How to be happy though human / by W. Béran Wolfe.
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Mysticism, Fatalism, and Hedonism In the various neuroses the philosophy of pessimism is attenuated to a philosophy of fatalism. Responsibility and objectivity are retained in part. The neurotic unconsciously admits his responsibility by constructing a fictional system of “ ifs ” and “ buts ” which seems to shift the responsibility to some factor for which he can assume no responsibility. Neurotics are fatalists all : they believe that they are blind pawns in the hands of an irresistible destiny. Pietists and religious fanatics, who shift the responsibility to God instead of blaming their bad physique or the antagonism of their parents, are but a step removed from the frank neurotics who tacitly admit they are afraid to face reality. The neurotic excuses his unsocial conduct on the ground of his neurotic symptoms ; he trains himself for his irresponsibility by choosing a philosophy of fatalistic opportunism. The pietist bolsters up his conduct by his affirmation of a particular creed, believing that the affirmation of his credo relieves him of personal responsibility. He puts the whole matter in the hands of God. The goal of all this philosophic training is a maximum of subjective security and a minimum of objective responsibility. The next great goal of human life is pleasure for pleasure’s sake, and the appropriate philosophy is the philosophy of hedonism. Hedonism appeals to adults who have been deprived of the normal joys of childhood. It is a pessimistic philosophy in that the hedonist, like the mystic, despairs of complete satisfaction in this world. His efforts are directed toward the frantic accumulation of as many solacing pleasure-experiences as possible. To this end he makes certain contributions towards the commonweal, but only for the sake of turning his gains into pleasures as quickly and as efficiently as possible. He avoids the major responsibilities of life, and remains an egoist throughout. The mystic, by the trick of disparaging life on this planet, prepares for a goal of fictional security in the next world. It is obvious that he o