I would like to begin this post by saying
that the words “philosophical hero” sound like such a perfect thing. “Kierkegaard
was Unamuno’s philosophical hero…” What!? It gives me such a warm feeling. I’m sure if Kierkegaard was alive when Unamuno
was, he would appreciate that. Unamuno would probably appreciate that too. They’ve
got each other’s philosophical backs.
Moving on – Unamuno.
This reading came at an interesting time. I
was thinking yesterday in class, when discussing Dostoevsky’s Underground Man
that it’s easy to justify something. So even if it may seem like one would be
acting through defiance and without all reason, one can create a reason for it,
and make it seem advantageous. Can turn
the hand stabbed by the pencil into a statement against a materialistic society
or something of the sort.
Thoughts lead to actions and these actions solidify
our virtue, right?
Nope.
He is essentially asserting that we’re
doing everything all wrong. And in a believable way!
We have this virtue. I will define this “virtue”
to the best of my understanding as something that individuals inherently have
within themselves, something of a moral compass, their character, essentially. And then one acts. And then one thinks about
their actions if one thinks at all. But actions should never be based off of
some belief system or bank of thought.
Because those belief systems are
illegitimate. Merely justifications for behavior that would happen regardless
of whether or not those belief systems were even in place.
Follow
your heart! That is so cheesy, but he
makes it sound so good. At first it seems like acting in such a way would be the easy way out (as the saying goes). But it takes a lot of confidence to do. I use my justifications as a shield to protect me.
Unamuno believes shields crack. And then I'm facing enemies with nothing. But, if I don't take a shield, then I wouldn't even have enemies to protect myself from.
I don’t think he’s crazy. Am I going to
adopt this view? Probably not, but it’s going to remain there for some time, in
the back of my mind.
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