I thought if a person were put at a figurative wall and left there long enough, he could persevere and push through. Lately, I'm becoming skeptical. Any opinions?
2007-06-27 10:39:03 · 10 answers · asked by Candidus 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Diana, I don't know. Do you really think given enough time, motivation, and tutoring, you couldn't become absolutely anything you wanted to be?
2007-06-27 10:53:10 · update #1
I used to think so too. Then I reached an age and an infirmity level where, when I reached the wall, I could no longer gather the strength to push through.
The new aspect of the indomitable spirit became recognizing my limitations and accepting the new parameters, rather than just giving up all together.
2007-06-27 10:52:05 · answer #1 · answered by gldnsilnc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But *is* the human spirit indomitable? Either it's not, or human nature, to varying extents in individuals, blocks its power. Sometimes you just have to accept that a particular door is closed to you. For instance, I know for a fact that I could never become a nuclear physicist. Don't laugh! "Indomitable" implies something of an infinite nature.
Then again, there this (below). The trick is knowing whether you're at a plateau, are one blow away from achieving what you want, or if it's just not meant to be.
"When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stone-cutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it would split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before together."
-- Jacob A. Riis, journalist and social reformer (1849-1914)
2007-06-27 17:50:51 · answer #2 · answered by Diana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to agree with you, even though this outlook is entirely pessimistic.
Look at how the American Government is doing right now. They are vetoing research to potentially find a cure for life-altering diseases, doing nothing to fix global warming despite the large push in many European countries, remaining in Iraq because we are too coward to admit we have little left to do (or lose), and remaining stagnant on all of these issues.
Maybe this makes sense, Maybe I am rambling, but I think this is at least partially true.
2007-06-27 17:45:12 · answer #3 · answered by Hello there 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it`s worthy to note that many of the obstacles humans overcome-are obstacles people place in front of themselves.
These obstacles are in the subjective realm of reality. Objective obstacles like overcoming death by the human spirit willing itself not to grow old-is entirely implausible.
In the context of this question I`am going to consider subjective obstacles.
I think humans can overcome self made obstacles that are somewhat plausible. Humans stating that they want to fly one day is simply silly. However, humans desiring to decrease world suffering by eradicating the ills of war is plausible.
Yes, the human spirit can overcome plausible obstacles. However, it takes the combined effort and agreement of the masses to overcome a great many obstacles. One nation proposing the eradication of war by laying down there arms, is useless unless all nations follow.
We often mislead ourselves into thinking that what we face, and how we live is entirely up to ourselves or our own spirit.
Figuratively speaking, "It takes a village to raise a child."
2007-06-27 22:02:49 · answer #4 · answered by Future 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am positive that it can. The human spirit must follow the Holy Spirit and with your eyes on the Lord all things are possible to those who believe. The USA was built on this reality. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2007-06-27 18:40:43 · answer #5 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think as time has past we have become more compressed, dense, heavy, our spirit is not as light as it once was. It seems forces are at work to make us stupid overwhelmed, and tired. I think we must fight to keep our spirit light, and free.
2007-06-27 17:51:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Henry Ford was quoted as saying, "whether you think you can or you think you cant, you're right".
If you believe you can't achieve a thing, not only can you not achieve it, you'll have difficulty believing it's possible for anyone else.
Believe that you can, and you will.
2007-06-27 18:01:04 · answer #7 · answered by livemoreamply 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It can if one wants it bad enough. We just get lazy and selfish, that's why things are the way they are. Imagine how the world would be if we were all at our full potential!
2007-06-27 17:42:44 · answer #8 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hm I don't know i will walk around figuratively speaking any kind of wall.
2007-06-27 17:44:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can if it's invincible.
2007-06-27 18:12:47 · answer #10 · answered by shmux 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