Acting based on the 'correct answer' within oneself
While reading a certain book, I came across a statement that 'modern people are self-contained'.
It was written something like, 'Modern people think that when they hear a story that sounds a bit profound, they can immediately adopt it, and based on that, judge, declare, and make conclusions about everything'.
Indeed, it seems that social media is full of 'answers'. And we tend to empathize with those answers. Then, we adopt them and use them to make judgments.
Finding the 'answer' within oneself. And believing in it. Sometimes it's called having a 'self-axis', but phrases like 'think with your own head', 'find what you want to do yourself', and 'act based on your own axis' are often used.
Regarding this point, the book includes a quote from Ortega.
But today, modern people have very rigid 'ideas' about everything that happens in the world, or everything that should happen. If they have everything they need within themselves, why should they listen to others? Now, there is no reason to listen; rather, there is a reason to judge, declare, and make conclusions.
If your own thoughts exist clearly and rigidly within you, if you have everything within yourself, then why,should you listen to others? Now, there is no reason to listen.
it says.
......Indeed.
Modern people who find the 'answer' within themselves are truly self-contained. And they act according to their own thoughts. Or rather, Ortega says they judge, declare, and make conclusions.
They live with the attitude that they can judge, declare, and make conclusions about anything based on the 'correct answer' within themselves.
It may go without saying, but Ortega is critical of this characteristic of modern people.
Ortega says, 'Egoism is a labyrinth.' If you intend to walk egocentrically only within your own life, you will not advance, but will go around in circles in the same place.
Those who do not actually feel that they are lost are undoubtedly lost. In other words, they will never find themselves, nor will they ever encounter their own reality.
Modern people think for themselves and act toward the 'correct answer' within themselves. They do not think for a moment that they are 'lost'.
However, the book states that there is no lost person more troublesome than one who does not realize they are lost. That is quite scathing.
That is why Ortega says that modern people, who are never lost, do not realize their anxiety, and have a 'correct answer' within themselves, are 'enviably composed'.
......I feel like I see people like that often......
Perhaps doubts like 'maybe this isn't okay' or 'maybe this is wrong' are quite often directed at others.
'That's why that guy is...' or 'That guy is no good...' or more abstractly 'People like this are no good...', such things are flying around in both the real world and on social media.
But because they live a self-contained life, that vector is not directed at themselves.
Ortega does not say, 'Modern people are lost, but they should get out of being lost.'
To break through the self-contained nature that seems like a labyrinth, it is necessary to 'recognize that you are lost, that you yourself are lost, and to be with that confusion'.
This means admitting that you are lost and disturbed, and you cannot remain composed.
Ortega does not deny being lost itself. Rather, it means that one should have a certain kind of anxiety and vigilance, knowing that one carries precariousness, and should have a rich and tense curiosity to be attentive to what is happening in the world.
This meansdoubting yourself. It is the exact opposite vector to believing in yourself, being self-contained, and having an 'answer' within yourself.
Having written this far, I want to say, aren't there many people like that? Especially on social media, but that line of thought contains the possibility that one is not able to doubt oneself, who is none other than oneself.
Therefore, I think it is important to first doubt with vigilance and curiosity whether what you think is the answer is really correct. I wonder if even this text is correct...
Now, this modern person who does not doubt themselves, has no shred of anxiety, and is completely composed. Ortega describes them this way, but on the other hand, there is also the question of whether that is really the case.
The modern age is also called the age of anxiety.
If I were to name one textbook-like book about such anxiety, I think it would be this book by Carnegie.
In a word, I think this book is a 'bible for anxiety'.
What? You're anxious!? Just take action! Once you do, you'll find that you're no longer anxious before you know it! That's the kind of tone this book has.
When I started working, I was so anxious that I read this book almost like a bible.
It's actually true. When you're feeling uneasy, all sorts of thoughts come up, you can't take action, and you become even more anxious. So, you stop thinking for a moment and just act; as a result, outcomes follow, and before you know it, you're no longer anxious (you reach a state where you're too busy to be anxious).
Such a gung-ho, macho anxiety buster has become a bestseller.
That's why I feel that when we talk about modern people being self-sufficient, it's not really the case; in reality, it's closer to the truth that they are intentionally stopping their thoughts by using an anxiety buster.
And while that might be a 'foolish lost child who doesn't realize they are lost,' I think there is a value system that says that's okay too.
Recently, I read 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' less often. I think my gung-ho, macho way of thinking has calmed down quite a bit now that I'm past my 30s.
When that happens, you end up 'getting lost' (laughs).
Ah, perhaps it splits into two patterns here.
In other words, whether you realize you are a lost child, or whether you criticize others as being 'lost children'.
That's the Ortega story from earlier.
If you become self-sufficient here, if you don't listen to others, you might become someone who acts on their own 'correct answer,' saying 'that guy is no good'.
But you don't know if that's right or wrong, so... hmm, I wonder... ah... is this what it means to doubt yourself...
I've come full circle. I am lost; this is no time to be calm. I must notice my anxiety, and with caution and curiosity, go find what to take in next, or I will forever remain self-sufficient only within my own 'correct answer'.
With that said, I realize I am living a life of constant wandering, but I believe the response to that was in the continuation of the philosophy of the smartphone era, so if you are interested, please read it, and I would like to touch upon the discussion that follows this book somewhere else again.
So, while this text itself feels like it keeps wandering, 'Make today the best day ever.'