ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: Apink! on May 30, 2015, 03:22:19 pm
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I hear this word being tossed around a LOT
but to tell the truth, I don't really understand what they mean when someone says "human condition"...
What exactly is it?
Thank you in advance!
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I've always thought of it as any aspect of humans that makes us distinct from other species, but especially emphasising the intersection of our flaws with our virtues. Aristotle said that the nature of humans is to be rational - and I'd say that the things we can do because we are rational cause humans to both flourish and suffer. I think that's a big part of the human condition.
I'm not so sure it's the kind of term you should feel compelled to use in an essay, if you're unsure on its usage, but I'm no English tutor.
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It means the common essence of what it means to be human, totally separate from culture, race, era, gender, etc. I'd probably limit it strictly to the knowledge of one's own selfhood and mortality if I had to pick something: nothing else. Because I really don't believe in essentialism (that things/people have some kind of inviolable 'essence' separate from culture, morality, consensus, religion, etc) - at least not in any kind of significant way.
But... a lot of people do. So, when people use the phrase 'human condition', they usually use it as a vehicle for whatever they personally class as something innate to all humans, merely by virtue of being human - but saying that their opinion on that is objective and not open to change, difference or subjective disagreement. So, mostly I think it's fluffy, overwritten, horribly generalised bullshit ;)
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Thank you meganrobyn and achre!!
I really appreciate your answers, and I think I have a clearer idea on what human condition is!!
Much thanks!