State of Flux

The World is observed as constantly changing. Change is observed and often unobserved but later discovered. Therefore, even when we are not observing change the world is changing frequently -- in fact, the world is never staying the same.

This is a Heraceletian argument for the nature of change in the world. He claimed that everything was perpetually in a state of flux. Is it? When you consider things on a subatomic level, the molecules, that form bonds are constantly breaking apart and starting new bonds. At this level there seems to be something to the argument -- everything is in a constant state of flux. Everything we see is something that is in a constant state of change, although we may not notice. Decay, is the constant state of being. Even human beings age; cells die, they divide and after a few years you have an entirely new body (so to speak).

Today was good, and I was just reflecting on change because I realize that the human being is a very adaptable creature. Whether we suffer from the caustic pain of our emotions running through our minds at the heights of human drama, or if we need to heal and repair through fierce physical strain; the human body, the human being, is remarkable. Even the most pessimistic individual, using her pessimism, can establish some means of coping with the world around her.

So, "Things change, or are in flux" and "the human being can cope with this change". I believe this tells us a little about the human condition. Yes, sometimes being "stuck inside" of your own head, limited to your own perceptual experiences can feel alienating. Not knowing what is happening in your own life can be that much worse. But if we need to, we can pull through and fight against the adversity in our own lives and form, through the madness, a sense of purpose.

It follows from these claims that this change is not to be feared. Coping with the change should serve as a motivating factor for believing that it is not to be feared. For the average, "balanced" (using the term loosely) person there should be no cause for concern over the vicissitudes of life.

In fact, perhaps we should concern ourselves more with separating ourselves from those things which produce pain. Perhaps the Buddha's answer is the correct one. Focus more on helping your fellow man (like Jesus) and take worry not about the drama of petty, fickle, and often morally bankrupt people. You can live your life in a more productive way without sharing in their petty concerns.