“But even if ego-death is regarded as the optimum model for human existence, one of liberation from ourselves, it still remains a compromise with being, a concession to the blunder of creation itself. We should be able to do better, and we can. To have our egos killed off is second-best to killing off death and all the squalid byplay that flitters around it. So let all lands be small, and grower smaller and smaller until no lands are left where any human footstep need press itself upon the earth.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Thomas Ligotti, the author delves into the concept of ego-death as a compromise with existence itself. Ligotti argues that while ego-death may be seen as an optimal state of human existence, it still falls short of true liberation. He suggests that rather than simply relinquishing our egos, the ultimate goal should be to eradicate death entirely. Ligotti's bleak tone and call for the elimination of all human presence on Earth reflect his philosophical exploration of the fundamental flaws inherent in the human experience.
Modern Relevance
In this passage by Thomas Ligotti, the idea of ego-death is presented as a compromise with existence itself. The desire to transcend the limitations of the self is seen as a step towards liberation, but Ligotti suggests that true freedom lies in eliminating the need for existence altogether. This notion challenges us to reconsider our place in the world and question the significance of our individual experiences in the grand scheme of things.
Thomas Ligotti on Ego-Death and Liberation
“But even if ego-death is regarded as the optimum model for human existence, one of liberation from ourselves, it still remains a compromise with being, a concession to the blunder of creation itself. We should be able to do better, and we can. To have our egos killed off is second-best to killing off death and all the squalid byplay that flitters around it. So let all lands be small, and grower smaller and smaller until no lands are left where any human footstep need press itself upon the earth.” - Thomas Ligotti
Reflection Questions:
This quote by Thomas Ligotti challenges us to consider the idea of ego-death and liberation from ourselves as a compromise with existence itself. It pushes us to think about the possibility of transcending our egos entirely and eliminating the need for human presence on earth. Reflect on the following questions:
- In what ways do you see ego-death as a compromise with existence, as Ligotti suggests?
- How does the idea of eliminating death and all its associated struggles resonate with you?
- Do you believe it is possible for humans to transcend their egos entirely? Why or why not?
- What implications do Ligotti's words have for our relationship with the earth and the concept of human presence on it?
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“Still, being fragile creatures, humans always try to hide from themselves the certainty that they will die. They do not see that it is death itself that motivates them to do the best things in their lives. They are afraid to step into the dark, afraid of the unknown, and their only way of conquering that fear is to ignore the fact that their days are numbered. They do not see that with an awareness of death, they would be able to be even more daring, to go much further in their daily conquests, because then they would have nothing to lose- for death itself is inevitable.”
“Adversity is a natural part of being human. It is the height of arrogance to prescribe a moral code or health regime or spiritual practice as an amulet to keep things from falling apart. Things do fall apart. It is in their nature to do so. When we try to protect ourselves from the inevitability of change, we are not listening to the soul. We are listening to our fear of life and death, our lack of faith, our smaller ego's will to prevail. To listen to your soul is to stop fighting with life--to stop fighting when things fall apart; when they don't go our away, when we get sick, when we are betrayed or mistreated or misunderstood. To listen to the soul is to slow down, to feel deeply, to see ourselves clearly, to surrender to discomfort and uncertainty and to wait.”
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“Human life must be some kind of mistake. The truth of this will be sufficiently obvious if we only remember that man is a compound of needs and necessities hard to satisfy; and that even when they are satisfied, all he obtains is a state of painlessness, where nothing remains to him but abandonment to boredom. This is direct proof that existence has noreal value in itself; for what is boredom but the feeling of the emptiness of life? If life—the craving for which is the very essence of our being—were possessed of any positive intrinsic value, there would be no such thing as boredom at all: mere existence would satisfy us in itself, and we should want for nothing.”