Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then or bear with them.
– Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
I’ve been wondering recently if any of us, on our own, can be completely human. First, let me clarify, because I can be more than confusing on most occasions.
There are things and people that I want to be. Characteristics and philosophies I want to embody. Those of us who are spiritually inclined adopt the idea that there is a “called” disposition we are designed to lean toward. However, while all of these things are good and honorable pursuits, can we ever achieve them all on our lonesome?
I wonder what we would consider “good” were it not for the examples of good and evil we see inside of each other? Every tiny interaction – a nod of the head, eyes met across the restaurant, an incorrectly dialed phone number, a lifelong friend – is ingrained within us and we are forever changed, no matter to what degree.
In Christianity, we say that when people get married that “the two … become one flesh.” What were they before? Two halves of one person? Two whole people living full half lives? I believe that love (romanitcally, platonically, or some kind of halvsie) can be described as a being made complete by the presence of someone else in one’s life.
The only way to be truly human is to exist in some manifestation of humanity. Specifically, community. Every culture in the world puts paramount importance on the bonds of its families, the brotherhood of its militaries, its stories and manifestations of love. Our ever-presence in each other’s lives inspire us all to be that ideal person we feel we are somewhere in our insides. What is a human without humanity? If there’s not some person or group of people in our lives that we would shed blood or tears for, we are far from ever being truly human. We ought not even say we are human, rather intersecting strands of silk in the web of humanity, crossing over and under one other – adding strength, structure, a foundation and relevance.
However much we would like to believe we define ourselves, we – in truth – ultimately define one another.
There is no you or me. Only us and we.
Filed under: Philosophy, Sociology
