PHIL 115 Lecture Notes - Psychological Manipulation, Political Philosophy, Totalitarianism
Document Summary
Marcel s distinction between a problem and a mystery. It s a worry of modern culture, diagnosing culture as being too nihilistic. The notion of mystery is a religious concept. However, marcel cannot rely on his personal views to express everything. He does not want to use the term mystery in the same way that we do in our time. It should not be taken to be what is not known (yet) or what is unknowable. The deeper parts of human existence are essentially mysteries. Mortality demands to be thought of, but it is not a problem that cannot be solved. In fact, it should not be approached as a problem; it isn t one. The same could be said for any other mystery, like suffering or human freedom. Any problem associated with the human condition is a non-issue. Love is a mystery; it can give rise to problems that may be resolved, but remains a mystery.