" Pain’s disregard for our system of values greatly increases its hold on life...Our children’s tales close with passages about heroes who, after having overcome many dangers, live out their lives in peace and happiness. We hear such assurances with pleasure, for it is comforting for us to learn about a place removed from pain. Yet, in truth, life is without any such satisfying end... (p. 4).
In the hope that everyone will understand pain and the effects it has on human beings Ernst Junger highlights it as the central experience in life and most influential aspect of behavior based on individual and societal perception. The existence of pain has been known to have both positive and negative effects on society; it forces some citizens to ignore values and rules while promoting compliance among others. When inflicted pain and suffering can become dominant and take control of a society and its citizens. Junger writes that pain often become stories among family members, especially children and tales of heroes. Often heroes are injured post war soldiers who are left to live their remaining days in peace. War stories entail triumphs and victory for the winners who often reminisce on what they have overcome and the changes they helped to achieve while the loosing country is left with damaged property, wounded and dead soldiers, a weak and unstable economy, and the pain of rebuilding. One such example was Germany after Hitler's reign of terror. I believe the existence of pain builds character and foundation, it makes us stronger while preparing us for good and bad days. Their is no life without pain. Ernst Junger, On Pain.
1. Is pain the most important experience in life?
Pain according to Junger is the most central experience in life, it builds character and tolerance to accept the unacceptable. It teaches discipline, understanding, empathy, and sensitivity. Pain makes each individual aware of the other person and can have a positive or negative outcome. Pain is subjective, and is often what the other person says it is.
2. What does "post-liberal" mean?
Post liberal means the period after World War I, it depicts countries that were able to tolerate pain and suffering, death of soldiers, loss of economy, destruction of property and changes to society and laws. Access to new and modern technology that would enhance and improve life.
3. How does obedience to the state protect the person from pain?
Through the learned behavior of detachment and objectification human being's have become tolerable of pain. The introduction of new and modern technology has also resulted in changes of information and procedures. Juger writes that the elimination of torture and the slave trade, the discovery of electricity, vaccination against measles, narcosis, the system of insurance, and a whole world of technical and political conveniences has lead to protection from pain. Protection is also seen through citizens enjoying an abundance of goods and pleasures as a sign of prosperity. There are grand cafes, citizens are in a dream-like state,while ease fills the air like a narcotic. Poverty is rarely seen and obedient citizens enjoy the conveniences of education, career choice of preference, free market of labor, the contractual character of almost all social ties and the unrestricted freedom of movement. The potential for conflict is also reduced (pp.12-13).
Ernst Junger, On Pain.
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