The Concept Of Carpe Diem: Explain Positive And Negative Aspects (Research Paper Sample)

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The Concept of Carpe Diem
What will you do if today was your last day on earth? Will you forgo all your plans and leave them unfulfilled? What will you prioritize? What will be the only thing that will matter to you? We usually encounter these common questions in different aspects of our lives, such as in creative academic writings, conversations, and literary works. The answers to such questions vary according to individual’s interest. However, what we may choose to do on our last day on earth is usually the things we keep on postponing with the hope of actualizing them in the future. If you have the capacity regarding finance and time to realize any of your plans, will you still wait for the appropriate time? Most people will answer in the affirmative because they want to create memorable events. Consequently, each action or decision is allocated appropriate time, mostly in the future. Why do we postpone what we can do today? As the English saying goes, “do not postpone what can be done today.” Similarly, “tomorrow can take care of itself.” These two English aphorisms have a similar meaning to the Latin’s Carpe diem.
The Latin aphorism originates from Horace, a renowned poet of the Roman Empire. The aphorism is a section of a long line in a poem that urges people to seize the day and have little trust on tomorrow. The section of the metaphor, carpe diem, translates to ‘seize the day.’ The essay discusses the positive and the negative aspects of living one’s life according to the carpe diem philosophy. However, carpe diem does not apply to all life situations.
Positive Aspects
Active Present. The philosophy of carpe diem enhances an individual’s concentration on the present activities and forgets the past failures and negativities. Research indicates that intense concentration on the present refers to complete concentration of one’s attention on his/her current activities combined with valuing each moment of the day CITATION Sob16 \p 1515 \l 1033 (Sobol-Kwapinska and Jankowski 1515). One can concentrate on the current activities and become aware of the value of each moment. This allows one’s full presence and complete perception of the present realities CITATION Byw05 \p 7 \t \l 1033 (Bywaters 7). As a result, an individual increases productivity and becomes actively involved in shaping the future CITATION Pon15 \p 70 \l 1033 (Pongweni 70).
Time Perspective. This refers to the unconscious perception of time due to personal or social experiences. An individual may concentrate on the negative or positive past to come up with present actions that will shape the future. However, since the future is indefinite, the philosophy helps one to make the best out of the current situation in order to achieve self-fulfillment CITATION Wat09 \p 1 \t \l 1033 (Sobol-Kwapinska 1). Every individual has different life experience that brought forth his/her present situation. Carpe diem philosophy is an encouraging metaphor used to stimulate one’s behavior and activities in order to fulfill his/her immediate needs and have little hope for tomorrow.
Boosts Self-Esteem. Carpe diem philosophy emphasizes present personal fulfillment. Most people postpone their gratification and yet they have adequate resources to implement their plans. Similarly, those without sufficient resources may have a sense of satisfaction by focusing on the present and giving little consideration for tomorrow. Making plans with inadequate resources is the primary cause of stress. How do you plan if you have nothing? The common answer is to live for today and tomorrow will take care of itself. Immediate gratification makes one have a sense of fulfillment and boosts self-esteem.
Satisfaction with Life. Living for the present enhances one’s sense of satisfaction with life. One’s hopelessness or little faith for tomorrow influences concentration and implementation of the present actions to achieve one’s well-being. The modern companies are using the notion of seizing the day in branding to lure clients towards their products CITATION Rom17 \p 4 \t \l 1033 (Krznaric 4).
Negative Aspects
Negative Time Perspective. If an individual has terrible experience from the past, he/she may fail to seek immediate gratification as the carpe diem principal suggests. An individual’s experience influences his/her present actions and choices. If the future is unpredictable, one may be hopeless for the future. According to Sobol-Kwapinska and Jankowski, one’s concentration on the negatively perceived past such as disappointments, traumas, and sad moments contributes to hopelessness CITATION Sob16 \p 1514 \n \y \t \l 1033 (1514). By contrary, those who concentrate on the positive moments attach significance in planning and working on the present in order to fulfill their goals and build the future.
Reduced Balanced Time Perspective. Balanced time perspective refers to one’s ability to use the experience to focus on the future. Sobol-Kwapinska and Jankowski define balanced time perspective as the relation between time perspective and the future well-being CITATION Sob16 \p 1516 \n \y \t \l 1033 (1516). An individual with good time balance perspective is competent and can live fully in the present. However, since carpe diem philosophy advocates for immediate gratification, it may have a more significant influence on one’s life by influencing him/her to focus on the present rather than focusing on the future.
Spontaneity. Spontaneity involves restructuring and canceling all plans to venture in experimentation. This liberation may or may not work depending on various factors such as accessibil...