Ideas from 'The Trouble with Being Born' by E.M. Cioran [1973], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Trouble with Being Born' by Cioran,E.M. (ed/tr Richard Howard) [Penguin 2012,978-0-241-46727-5]].

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1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 3. Wisdom Deflated

23064

So-called wisdom is just pondering things instead of acting

1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 3. Metaphysical Systems

23072

Systems are the worst despotism, in philosophy and in life

1. Philosophy / H. Continental Philosophy / 3. Hermeneutics

23075

A text explained ceases to be a text

5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 2. Logical Connectives / c. not

23066

Negation doesn't arise from reasoning, but from deep instincts

7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / i. Deflating being

23077

The word 'being' is very tempting, but in fact means nothing at all

7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 4. Anti-realism

23068

People who really believe anti-realism don't bother to prove it

11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty

23073

Convictions are failures to study anything thoroughly

23078

Opinions are fine, but having convictions means something has gone wrong

16. Persons / F. Free Will / 5. Against Free Will

23076

If people always acted without words we would take them for robots

18. Thought / D. Concepts / 5. Concepts and Language / a. Concepts and language

23065

If only we could write like a reptile, of endless sensations and no concepts!

20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions

23071

We could only be responsible if we had consented before birth to who we are

21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 6. The Sublime

23070

We morally dissolve if we spend time with excessive beauty

23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 3. Angst

23074

In anxiety people cling to what reinforces it, because it is a deep need

23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 4. Boredom

23069

Fear cures boredom, because it is stronger

23062

It is better to watch the hours pass, than trying to fill them

25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 4. Suicide

23067

Suicide is pointless, because it always comes too late

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 2. Immortality / d. Heaven

23063

The first man obviously found paradise unendurable