Thursday, January 13, 2005

I didn't have classes today, but I had to go to school for two appointments. When I came back to the coop, it was snowing heavily. It didn't feel too cold, and so I decided to head out for a jog. It's really nice to have the snow falling happily on you, especially when the temperature isn't freezing. I was just staring for a few seconds vertically up at a streetlamp that illuminated the snow, and seeing and feeling the latter descending right on my face, against the dark evening sky.

yesterday, i had a class in existentialism. i am in love with the energetic atmosphere, the teacher and the interesting students in it. i wish i dont' have to drop the class because of some other requirements. i am continuosly drawn to existentialist stories and ideas. of course, i don't know this philosophy entirely well, but it is appealing on an intuitive level. I took an intro to philosophy class back in college, and existentialism was something i could respond to, emotionally and intuitively. i have read a couple of novels by existentialist writers, like The Stranger and the Myth of Sisyphus by Camus, and Nausea and the Age of Reason by Satre. Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse is one of my favourites, but i wonder if he is one of them? Both Camus and Satre believe in the idea that God does not exist. I, on the other hand, have the faith that God exists. Nevertheless, in spite of this fundamental difference, i feel that there are elements in existentialism that really strike a chord with me. After reading the stories by Camus, and Satre, i certainly feel that I have some things i could learn from them and incorporate into my interpretation of life, without compromising my faith and journey with Christ. You see, existentialists strongly desire freedom . They honestly and diligently search for it. To me, Christ is also about freedom. Maybe they have different ways of looking for or attaining freedom, but the desire or even obsession remains. Or if i am mistaken about any aspect of existentialism, please let me know.






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