What doesn't work in the literal sense can still succeed in the figurative sense. This golden rule has proven its validity many times in history.
Although earthly immortality is still unattainable, we can leave something behind, which may continue to exist after our death.
Here I'll make a personal turn in this lecture because while preparing this lecture I realized that this is exactly what I have been doing lately: making myself immortal in the figurative sense.
On November 8, 2023 my wife died suddenly. You can imagine my grief and without thinking I began to write little poems about it and in April 2024 I published my poetry collection.
Apart from the fact that a lot of family and friends received a copy, the book was also accepted by the local public library.
After this publication, I kept on writing, while my physical condition seriously deteriorated, which made me end up in the hospital for 8 days.
After that episode, I continued writing. I wanted a second volume and this time with a "happy" ending. Volume 2 is at the printer's now and I will publish it on November 8, 2024, at a family gathering.
In volume 2 there is a little poem, which more or less points at my intuitive wish and conviction, that this was the way to live on beyond our death, my wife and me. This was before I was working on our present project.
jij en ik you and me
uit tranen geboren born from tears
woorden die niet words that
verloren mogen gaan should not be lost
Ik schrijf ze op I write them down
laat ze drukken have them printed
op papier on paper
de herinnering bijft the memory remains
zo blijven wij hier in that way we stay
This is how i made us immortal. My body will eventually too turn to ashes, but the product of my heart and mind will remain.
There are many other ways to become "immortal".Think of setting up a foundation, setting up a business, or building a house. We can also 'pass something on' to others, such as through education or mentorship, but also through parenthood and upbringing.
Parenthood and raising children is perhaps the best candidate for both 'passing something on' and 'leaving something behind'. You pass on norms, values, ideas and knowledge to your children, and they usually continue to live for a while after you are gone.
They can also provide further offspring so that something of you really does live on. This brings the meaningful goal of immortality a little closer, although it is a small consolation for your physical mortality.
All over the world, both biological and non-biological offspring are a source of meaning. However, it is good to keep in mind that figurative immortality extends beyond offspring alone. It also concerns the impact that people can have on others outside of family ties.
Think of teachers who have a formative and lasting influence on their students, mentors who guide young people through crucial moments in their lives, artists who create masterpieces that inspire generations, or people who can bring about small or large social changes.
It really crossed my mind. I have been a college teacher for thirty years and occasionally I thought: I teach all these hundreds of students insights and skills, which they will take with them into their future.
In all these cases, we pass on something that does not stop at our own existence. Figurative immortality is therefore an achievable meaningful goal and it is a nice feeling when you see you really can achieve something in that respect.
Thank you for your attention again........
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
28 - Why Am I Here 6 Sept 2024 / 1139
[13:19] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman
[13:20] herman Bergson: I think figurative immortality is an interesting aspect of life.
[13:20] Max Chatnoir: I hope you will give us a link to your publications.
[13:21] herman Bergson: They are not online Max, only in print
[13:21] Scarlett Auster: thank you Herman, I think it is an interesting part of life, too, like what we leave behind and all of the forms that can take
[13:21] herman Bergson: I am the publisher myself
[13:22] Sookie Hart (sookicatalina): To build on what Scarlett said, what comes to mind is the idea of "legacy." Most people need to feel that they are leaving something of lasting value when they pass away. It is their legacy.
[13:22] herman Bergson: Yes Scarlet....and I slowly realize that I have that intuition...not a conscious drive....
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): there are so many who have done that through poetry, music, art pieces
[13:22] herman Bergson: but due to this project I begin to realize what I am doing
[13:23] herman Bergson: That is what culture is, Gemma...
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Exactly
[13:23] herman Bergson: the spiritual immoortality of those on whose shoulders we stand
[13:24] Scarlett Auster: it's also interesting about what you said about teaching.. in that way, you are leaving behind your concepts, ideas, and insights, and the students are taking that forward forever within themselves, even they don't always directly tie those ideas to your name
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very good thought
[13:24] herman Bergson: I can give you an example....
[13:25] herman Bergson: In 1995 Ruben Oppenheimer was a student of mine at the Academy of Art.... he studied graphic and illustrative design...
