Lately, I have found myself immersed in deep reflections, spurred on by my classes in the counseling program at Palo Alto University. While these classes center around the exploration of our “worldview” as prospective licensed therapists, they have prompted me to delve even deeper. It is not just about how we view the world, but about our fundamental understanding of what it means to be human.
As I reflect on the core elements of my worldview—or “anthropological understanding,” as I prefer to think of it—I keep going back to some of my readings on philosophical anthropology. This has inspired a whirlwind of ideas and questions. And so, I have decided to share these reflections with you. Over the next few weeks, I will be diving into a few core concepts that have shaped philosophical thought about our human existence.
The title of the series is “Life as an act of…” and it will touch on various topics that permeate our daily lives. Here’s a sneak peek:
- Consumption: Delving into one aspect of the “Homo economicus” – the rational, self-interested human who plays a pivotal role in our consumer-driven society.
- Creation: Reflecting on “Homo faber” – the creative, tool-making side of us that brings dreams to reality.
- Will: Examining “Homo volens” – the force of our will that propels us forward, combined with desire, shaping our destinies.
- Play: Celebrating “Homo ludens” – the playful, joyous aspect of humanity that finds pleasure in leisure and fun.
I picked these concepts not because they are the most important or most impactful, but because more recently they have resonated a lot with my own experiences, struggles, and ways of understanding the world.
While we will venture into philosophical territories, I promise to keep things grounded. Each post will offer food for thought and will also provide actionable tips. Hopefully, you will be inspired to integrate some of these insights into your daily life. And one more thing: the blog posts of this series are a little longer than usual as we try to bridge philosophical concepts with concrete life experiences. Be warned!
The theoretical foundation for this blog series is based on the work of two Italian scholars, Battista Mondin and Franco Imoda. Although I will not cite or reference them in each post, I would like to recognize their impact on my “anthropological understanding.”
So, whether you are someone seeking self-improvement or just curious about the intricacies of human nature, there is something here for you. Let’s embark on this journey together, exploring, understanding, and celebrating the multifaceted nature of our existence.
Stay tuned, engage in the discussions, and let’s rediscover the wonders of being human together!
See you next week with the first blog post of this series.
Roque Neto 