--- In rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, Patrick King <abrasax93@...> wrote:
>
> I believe "shit happens," but "grace happens" too.
>
> ********************************************
>
> This is something that has always bothered me about those dopey
bumper stickers. When does grace "happen"? Whenever I have had the
pleasure of seeing grace it inevitably comes from careful,
conscientious training. It is sometimes replete in ones upbringing,
but it never just "happens." Shit on the other hand is solid waste and
when you gotta go, you gotta go.
>
But life is not a work of engineering. Also, to an existentialist,
life has no grand purpose. And wouldn't training preclude grace from
being perceived? I mean, from your description it would be an output
resulting from certain inputs and intermediate processes, all of them
consciously planned. Since we are dealing with psychological states, I
doubt that the engineering analogy holds water. I think the work of
Paul Tillich (from a Christian point of view) is very relevant here,
as mentioned by another poster, but this is not the place to discuss
it. As to solid waste, the Buddhists embrace it because it is what
permits the other part, the good part, to exist. It is inseparable
from it.
What about Marlowe? Is he an existential hero? He is not grim, but I
do think he is an existentialist. Sorry to come back to Marlowe, but I
don't think we have explored him sufficiently in this list.
Best,
mrt
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