Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals

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Gray claims the West waged the war on drugs because of our belief in progress, which also implies that happiness is within reach for all of us. He says “Societies founded on a faith in progress cannot admit the normal unhappiness of human life. As a result, they are bound to wage war on those who seek an artificial happiness in drugs.” Humans thrive in conditions that morality condemns. The peace and prosperity of one generation stand on the injustices of earlier generations; the delicate sensibilities of liberal societies are fruits of war and empire. The same is true of individuals. Gentleness flourishes in sheltered lives; an instinctive trust in others is rarely strong in people who have struggled against the odds. We are living in a time that freedom of speech is only tolerated by most intellectuals if it conforms to certain beliefs. Susan George as Amy Sumner in 1971's Straw Dogs, which was filmed in west Cornwall (Image: Getty Images)

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If philosophy or broad ideas aren’t your thing then don’t read this post. Philosophy won’t play a significant role in this blog.Humans think they are free, conscious beings, when in truth they are deluded animals. At the same time they never cease trying to escape from what they imagine themselves to be. Their religions are attempts to be rid of a freedom they have never possessed. In the twentieth century, the utopias of Right and Left served the same function. Today, when politics is unconvincing even as entertainment, science has taken on the role of mankind's deliverer.” Gray, John (2016). The Soul of the Marionette: A Short Inquiry into Human Freedom. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0241953907. Isn’t it insane that with all of this status-seeking, education, and entertainment, we’re likely not happier because of it? Most people I know have plenty of entertainment and education and aren’t happy (no one ever has enough status). We constantly hope the future will be better, which is a testament to our unhappy lives. John Gray is a European philosopher who I have found to be enlightening and at the same time disheartening in some ways, yet I agree with him on probably 95% of his ideas.

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I would argue that the government desperately attempts to make people feel useful, so it ups the requirements for every job we can think of and the professions themselves form guilds that create requirements to artificially up the salary of the profession.Gray, John (2002). Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans & Other Animals. London: Granta Books. ISBN 978-1862075122. But people are just as addicted to drugs as ever. We spent 1.5 trillion dollars on the War On Drugs, without even a slight change in the drug addiction rate. Yet I’m sure the wagers of this war got a lot of press and votes by the public. 11) Our conscious mind plays a very small role, and we resist this because it strips us from a sense of control Tony Burns (1999). "John Gray and the death of conservatism". Contemporary Politics. 5 (1): 7–24. doi: 10.1080/13569779908449987.

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Darwin has shown that we are animals. Unlike any other animal, we are told, we are free to live as we choose. Yet the idea of free will does not come from science. Its origins are in religion – not just any religion, but the Christian faith against which humanists rail so obsessively. We need not doubt the reality of truth to reject this Socratic faith. Human knowledge is one thing, human wellbeing another. There is no predetermined harmony between the two. The examined life may not be worth living. History and Meaning: BBC Radio 4 – A Point of View – Episodes by date, November 2014". bbc.co.uk. BBC . Retrieved 28 November 2014. Nassim Nicholas Taleb has written that John Gray is the modern thinker for whom he has the most respect, calling him "prophetic". [25] Criticism [ edit ]

Schopenhauer wrote: ‘ What history relates is in fact only the long, heavy and confused dream of mankind.’

Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals

Straw dogs takes a very pessimistic philosophical view of humanity, which sets out to challenge our most cherished assumptions about what it means to be human. By showing we aren’t much different to animals John Gray puts forward the argument for a more humble view of humanity. One that does away with the religious hopes and dreams and also critiques the role science has played in replacing religion as the hope of humanity.The only occupations that produce innovation and make society better are those that have no requirements except raw talent and skill. Occupations that are truly innovative are very difficult and create their own barriers to entry. To be a great software developer or engineer you have to be really intelligent and have lots of knowledge. There’re no regulations that require you to have a degree in this area to practice it, like law. Snowden got hired by the NSA with a GED and no college degree because he simply had the skills. How this idea can help us: When we recognize that “we” aren’t in control, it will help us let go and experience less anxiety. 12) The unexamined life may be worth living