Philosophy Now Forum

why does a person want to leave a mark in history or keep a memory of himself?

AlbrechtMyers wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:12 am why does a person want to leave a mark in history or keep a memory of himself?

Interesting question. But can there be multiple reasons?What is a reason you can think of?

AlbrechtMyers wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:12 am why does a person want to leave a mark in history or keep a memory of himself?

if you didn't remember who you were, you wouldn't know who you are...

but you are not who you were...

leave Popeye out of it...

-Imp

AlbrechtMyers wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:12 am why does a person want to leave a mark in history or keep a memory of himself?

Perhaps to feel significant, and to feel that one's life mattered. Maybe this matters more to people who, themselves, "worship" and look up to others in history, and they wish to be seen/admired similarly. But many people in history have turned out to be less than what they're held up to be -- just more distorted creations from the minds of men, for one reason or another...which feeds into more distortions...until we're so toxic and deluded we can't see/think straight about much of anything.

Richness of being doesn't require any idols. It is felt/transmitted purely and powerfully, and cannot be distorted if it isn't sold/traded/stolen for fame, power, or control. Beware of all idols.

It could be that rather than wanting to be remembered, they want praise while they are alive. The praise could take the form of an admission that their legacy is of great value and corresponding to that they may receive practical tokens of the efficacious homage from others inclusive of money equivalents. On the other hand it could be that by an inner standard which they sincerely subscribe to they are relentlessly driven to meet that standard; in pathological cases against their own will.