Human Existence: What Makes Life Worth Living

A worthy life is not easily obtained. It takes vigor, vitality, matter, and energy to withstand friction, strife, and strain in daily life. Favorable conditions: secure, safe dwellings, strong genes, general intelligence, and kinship ties. A surplus of positive affection protects against negative disaffection. Collective knowledge, progressive achievement, and broad latitude of working agreement and mutual understanding are a valued means to minimize subversive influences--risk, pain, trauma, and suffering. Repair mechanisms and tender mercies heal wounds and restore progressive outcomes. C. David Mortensen, emeritus professor of Communication Science, University of Wisconsin--Madison, is a leading author of groundbreaking academic books.