Either/Or, the first book by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, explains that human existence is marked by the contrast between a hedonistic/aesthetic life and an ethical life based in duty and commitment.
Sunday afternoon, I was faced by my own either/or, existential dilemma: the hedonistic enjoyment of knitting or the ethical grading of papers I promised my students I’d return next week.
Duty won, but I allowed myself a few breaks – not knitting breaks – to walk Lucy and enjoy the beautiful early March sunshine.
I gave myself permission to knit later Sunday evening, while I watched an episode of season two of Victoria. It seemed like a reasonable payoff for doing my duty.
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