[13:25] herman Bergson: Does anyone of you know this name?
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not the Ruben
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the name is familiar
[13:26] Max Chatnoir: No
[13:26] Scarlett Auster: no I don't
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ah i see
[13:26] herman Bergson: He is a famous cartoon maker in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe...
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): https://www.instagram.com/rloppenheimer/?hl=en
[13:27] herman Bergson: I guess you may find him in Google...
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): there
[13:27] herman Bergson: Ahhh
[13:27] herman Bergson: anyway....
[13:27] herman Bergson: He hated what I taught....computer skills
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and the Iran cartoon looks sort of like you
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I'm Sorry!
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I'm sorry..
[13:28] herman Bergson: Then about 10 years later...he already had a career I ran into him....
[13:28] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): hahhaha i know these guys on the pictures
[13:28] herman Bergson: and you know what he said...???
[13:28] herman Bergson: herman....Now I am glad you taught me to handle computers...Now I understand :-)
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ahh
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): your legacy
[13:29] herman Bergson: He does everything digitally now
[13:30] Scarlett Auster: that's so cool that he said that to you.. a good example of one of your students remembering what you passed on
[13:30] Max Chatnoir: Wonderful, Herman
[13:30] herman Bergson: So...I like the feeling that comes with the observation, that you exist and go on outside yourself in others and other objects
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I am glad it brings you peace
[13:31] herman Bergson: Yes....it relates to the meaning of life....
[13:31] Scarlett Auster: what is your take on the meaning of life?
[13:32] herman Bergson: Why am I here?
[13:32] herman Bergson: There is one thing to keep in mind first....
[13:33] herman Bergson: when we have a word, we are strongly inclined to look for the thing it refers to.... one word...one reference....
[13:33] herman Bergson: That is often true but not always
[13:34] herman Bergson: So asking for the meaning of life is not asking for one single description or definition
[13:34] herman Bergson: The word "meaning" can refer to a multitude of öbjects"
[13:35] herman Bergson: Wittgenstein already pointed at the problem
[13:35] herman Bergson: Take the word game...what is a game?
[13:36] herman Bergson: There is not one single unique definition or description that explains the meaning of such a word
[13:37] Max Chatnoir: No, that's a big one.
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: checkers, chess, Monopoly, stock market, political campaigns....
[13:38] herman Bergson: So, my take on the meaning of life...I guess, it may have something to do with all I have said today for the time being :-)
[13:38] herman Bergson: Yes Max
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that works
[13:39] Scarlett Auster: yes, that makes sense to me too, what you've said - about the meaning of life being tied to what we are here to do and leave and pass on, and also what we are here to learn
[13:39] Sookie Hart (sookicatalina): I guess most people feel that one of the reasons they are here or a way to give meaning to their lives is by passing on their knowledge or genes (by having children) or their art or whatever their legacy is
[13:40] bergfrau Apfelbaum: mhm ...the meaning of life lies in life itself, if you give it meaning....
[13:40] herman Bergson: As I said...we are standing on the shoulder of those who lived before us...
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very true
[13:40] Max Chatnoir: and holding hands with those who live in community with us.
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): love that idea
[13:41] herman Bergson: hardly three lectures in this project and we already have found a meaning of life :-)))
[13:41] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now what to do
[13:42] herman Bergson: yeah...indeed Gemma....lol...are we done?
[13:42] Scarlett Auster: haha and it's only my first time ever and we've already hit my favorite topic - the meaning of life lol
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: keep your eyes open and a hand free?
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): there must be more
[13:42] herman Bergson: You can leave with an A+ Scarlet...
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I am sure Beertje
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): always is
[13:43] Scarlett Auster: ha! thanks herman
[13:43] herman Bergson: No worries....there is more :-)
[13:43] herman Bergson: But I'll save that for next Thursday :-))
[13:44] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): 😀
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): will try to make it
[13:44] bergfrau Apfelbaum: Thank you Hermand and class!
[13:44] herman Bergson: So, thank you all again....hope to see you next lecture again
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): depends on the company
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:44] herman Bergson: Class dismissed ....
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