December 29, 2015
We all know what jealousy is and we have a lot of experience as well. It is difficult to deal with. It is a part of life and every being has it in him/her. Oxford Learner's Dictionary says "Jealousy is feeling angry or unhappy because somebody you like or love is showing interest in somebody else", or "Feeling angry or unhappy because you wish you had something that someone else has".
It is natural that we all long for things and we often feel jealous when the other person has something better. That instills a desire in us to possess it. We don’t mind what means we use or the consequences it will have on our lives. We frequently flow in the feeling of jealousy and try to satisfy ourselves but we often have a prick of conscience or dissatisfaction. So, how can we be jealous and also satisfied?
It is simple; we just have to practice Philosophical Jealousy. You may wonder what philosophical jealousy is. Philosophy means a system of beliefs resulting in the search of knowledge, and philosophical jealousy means a search for knowledge about jealous feelings and learning from it to improve the self.
We may be jealous of others because the other is more handsome or beautiful, more talented etc. When we are jealous we only try to spoil his or her reputation and laugh about the other's failures. This deed takes us in evil ways.
If it is philosophical jealousy, we can think what we can do to improve ourselvs and be more attractive than the other, try new things, learn new things or participate and give a try at least ('if he can do, why can’t I'). The main difference here is philosophical jealousy leads oneself in the path of self improvement, not to destroy the other. This makes us think whether we have a need to be like the other, or can we be unique, can we bring about a change and succeed?
You may feel that this jealousy will still remain jealousy because it is just a concept and a jugglery of words. No, jealousy will never remain the same there, for there is a vast difference between the two.
Philosophical jealousy is more positive and realistic; it helps us to think what we are and what we are capable of. It helps us to distinguish between the good and the bad. We just have to change our attitude and change our jealousy to philosophical jealousy and life can be made beautiful. This is not an idealistic thought but a thought born and experienced in my life.