Sylph Angel

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Hey guys, since I need to post and also do homework, I'll use my homework as a post.

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What do you understand by the term 'human flourishing'?

Truthfully, I do not really understand that term yet. According to the dictionary, 'human' is something relating to or concerning people, and 'flourishing' refers to something that is successful, active or common. However, all the dictionary does is describe the word's usage. It does not really delve into the meaning of 'human flourishing'. In order to do that, it is necessary to look within ourselves, which is what I will do.

Yet, we must first ask ourselves a fundamental question: is the human race really flourishing?

Ask anyone to name problems with the world, and you will come up with a very long list for almost everyone you meet. Almost all of these problems relate to the human race in some negative way, as demonstrated in class. If we are already plagued with countless blemishes, how can we still be counted as 'flourishing'?

Perhaps people are clinging on to the dictionary's description. Humans could be considered successful. We have come up with mind-boggling inventions, like computers, which most people will consider a great success. Humans could also be considered active. Although some people seem to be permanent fixtures to sofas, the are also those who travel the world, exercise, and so on. Humans can be considered common too. We can be found in nearly every corner of the the globe, from Antarctica to Siberia to the Sahara.

However this does not come without consequences. Our "progresses" come with consequences. Take deforestation for example. In our quest for wood and farming land, we have desecrated millions of acres of forests. We have burnt countless tons of fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases in the masses. With all those forests, the "lungs" of the world, lost as well, we are facing a predicament known as enhanced greenhouse effect, which messes up the climate of Earth. This in turn results in the human race facing many difficulties.

So, what does 'human flourishing' really mean, with all these flaws coming with it?

I believe 'human flourishing' refers to the ability of people to be at peace with their surroundings. A time where problems do not seem to exist anymore, when people are truly happy about being alive. Then, and only then, will we flourish in this world.

Of course, I also believe in keeping an open mind. I always take other notions into consideration, and never mark them as wrong... Just different. The thing about school is that you are either correct or wrong, different people just burn, falling in ashes.

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This is part 1 out of 3. It's supposed to be 500 words for all three parts, no verbal diarrhoea. Well I can't help it. When I let my thoughts flow, they just flow.

Cross country today. 4.8km of stupidity, followed by another 3.2km of slacking. I don't want to talk about it.

Speaking about not speaking, I've just kinda been mass rejected by certain people on MSN, so in my resentment, I will keep that busy thing up until those people talk to me. Oh, if you're reading this, it's not you. You can still message me anytime you want.

Bye.

vεﯠαחƒőχ @ 6:49:00 PM.