Do you mean traces as in having children, writing a great novel, discovering a new quark or something, or traces as in wanting to make sure you clean up really well after committing a crime?
Just kidding, I know what you mean. :)
I don't think all cultural groups are focused on leaving a legacy, but I suppose attaching value and meaning to things that are left behind is a universal. Perhaps leaving a legacy (a child, a creation, a legend or concept of yourself, a presidency, a scientific discovery, a body of art) is a peculiarly Western extension of that need to attach meaning to things left behind.
Perhaps a desire to attach meaning to things left behind and desire to leave a legacy also stem from fear of death. A legacy implies continuity and it is easier to cope (for some people) with the concept of death's finality when you can imagine that in some small way it isn't final after all.
By "traces" I mean that things you already suspected, but it also includes making people believe who you are. Leaving "traces" behind in life. Not revealing who you are, what you like, what you do in your spare time or what you purchase.
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gansje.livejournal.com - (no subject) +1 response
(no subject)
Date: 7 January 2015 04:01 am (UTC)Just kidding, I know what you mean. :)
I don't think all cultural groups are focused on leaving a legacy, but I suppose attaching value and meaning to things that are left behind is a universal. Perhaps leaving a legacy (a child, a creation, a legend or concept of yourself, a presidency, a scientific discovery, a body of art) is a peculiarly Western extension of that need to attach meaning to things left behind.
Perhaps a desire to attach meaning to things left behind and desire to leave a legacy also stem from fear of death. A legacy implies continuity and it is easier to cope (for some people) with the concept of death's finality when you can imagine that in some small way it isn't final after all.
(no subject)
Date: 7 January 2015 08:30 am (UTC)Not revealing who you are, what you like, what you do in your spare time or what you purchase.