“We do not choose to be born.We do not--most of us, choose to die, or the times or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live--Courageously or in cowardice, Honorably or dishonorably, With purpose or adrift. We decide what is important and what is trivial. What makes us significant is what we DO, Or REFUSE TO DO. WE DECIDE and WE CHOOSE--and so we give definition to our lives.” GivingImportantPurposeDiesBornOur LivesConditionsDefinitionsRefuseSignificantRealmsCowardiceAdrift Author:Joseph Epstein
“It is generally admitted that the cultural values (humanization) and the existing institutions and policies of society are rarely,if ever, in harmony. This opinion has found expression in the distinction between culture and civilization, according to which "culture" refers to some higher dimension of human autonomy and fulfillment, while "civilization" designates the realm of necessity, of socially necessary work and behavior, where man is not really himself and in his own element but is subject to heteronomy, to external conditions and needs.” IfsMenNeedsHumansValuesCultureFoundOpinionConditionsSubjectsPolicyExpressionHigherCivilizationBehaviorElementsHarmonyInstitutionsFulfillmentRealmsDimensionsDistinctionAutonomy Author:Herbert Marcuse