being of others as well.
Which is why I really like how the connection between the oppressed & more privileged was mentioned. It could be considered as a challenge, or a responsibility actually, for our existence & as well as the existence of others. That way, it also allows us to do more & be more.
- FInina Muñoz (C)
"I think the real question is, what does it mean for us to exist."
ReplyDeleteThis is probably going to be one of my favorite lines from now on. I think another important point to look back to is Marcel's broken world. I guess when we don't mind the poor and oppressed we are adding more to the broken world. I think one step we all have to take is not to fall into the trap of being . Let's not be part of that ME generation. I think being Ateneans we've been tasked to create that space for everyone in the world to grow and develop in. Let's exist by acknowledging the existence of others.
I think the question, "What does it means for us to exist?", should be the question to ask ourselves. I believe in having an existential fulcrum, that is, finding a center/meaning outside ourselves. I agree with your point that we must always remember that we exist with other people and we don't exist in this world alone.
ReplyDeleteDiane Cheng (C)
I'm sure the question "What does it mean for us to exist?" still remains a mystery to most of us until this day. We are still searching for it. But it's disheartening when there's a possibility that the poor or the unfortunate might already have a response to this question, with a "there is no point in existing." Due to their circumstances, if not all, the majority of the poor are bound to feel hopeless, and the way we mistreat them worsens their helpless mentality. Sometimes we're too occupied in thinking with the term "I" as Wallace says, we forget to give attention to those in the surroundings who just might be going through worse and need attention more than we think we do.
ReplyDelete- Laura Hein (A)
Regarding the topic on the poor and oppressed people, in my opinion it is possible that their existence is somehow compromised. They may not even know why they exist at all, given their misfortunes in life. As the rather fortunate ones, I think it is our task to let them know they exist for a reason. We should appreciate them more, we should give what we can. Doing so will not only make them happy, but we'll make ourselves happy as well :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, this line: "I hardly think anyone wakes up in the morning and says to himself, 'I exist. Hooray!'" is an eye-opener. Philosophy challenges us to not just recognize our existence, but appreciate it too.
Charlene Syliangco Ph101 A
Existence is truly a difficult topic to think about and discuss. As you said, there are many interpretations about what it means to exist in this world. One of the most important things that we learned in class is that we, as human beings, are fundamentally "beings-with". Therefore, learning about ourselves and reflecting on our experiences entails the recognition that we live in a world with others as well. I think you're right that it is our responsibility to not just turn a blind eye on these oppressed people. Instead, we must do what we can to make them realize their worth and capabilities as a human being.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Sun (A)
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ReplyDeleteI think that the reason why human existence is different is that we are conscious that we are conscious. We are self-aware, and are innately afraid of death. Maybe that's why we see death of a fellow human being as a tragedy, as compared to an ant. That doesn't mean that an ant's life isn't valuable however. Everything in the world has value and as a being in this world existing with others, we are in unity and in harmony with other people. That's what it means to be in a world with other people. What is important is how we deal with this, and make the most out of this experience with other people.
ReplyDeleteMiguel Co (A)
I think that the mystery of our existence is something that is worth thinking about. For some, their existence is dependent on a special relationship with God. However not all people are religious, so does it mean that they do not exist? Of course not. Therefore, I think that we can only truly we exist if we go out of ourselves. Meaning not only is it about having the awareness that we are in a world with other people, but there should also be actions in improving the life of other people. This is because human beings cannot exist as an individual self. We need other people to exist. Can you imagine a world wherein you are the only human being? It would not be an existence worth living.
ReplyDeleteJohn Luciano A
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ReplyDeleteAnd that is precisely why it remains a mystery. And mystery is beauty. Topics on existence is really a complex and tough one, and yet till today, we are constantly bewildered by it.
ReplyDeleteBut here, I really like how you discussed it in the perception of existence in terms of what it means-- what does it mean for us to exist. What does it really mean to exist? I think in summary, to exist is to live. To exist is to be able to interact with people, to be able coexist with others and see the beauty and realness of it. I think to be able to paint a clearer of existence, we can again look at Heidegger's note on sophon and pakikisabayan, where our existence is zeroed in with the context of us, co-existing with others-- us harmonizing with others. :)
Denise Tan (A)
It does haunt me thinking that as many people ignore the poor and the oppressed, their sense of being, their humanity is stripped away, but I do believe in the idea that their existence isn't totally dependent on said apathetic people. I think what needs to be done is to help them (the poor and oppressed) see themselves as human beings, to show them that their existence has a reason.
ReplyDeleteJevin Sarmiento (C)