"
Malevolent Universe Premise" = the view that the universe is somehow inherently hostile to man. Who exactly holds this odd view, and if this was the case, how man might have survived thus far in what is undoubtedly a cosmically unfair matchup is not clearly explained.
I read this as a reaction to existentialists, her interpretation of the notion that humans automatically feel anxiety and dread because of our awareness of death.
ReplyDeleteWho holds this view?
ReplyDeleteJust off the top of my head I can think of at least a few.
1. Edvard Munch, painter of "The Scream." His inspiration for the painting in his own words is as follows: "I was walking along a path with two friends—the sun was setting—suddenly the sky turned blood red—I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence—there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city—my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety—and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.
2. Christians and Muslims. Both have a strong belief that this Earth is not our "real" home, but rather a testing ground to decide which will be our eternal home - heaven or hell.
3. People who commit suicide from a deep sense of unhappiness and depression. Those who, no matter how hard they try, cannot find fulfillment in this life so opt out of it.
4. People who don't commit suicide but still experience a deep sense of unhappiness and depression. Those who, no matter how hard they try, cannot find fulfillment in this life and would like to opt out of it, but lack the guts to do so.
I would guess that the universe is potentially as hostile towards humans as it was to dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteAnd nature is very often a bitch.