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(2010) Human Studies 33 (2-3).
Many years ago, the Christian existentialist Gabriel Marcel made a helpful distinction between a “problem” and a “mystery.” Schematically, a problem is a situation with respect to which the person is a detached observer. One identifies a problem, solves it, and moves on. There is no fundamental alteration of the self in solving a problem, no calling of the self into question. In contrast, a mystery is a situation within which the person him/herself is involved. Immersion within a mystery makes detachment impossible. Indeed, a mystery is never “solved” in the way that a problem can be. One can never simply walk away from it the way one can with a problem, even from problems that show themselves to be insoluble, for a problem, however important, remains objectified from the person’s standpoint. Conversely, one may struggle for a lifetime to come to terms with a mystery, to fathom where one stands with respect to it.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s10746-010-9143-z
Full citation:
Lewin, P. (2010). Review of Problems and mysteries. Human Studies 33 (2-3), pp. 333-338.
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