The philosopher Thomas Nagel’s famous article, “The Absurd,” concludes, “If sub specie aeternitatis there is no reason to believe that anything matters, then that doesn’t matter either, and we can approach our absurd lives with irony instead of heroism or despair.”
I’ve quoted that statement before, but until recently, I hadn’t realized that some people find it uplifting. One online reader remarks, “This is the most beautiful thing I've ever read.”
Let’s think about it. If it is true that nothing matters, then what difference does it make whether we live ironically, heroically, or in despair?
Forgive me for being obvious, but if it does make a difference, then something does matter.
Our task, should we choose to remain men – and we always have the option of declining -- is to find out what.
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Déjà Vu, Part 1 of 2
Déjà Vu, Part 1 of 2