The Parable of Mrs Tiggywinkle…
(or ‘The life we want to share’)

Today, I want to talk about hedgehogs because many years ago, Arthur Schopenhauer wanted to talk about hedgehogs. Schopey (as we’ll call him from now on) used the spiny little creatures in an analogy, a parable if you prefer, known as the Hedgehog’s dilemma.

One day, a group of hedgehogs were cold, and being cold felt the need to huddle together to warm up. But there was a problem. Given their spines, they couldn’t get close enough to share body heat. And so they had a choice: get warm, but in pain, or remain comfortable, if less warm. Ultimately the hedgehogs remained apart.

This story was used by old Schopey to argue that humans themselves do not need society (and specifically the harsh trials and tribulations associated with living a life full of social interaction).

Thing is, Schopey was a grumpy man. A right pessimist really. It’s not hard to see that his conclusion would be to suggest people wish to avoid pain, even at the expense of social interaction. But of course, that’s (hedge)hogwash.

Humans are passionate creatures. We thrive on the potential for there to be amazing moments in our lives. It’s those first kisses and someone to grow old with that make us feel alive. Or maybe it’s the pursuit of Oscar nominations and Olympic gold medals that makes it all feel worth it.

Whatever you see as the peak of your existence however, you don’t get close without getting hurt somewhere along the line.

That’s what makes it worth the struggle.

That’s what gets us excited.

That’s the life we want to share.

Brought into the world on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 and filed under 1000thoughts.