Is moderation mere Stoical indifference to experienced, worldly pleasure and pain? Yes and No. Yes, certainly modulated emotional response to pleasure and pain, to worldly victory and defeat, is a way of gaining and demonstrating self-possession. Negatively viewed and practiced, muted emotional response is a survival mechanism to protect the psyche from being shattered or damaged by sentimental overreaction or robot-like inability to feel anything.
The mature, individuating adult is more rational than emotional in reaction to what goes on in his life each day, but feelings felt, acknowledged and expressed are the best way to stay psychologicallyhealthy, in the long run, as long as, at the same time, the agent does not ever forego his facility for seeing things objectively and accurately.
No moderation is not just emotional indifference and limited response to daily happenings in our lives. It includes that but is much more: it is a balanced, reasonable approach to living and experiencing many things, one right after the other. It is also feeling actively and consciously what occurs to one everyday. It is also a spiritual and ethical stance when faced with and barraged by incoming activity and news from the world out there.
No comments:
Post a Comment