Oh, Wobbly Words...

            Language can be messy. Sometimes we can’t find the perfect word to describe what we think and/or feel; other times the right word in our primary language just isn’t nuanced enough to explain what we mean. But we must be as careful as possible when we are engaged in philosophical dialogue so that each member of the discussion is on the same page, so to speak.

           

            I was thinking about this today because of a conversation that began in the “Rainy Day Exam Blues Hiatus” post. We were talking about happiness and how it can mean two different though equally important ideas: 1) the momentary experience of joy that arrives suddenly and is fleeting; 2) and our overall well-being or life satisfaction. As you can see, English can be frustratingly ambiguous. In the context of this discussion, I mentioned the ancient Greek notion of eudaimonia, which I am sure will get its own post in the near future. And, considering my interlocutor is a former student who studies Japanese, another word popped into my head—kaizen.

            Ever since the end of World War II, Japan has been kaizen crazy. Originally meant as a term to be applied in manufacturing and business, the word has expanded to include broader applications. It, too, suffers from the same fate as happiness in English because though the word literally means “good change” it is often translated as “continuous improvement.” This is noteworthy because it is an idea often discussed in philosophy circles, whether working toward the Golden Mean of Aristotle or trying to evolve into the Übermensch of Nietzsche. Part of living well requires us to continually refine ourselves as part of our search for wisdom.

            How do you accomplish this in your life? Do you see yourself as a work in progress, constantly trying to get better in all aspects of life? What can we do to make improvements in our lives? Can we improve physically (health)? Can we improve mentally (intelligence)? Can we improve spiritually (wisdom)? Is it worth trying to improve, or should we not strive so much? What are your thoughts on this?