Question

"I am afraid the answer is inescapable: too many of us, too much of the time, have committed ourselves to actions that are indifferent to or deny outright the spirit in us that propels the action and the spirit in the people and things toward which we are acting. It is as if we cannot afford to seek the spirit, because this will bring us face-to face with the wastefulness, emptiness, or destructiveness of much that we do." What do you think this sentence means? Do you agree or disagree and why? If Vaill is correct, then what? If he is wrong, then what?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) The above passage says that human beings treat each other and themselves in an insensitive way. That is our behaviour is generally insensitive to the soul. Most of the time, our behaviour is like we pretend that souls are not a part of us at all.

If we did stop to consider that we have a soul and that we should act in a way that is enriching to the soul and not the body, we would realise how destructive and meaningless our actions are. This means that we would realise that our actions have only been worldly and material. Our actions have been only for our bodies and not for our soul.

Whether or not an individual believes in the existence of a soul, there is no denying that most human activity is damaging, harsh and indifferent to the well being of the person. True mental happiness isn't gained from most of the activities that man indulges in. Therefore, this passage is quite agreeable and true in many ways.

In order to stop this behaviour, humans must try to do more for the well-being of others, be selfless, kind, just, compassionate, comforting and gentle with each other, including ourselves.