Aesthetic
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We all start in the life style Kierkegaard called "The Aesthetic
Life". This type of life has the following characteristics:
 | Don't confuse me with facts, I've already made up
my mind
The person assumes that their current situation, way of living, and horizon
of understanding is all that there is. There is no thought that there
might be another way of living beyond what's right in front of
us.
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| Will the next big thing make me feel alive ?
The persons life lacks continuity, something to hold it
together, [they are] forever seeking some gratification. There is a
lust for enjoyment. Enjoyment is in itself innocent, but here it
dominates. An Aesthetic life may be crude or refined, but it moves
from one thing to another and abhors the idea of commitment to any one
person or thing....SO it is a life made up of episodes of enjoyment; the
episodes are like beads on a string, with no internal connection ... a life
that ...lacks any cohesion between it's parts"1
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| If you've got it - flaunt it !
A person builds their life upon whatever natural attributes they have:
Brains, good looks, athletic ability, good voice, etc. These attributes
become key to the person's self identity. This identity "can be swept
away by an accident, such as an injury in sport, or by a stroke which can
reduce a genius to an idiot. Good looks fade and every voice grows
old. Then a life based on any one of these is gone ... that identity
no longer exists"2
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| The God of Novelty
What matters most in things and people is that they interesting.
"Whether things are good or bad is irrelevant. It is only a question of
"Is it interesting to me ?" The person wants to be
fascinated, thrilled, excited, entertained."3
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| I'm not the problem !
There is more concern for changing the environment than with changing the
self. "My troubles would be over if only I had a better job, our
if my spouse were more understanding, or if I just had a bit of luck."4
The person defines themselves and their success by these external factors. |
Note that a wide variety of life styles fit this way of seeing the
world. Both a drug addict and successful business man could be operating
in this mode. Many people practice their religion completely at this
level. Both artists and engineers can operate at this level. We all
have these characteristics to some degree. The question is "Are we
trapped here or can we rise to the next level of the ethical life ?"
1 page 58 -59
21 59
3
4 60.
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When the claims of Christ are
truly understood, there are only two choices: To bend one's knee or take
offence ... |
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