My Personal Philosophy: Neoptolemus Principle and Karma
The Neoptolemus principle states, "Harm a man has done will in turn be done to him" (Matyszak, 16). This principle deeply rooted in Greek and Roman mythology was named after Achilles's son, Neoptolemus, who had a gruesome death reflective of the violence he inflicted on others. This echoes the idea of karma found in Buddhism. While providing an in-depth explanation of karma would require more than an 800-word essay, it can be succinctly explained as the belief that everything in life is driven by cause and effect (Olivelle). In essence, one's good actions lead to positive consequences, while bad actions result in negative consequences. The Neoptolemus principle and karma are my personal philosophy. I believe that if I have full faith in these ideas I can have a fulfilled and meaningful life.
There are a couple of sub-philosophies that I believe in that strengthen the ideas of the Neoptolemus principle and karma. These are faith, the overall cosmos, and the separation of soul and body.
The Neoptolemus principle and karma are not concepts that can be quantified or scientifically proven; rather, they rely on an individual's faith in these ideas. Faith, like karma itself, is a deeply personal and unexplainable aspect of human existence. When one experiences faith, it becomes a guiding force in life. My faith isn’t tied to religion, but it is my internal instinct for why I believe I was placed in this universe. I was put here to exert good or bad karma, depending on my decision.
Believing in karma means believing in a force that dictates the human experience. To fully embrace this belief, one must perceive the world and the universe as an interconnected whole, where karma operates uniformly across every corner of existence. As Philip Matyszak eloquently states in his book, "The Greek and Roman Myths," "The order of the universe was complete - it had become a single, organized whole - or, as the Greeks would say, a 'cosmos'" (Matyszak, 24). Seeing the universe as a cosmos for me is seeing the whole human race, planet, galaxy, and universe as a unit connected with an external force, this force being the one that upholds karma.
My belief in karma goes hand in hand with my belief in the separation of body and soul. The Greeks and Romans believed that the soul was an entity created by the heavens and was encased in the human body, experiencing “external reality through the crude filters of the flesh, and was subject to the rough passions and coarse desires of an earthly existence” (Matyszak, 39). I hold this belief close to my heart, acknowledging that my body may have endured mental and physical struggles, but my soul remains untouched by such tribulations. My soul is the one that has control over my karma, not my outer skin that has to endure the hardships of life.
My soul is the source of the positive and negative karma I project into the world. It is responsible for my choice of pursuing a sustainable career, driven by the belief that caring for our Earth will lead to her caring for me. My soul is the guiding force behind my relationships with loved ones, rooted in the belief that the love and care I extend will find its way back to me. The concept of good karma assures me that as long as my soul continues to pursue positive causes in the world, positive effects will manifest, whether immediately, in the near future, or even in the afterlife.
In conclusion, the Neoptolemus principle and karma are core values that transcend time and culture. They are essential to having meaning in my life, and to creating everlasting happiness. My faith in these ideas serves as the compass guiding my life's journey. By embracing the interconnectedness of the universe and understanding the separation of the soul from the body, I find solace in the belief that my actions, driven by my soul, contribute to a cycle of positive karma that ultimately shapes my destiny.
