On Pain:

Junger’s critique of liberalism is that it basically denies or conceals the relationship to pain. The existence of pain contradicts the dominant values of liberal society which holds out the myth that good will always triumph over evil:

Pain’s disregard for our system of great values greatly increases its hold on life… Our children’s tales close with passages about heroes who, after having overcome many dangers, live out their lives in peace and happiness. We hear such assurances with pleasure, for it is comforting for us to learn about a place removed from pain. Yet, in truth, life is without any such satisfying end.

Junger was against liberalism and he looked forward to the dissolution of the Weimer Republic and its liberal capitalism. He believed that revolution would bring a progress in Germany and liberalism stood in its way. Junger, a World War I veteran, was a vocal critic of the Weimer Republic. In the passage from “On Pain”, there is a total rejection of liberalism and its values of liberty, security, comfort and ease. His explanation was that at the root of everything, pain was the motivating force that propelled mankind to make progress and move ahead. The passage explains to people to come out of the fantasy world of the bourgeoisie and see that world shatter before them.

1. How would you judge Junger’s thesis that pain is the central experience of life.

For Junger, who was far removed from the basic tenets of liberalism, his idea that pain was the central experience of life was a bold statement to make at his time. Yet I agree with Junger’s thesis, because his argument still holds true in today’s world. The world has seen wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other disasters both man made and natural. If we look at the basic component of all that has happened, pain is the central experience and also the driving force that drives people to move ahead and over come the hindrances thrown at them.

2. What does “post-liberal” refer to and how does it relate to the idea of progress?

This refers to how the liberals have evolved their notion of progress. In the early days, liberals viewed progress as having peace and universal brotherhood, but now that has changed to measuring progress in terms of education level, income level etc.

3. Why is the photography the “evil eye” according to Junger?

Photography according to Junger is evil, because it captures what ever it sees, without a hint of emotion or humanity.

4. What is the relationship between specialized education and the “worker type.”

Specialized education and higher learning was reserved for the elite in society and not available to the working class. The inclusion of many clauses and baseless rules made it difficult for the people from the working class to have access to higher education and thereby stopping them from moving up the social ladder.

5. How does submission to totalitarian authorities protect an individual from pain.

Pain is a very subjective feeling and varies between people.  Submission to a totalitarian authority would protect the individual from harm and thereby protect him from pain.