Today, as the sun rose behind the veil of morning fog, I sat quietly in my study, the scent of aged parchment intermingling with the aroma of strong coffee. I remembered a walk I once took in the embracing silence of a forest; a moment where I felt a profound connection with nature, unblemished by human follies. Within the sanctuary of trees, I pondered the essence of human goodness and the scars that mar our collective soul. It struck me then, as it does now, that our actions today ripple through eternity, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of life.
The crux of our moral compass aligns with an interesting consideration: Should we, as individuals, support lives entwined with negative deeds? This past day, I encountered a particularly terse sentiment on the subject—a voice declaring refusal to purchase works from “shitty” individuals still alive, yet expressing indifference once they have traversed the threshold of death.
The fleeting nature of morality evokes the thoughts of Johann Gottlieb Fichte, who posited the I am versus the not-I dichotomy, suggesting our ethical existence is in constant dialogue with the external world. To deny a living person support based on their flawed actions might serve as a tangible boundary to what we deem tolerable. Yet, Simonde de Sismondi reminds us that the ripple effect of one’s work can extend beyond the grave, fostering virtues or vices independent of its creator’s mortal errors. If so, should not our judgment thus transcend temporal existence?
In the artistic realm, I reflect upon the profound works of living artist Harumi Hironaka, whose haunting canvases often explore the dichotomy of inner chaos and societal judgments. Similarly, the surreal and evocative digital motifs of Pascal Marlin infuse a stark reality with wistful otherworldliness, mirroring our quandary of separating creation from creator. Here, the artistic soul engages us to perceive truth in contradictions—to behold beauty and abomination intertwined.
#MoralConundrum #ArtisticPerception
In the quiet moments of solitude, enveloped by thoughts that transcend time and space, I sense my own imperfections mirroring the world’s. To acknowledge our shared fragility is to foster deeper empathy. Be kind to yourselves and to those you encounter, even if they do not present their best selves.
Blessings upon your journey,
Martijn Benders
[Johann Gottlieb Fichte](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/johann-fichte/)
[Simonde de Sismondi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simonde-de-Sismondi)
[Harumi Hironaka](https://www.harumi-hironaka.com/)
[Pascal Marlin](https://www.instagram.com/pascal_marlin_art/)