This is the first and the last time I'm using this hashtag. The reason for it being: the hashtag is wrong. As per DC-3's immensely precise answer, I shall use #thehumancondition without considering it wrong. See the comment below.
Being human isn't a condition. If one looks at it from the objective perspective, it's the closest to a state; if one looks from within, it's an experience. "Human condition" is a slang used to describe the abstract idea of being human when a perfect single word exists for it in English: "humanity".
Moreover, there is a term which describes what belongs to a human being, which must include experiences, stages of being alive and everything that we can possibly feel: "humane". I have been using this as the hashtag when talking about humane things and ideas for Metaphoria exactly because it expresses, openly and without misunderstanding, what I'm talking about.
We think in language; not solely, but it makes up most of our mind since we're talking to ourselves there where no one can hear us. Language shapes personality in a similar way to how food shapes person's body. Consuming healthy, constructive pieces allows one to build a better mental and physical structure, while junk food and junk thoughts will allow for no such thing. One has to control their input if they want to receive the desired output; it is true for every process, including eating and thinking.
Using phrases that mean nothing to the person speaking will reinforce pointless connection in the mind and in the brain. On the contrary, using meaningful linguistic constructs reinforce the connections that will produce more meaningful constructs, perhaps even without the field of language. Since those constructs, basically, represent our behavior, it is important to know what are you talking about and the words you pronounce mean. Language is vast: you can find a word for almost every feeling you can get, almost every object you can encounter, almost every action you can make. It's best use what we already have, for it will ring with us better than an ephemeral idea.
I really like #thehumancondition and think it has different connotations to #humanity. thehumancondition is an analysis, an introspective look at what it means and what it is like to be human. #humanity would be looking at examples of being human in the world around us. This post is absolutely about 'the human condition' and this one would be better suited to a humanity tag.
Probably my own fault for being bad at explaining. How I see it, thehumancondition is almost analytical or scientific. It examines how humans work - or talks about how humans have been affected by this thing or that. It is, it a way, searching for answers, investigating humans. humanity, however is a little different. It isn't analytical nor investigative, it simply anecdotally shares stories about human beings. This could be anything, from an image of a soldier dodging gunfire to rescue a friend, to a child playing with a new-found friend despite not even sharing a language. If it captures the essence of being humans - in a word; humanity - then that tag would be more appropriate.
When you put it this way, it makes sense. The sterility of the word that I've felt - it comes not from dry attention but from the necessarily dry scientific point of view - understandibly so. Thank you for changing my view. It took a lot of internal wrestling to take it, but I'm glad I was able to listen so you and change my mind on the subject.
I think your viewpoint stems from your interpretation of 'condition.' Perhaps I'm mistaken, but you're understanding 'condition' to mean a layer of exterior factors that are applied on top of the essential human experience. However, the word 'condition' is not at odds with how you'd like this area of study to be seen. If we take Dictionary.com's primary definition of the word we see it's: And now if we take a look at the definition of 'the human condition from the opening of the Wikipedia article: I'd say those line up pretty well and are far from 'meaning nothing'. Furthermore, the actual definition of the words 'humanity' and 'humane' don't really touch upon the ideas mentioned above. You are right that language is vast and powerful. It is also abstract and indefinite. Words are only pointers to what they hope to describe and do not have any concrete basis in 'true' reality. As such, they can be twisted and re-appropriated to mean whatever a group of people choose. Yes, the words one uses are important, but using them 'accurately' comes secondary to communicating the essence of what you mean. Isn't that the whole point of a metaphor? In this sense, 'the human condition' is more than a fine phrase for its intended purpose.Condition: a particular mode of being of a person or thing; existing state; situation with respect to circumstances.
the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality.
My viewpoints stems from the fact that the phrase "human condition" describes nothing to me; it sparks no image in my head. I believe that if I can't imagine something the word describes with clarity, I shouldn't use the word. "Human condition" is a far too abstract an idea to grasp, which is why I defer to more tangible "humane" and "humanity", which obviously describe what belongs to a human being. The fact that people came to agree upon a single word or phrase meaning this or that is not indicative of its meaning, or whether it has any outside of social norms. "Pathetic" didn't mean "worthy of pity", for it comes from the Greek word "pathos" which, if I recall correctly, still retains its original meaning in English. That it came to a twisted inverse of itself is a pity, indeed: it's a wonderful word to which an inappropriate meaning is assigned. If you have doubts about "humanity" being appropriate, consider "clarity", "brevity" or "impunity", with each word describing a state or a trait. "Humanity", formed under the same blueprint, means exactly "being human". It sounding strange must not be a barrier: everything sounds funny until we're using it. Even then, it's simply an example of what language is capable of more than it is a candidate for replacing the "human condition" phrase: I'll vote for "humane", for it is shorter and simpler, while retaining the same meaning once you give it a thought (what can be assigned under "human condition" that can't be under "humane"?). Another part of "human condition" that bothers me is the word "condition". It sounds sterile and empty when assigned to a human being. It has no place around what is a wonderful and rich world of humanity: all the emotions, all the words and actions cannot be swept under such a tasteless word. "Being human" sounds a lot better than what we have currently, for it now deals with being, existing, which implies movement, action, reaction - a living state rather than... a "condition". And why can't we use that right to change the language we use for the better? Re-appropriation mustn't be only a whim of the public: language bows to those who use it meaningfully, and we certainly can do that. It will be a purposeful restructure, for, I believe, it bears meaning and will result in a small positive change in our heads.As such, they can be twisted and re-appropriated to mean whatever a group of people choose.
The way I see it #thehumancondition, deals with issues that are specially human but also usually conditions, issues, or external forces that act a single human or specific subset of humans rather than humanity in general. It's not the same as humanity or humane. I use humanity or society when it doesn't have the same peculiarities that I feel #thehumancondition should have. However, because anyone can tag anything anything, people may not use thehumancondition in the same way I do.
I very much agree. In fact, "The Human Condition", to me is a philosophical question, that of "What does it mean to be human?", not in the Biological sense, or even a species-wide sense. from the wiki: The OP mentions that there is no one "human condition", and that's kind of the point. There is no one way to be human, and we all have a multitude of experiences which end up making our own personal 'Condition'. I would argue that things like Human Test are exploring the "Human Condition", what it means to be human. Neither of the #tags that the op suggests are any better. "Humane" is generally used in the context of "being kind to others, or other creatures". Humanity is usually used to refer to humans, the group. Just because you don't like the tag doesn't mean it's not accurate.The human condition is defined as "the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality."