EDITORIAL
Of MEANING, LACK OF MEANING and PURPOSE
Of all creatures on Earth, only man is capable of reflecting about himself and asking the reason behind his existence. Nietzsche said:“ Those who have a ‚ why‘ to live, can bear with almost any ‚ how‘”. For Viktor Frankl- the founder of Logotherapy, the third Viennese school of psychotherapy after Reich and Freud- life is about finding meaning in every situation, no matter how difficult- in your creative endeavors, in perceiving and experiencing the beauty in every situation, but also even in suffering and illness- by changing your own attitude. We experience joy, happiness, fulfillment and thus“ meaning” in a kind of“ flow“- whenever we are so immersed or captivated by something, that we forget time and forget everything around us – and afterwards perceive this as happiness. Aside from earthly happiness, people generally ask themselves about the meaning of life beyond that. Surveys have shown that over 90 % of people believe in transcendentalism,“ believe” in the broadest sense of the word- from belief within a religious community to the feeling of being one with nature and the cosmos. Theoreticians of evolution are only able to recognize“ purpose” rather than meaning in nature. Chance in the cosmic constellations gave birth to life on Earth. In evolution( and this also applies to the human body), only those who adapt and are purposefully organized will endure-“ Survival of the Fittest“. Possibly that is why spiritual people have managed to survive for such a long time- not least because of the social glue that comes from practicing a common faith. The German philosopher Wetz speaks of an“ indifferent universe” and grants himself and us freedom from meaning. He is more modest in his expectations, satisfied that we citizens of Europe have been able to live together peacefully for almost 70 years- despite mankind’ s innate aggression and after thousands of years of wars. Apparently we have learned that nationalism leads to catastrophe. The Enlightenment and the French Revolution brought us closer to tolerance, freedom, equality. In countries with the smallest disparities between poor and rich, people generally live a more stress-free and peaceful life. That it is not the“ strongman” who will deliver us- but instead that democracy, despite its many weaknesses, is to be nurtured and can be a guarantor of the wellbeing of us all. All of this comes one step before the big question of meaning- yet touches us existentially and, so seen, Wetz is sympathetic when he allows himself to be content with the next-to-last step and propagates: It is enough to have good relationships, enjoyment and- shopping not shooting!
In keeping with this, may you also find joy in the earthly things and pleasures presented to you on the following pages, be they“ purely purposeful, meaningless or meaning-full”.
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With best wishes,
Franz Schweiger Publisher www. tostmann. at office @ tostmann. at