Encountering the mystery of life through the philosophy of Marcel

• Main Author: Chua, Sherie Lyn
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Subjects: Existentialism; Ethnophilosophy; Body; Human (Philosophy); Life; Mystery; Myth
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/1532
• Institution: De La Salle University

Life is very important that is why we must give it the attention that it needs. The study's aim to discuss how life can be experienced as a mystery and how this view of life as a mystery can help us promote genuine concern for life, for nature, and for all beings. The study begins with the discussion of the view of life during the primitive times which will show the condition of the people wherein the word science merely describes how things are applied in such a way that the main concern is for its usefulness and how it developed through centuries and how it began in this modern era. The discussion of changing worldviews will provide the readers comprehensible portrayal of the changing worldviews concerning science. The discussion of changing world views is crucial to the thesis to establish the point that there was a time when the world was originally whole , where the level of relationship showed reverence for life, for nature, and for fellow beings. The problem of scientism, which started during early seventeenth century, is the reason why one is incapable at this moment of experiencing life in its mystery. And how scientism-as a result of modern science--contributed to the different problems in life, as discussed by writers who are strongly against the method of it. This will establish the point why life viewed in this way is very dangerous. To argue against the methods and belief of scientism, Marcel's philosophy will be explored to justify why viewing life in mystery is necessary to foster a more spiritual level of relationship. In effect, there is reverence for life, for nature, and for fellow beings. One of the most significant parts of the thesis is the linking of the philosophy of Marcel with various experiences such as myths, symbols, and religious experience (in the light of Zen). The discussion of myths, symbols, and religious experience are different ways that will remind us of the philosophy of Marcel. Myths, symbols, and religious experience are different experiences in life that are personal and have never been influenced by scientism. That is why, the experience of them is genuine and unique.