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The '''human condition''' is a term used in literature to describe the joys and terrors of being
human, and generally refers to biologically determined
events which are common to most human lives.
These include:
*
birth
*
childhood
*
adolescence
*
love
*
sex
*
reproduction
*
aging
*
death
Unlike what is believed of other animals, humans can have some degree of sentient
self-awareness of these events. Different
cultures treat these events in different ways. Many
religions and
philosophies attempt to give
meaning to the human condition. The human condition is the central subject of much
literature,
drama and
art.
The human condition is the subject of fields of study like
sociology and
anthropology.
In some of the poorest parts of the world, the human condition has changed little over the centuries.
In most developed countries, improvements in
medicine,
education, and
public health have brought about marked changes in the human condition over the last few hundred years, with increases in
life expectancy and the
demographic profile (see
demographic transition). Probably one of the largest changes has been the availability of
contraception, which has changed the lives of women and attitudes to sexuality. Even then, these changes only alter the details of the human condition.
Some movements like
transhumanism aim to radically change the human condition.
Related articles:
Maslow's hierarchy of needs,
Man's search for meaning,
Existentialism
''See also'':
Seven deadly sins,
rite of passage,
Seven ages of man,
Erik H. Erikson,
Category:Core issues in ethics.
