Coincidence with One’s Self

Abstract

Ortega y Gasset says that “The substantial, original and, in that sense unique problem is fitting me within myself, agreeing with myself, finding myself” (Ortega y Gasset, José, Complete Works, Ed. Taurus, Madrid 2004 (in advance CW), Volume (V). VI, p. 437) and adds: “And that, fitting in oneself, is the definition of happiness” (Ortega y Gasset, José, CW, V. VI, p. 439). Another way to say the same thing would be to say that the human being gets close to happiness, the unrenounceable goal of life, as it searches unity with itself and through facing the difficulties of its circumstance achieves staying integrated, as the alternatives of existence do not push it away from its life project. The accomplishment and maintenance of that unity is the function of the spirit, understood as the capacity of preserving and order and mental equilibrium through and above all events. This capacity is inherent to the human being; without it, humanity would not have survived. But the current culture, with its emphasis in external accomplishments, neglects that capacity, while its lifestyle makes it all the more necessary. Humanity faces here an evolutionary challenge. It must find a way to restore its internal equilibrium without losing and even improving its capacity of acting. The epidemic rise of stress-related diseases, anxiety disorders, and depression would be the manifestation of a cultural failure and its consequences, derived to medicine.