Photos from the collection of free images Pixabay.ComOften they say about mothers who either cruelly oppress their children (here I wrote about parental sadism) or tie them tightly to themselves (here I wrote about tying mothers) : “The mother gave life to the child, and life is the most valuable thing, so everything is forgiven to the mother.” This is total apologetics. What is life? How can this word even be understood? In three senses. In my book “Escape from Nirvana: How a passionary does not rot among biomass” (here it is on Litres), and shortly before its publication - in this article on B-17, I wrote about three “dimensions” in man: biological; social; existential. Biological is, in a very rough approximation, instincts. Social is instilled instructions and prohibitions. And to the existential “dimension” I attribute this: self-awareness, the feeling of being an autonomous being in the Universe, and not part of a race or society (or “appendage” of mommy); authentic life values ​​(a specific business, a specific person, specific beliefs, for adherence to which a person endures, in fact, discomfort and suffering); innovative creativity, in all senses (artistic, scientific, social and business projects...) The point is not in the accuracy of definitions (definitions), but in understanding 2 things: these three “dimensions” are different from each other, and may contradict each other (for example, instincts - social prohibitions, or existential values - sexual needs); they are represented in different people to different degrees (there are “normal” socialized animals, there are actually just animals, they sit in the Black Dolphin; in some, a few, an existential “dimension” is formed - how exactly is beyond the scope of this articles).I would like to note that my terminology should not be compared with existentialist authors. I use words to convey ideas. Your thought. How these same words were used by Heidegger, Sartre or anyone else does not concern me. This is how one can understand the content of the concept of “life” for each of these three “dimensions” of human nature. “Dimension” of human natureContent of the concept “life”BiologicalPhysical and chemical processes occurring in the body, metabolism, reproductionFeeling of pleasure (joy, happiness), which is based on a sense of securitySocialIndependence (figuratively speaking, “standing on your feet” in all possible senses)Feeling of self-worthProfessional achievements (work, own business) Family achievements (starting your own family, producing and raising children) Social connections (with relatives, friends...) Social success (being better than others according to generally accepted criteria of “success”) Existential Identity, self-determination (instead of automatically assimilating social patterns and “dancing to the tune” of social influence) Authentic values ​​(a specific business, person or idea, so dear that adherence to them results in suffering and discomfort) Innovative creativity