Seize The Day

Carpe diem- two little words which are probably the most important aspects of the philosophy of Epicurus, but also the main idea of a poem written by a Roman poet Horce to express positive feelings about enjoying life and treating every single day as if tomorrow will never come, but never think about it in a negative way. It is probably the shortest and most popular motto used by many people to make them feel stronger and more independent. This is definitely my favourite motto which I tend to use often.

Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who left a great idea of optimism. His philosophy conveyed the ultimate conviction that individuals can live in a serene happiness, fortified by the continual experience of modest pleasures. His ultimate goal was to live easy, enjoyable and comfortable life, far from everyday troubles. He clearly wanted to explain that people can do whatever they would like to. They can get whatever they desire, if they appreciate every day and take every chance that life can provide to help make their dreams come true; therefore it means living one day at a time and not regretting anything. The ultimate goal for him is simple and short: go for fun and avoid bad sensations.

Why should we appreciate every day, making it the best day of our life, not regretting anything we do?

I think Horce tried to give us an idea of how short life is and that we should make the most of it when we can. Life isn't as easy as it used to be. Growth of technology has its positive and negative effects, indeed. However, war and technology have always been linked very closely. After all, without technology, except for the form of sticks and stones, man’s ability to kill his own kind is extremely limited. From the very first day that technology was introduced to war, its impact has helped shape the latter. Flint-made daggers and spears, and leather or wickerwork shields, did quite as much to shape the tactics adopted by ancient societies as horses did during the middle ages and as tanks, aircraft, and various combat ships do today. They determined, for example, whether formations would be close or open, deep or shallow, rigid or lose. Other technologies determined how far different units comprising a single force could get away from each other without losing touch; therefore playing a critical role in strategy. Technology also helped determine which kinds of formations were most suitable for fighting with enemies, in what kind of terrain, under what kind of circumstances, and so on. It's clever in some way, but I wish it hadn't happened.

Recently, in the newspapers, such as The Guardian and The Times, I have read about two car bombings in central Baghdad. It killed at least 90 people and 265 have been injured. This terrible occurrence took place yesterday morning and has officially been admitted as the biggest attack in the past two months. The target of terrorists was a government area which is north of the fortified Green Zone, hitting the Justice Ministry as well as the seat of the Baghdad provincial administration, which is 500 meters away. The Times said 'There were so many wounded that even civilian cars were pressed into service to bring the casualties to local hospitals.'

I can't believe how terrible it is. This definitely breaks John Locke's rules of natural rights to live, liberty and property, giving a feeling of hatred and disgust to the ones who hate and kill innocent people who weren't ready for death and didn't deserve to die. How can a human being take away somebody's, who is completely innocence, life? This should never be allowed in the modern world. The war has always been a 'dirty biological battle' which never ends, especially in places such as Iraq.

Therefore....

CARPE DIEM.