THE HUMAN CONDITION

A philosophical treatise on finding purpose and fulfillment in life.

Humans have a genetic “programing” that has helped the species survive for hundreds of thousands of years. While many of these traits continue to be “life sustaining” and “drive us forward to advance learning,” Yari argues that others may “now impede the quality of our lives.” A propensity for escalating violence, overindulging, and developing religions must be shed—both individually and collectively—for humans to become more fulfilled. Yari advocates for undefined forms of agnostic spirituality that “embrace the ‘unknown’ while leaving it relatively unknown” but is critical of organized religion, which no longer fulfills humanity’s need for creativity and acceptance. Rather, the author proposes, its sole function today is to “control man,” whereas in the past, it played a more holistic role. Yari’s philosophic approach is best summed up by the title of his final chapter, “We Are Our Own Masters.” He contends, like many others, that peace and fulfillment can best be achieved through a positive attitude and gratitude; humanity as a whole has “lost thankfulness.” Perhaps most importantly, Yari’s approach emphasizes balance in all aspects of life—“work, play, socializing, sex, even fun.” True to form, the book’s practical emphasis on mindful living is balanced with lengthy, well-conceived ruminations on the nature of human consciousness and other concepts of philosophy. Adherents to organized religion, from Christians to Buddhists, may not only disagree with the book’s rejection of religious dogmas, but also its hedonistic directive to “live life to feel happiness in the ‘now’ of it all.” Alternately, social scientists will bristle at the book’s lack of citations or a bibliography, though many of its core tenets rely on modern sociological theory and scientific claims about the human mind. Still, while the book drifts into the genre of pop psychology, it’s a deft consideration of evolutionary biology.

A well-written, thoughtful, yet inadequately researched meditation on human fulfillment.