I this post, I will briefly sketch Marcel’s concept of being and having.
Gabriel Marcel’s “Being and Having” is a philosophical work that explores the relationship between being and having in human existence. Marcel argues that the modern world has become obsessed with the idea of having, which has led to a neglect of the importance of being. Marcel believes that this focus on having has resulted in a loss of the sense of community and personal relationships that are essential for human existence.
Marcel begins by exploring the concept of having, which he sees as a product of the modern world. Having is associated with possessions, wealth, and power, and it is seen as the key to happiness and success. Marcel argues that this emphasis on having has led to a neglect of the importance of being, which is related to personal relationships, community, and the transcendent.
Marcel believes that being is essential for human existence, as it is related to personal relationships and the sense of community. Being is not something that can be possessed or acquired, but it is something that must be lived and experienced. Marcel argues that the modern world has lost sight of the importance of being, which has led to a loss of community and personal relationships.
Marcel’s critique of the modern world is closely connected to his Catholic faith. Marcel sees the loss of community and personal relationships as a symptom of the secularization of society, which has led to a neglect of the spiritual dimension of human existence. Marcel argues that human beings are not just material beings, but are also spiritual beings who need to connect with something beyond themselves in order to find meaning and purpose in life.
Marcel’s approach to the relationship between being and having is also related to his critique of capitalism. Marcel argues that capitalism is based on the idea of having, and that it encourages individuals to see themselves as consumers rather than as human beings with a spiritual dimension. Marcel believes that capitalism is responsible for the loss of community and personal relationships, as it encourages individuals to pursue their own self-interest at the expense of others.
Marcel’s approach to the relationship between being and having is also relevant to contemporary debates in philosophy. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in relational and dialogical approaches to philosophy, which emphasize the importance of relationships and dialogue in human existence. Marcel’s work can be seen as a precursor to this approach, and his emphasis on the importance of personal relationships and community remains relevant today.
In conclusion, Gabriel Marcel’s “Being and Having” is a thought-provoking work that explores the relationship between being and having in human existence. Marcel argues that the modern world has become too focused on the idea of having, which has led to a neglect of the importance of being. Marcel believes that being is essential for human existence, as it is related to personal relationships, community, and the transcendent. Marcel’s critique of the modern world is closely connected to his Catholic faith, and his work remains relevant today in the context of contemporary debates about the importance of personal relationships and community in human existence.