Description

pourquoi faire table rase ?

Why Start From Scratch?

Why Start From Scratch?

Clearing the Slate: A Metaphor for Reinventing Oneself

The phrase “faire table rase” or “start from scratch” has become a frequent topic in recent discussions. It’s encountered in various contexts, from philosophy to everyday life. In this article, we’ll delve into the origin of this expression, its meaning, and its deep significance.

**Origin**

The phrase “faire table rase” comes from the Latin “tabula rasa,” which means “a blank tablet of wax.” In ancient times, scribes and students used wax tablets to write. To erase notes, they completely sanded down the tablet, creating a clean, flat surface. Philosophers of the classical age adopted this metaphor to suggest that a human is born with a blank consciousness, and knowledge and learning are the result of interactions with the environment.

**Meaning**

“To start from scratch” means to completely erase the past – memories, experiences, opinions, beliefs – and begin anew. It implies one becomes fresh and unmarked, ready to explore the world free from the biases of past experiences.

**Deeper Meaning**

Starting from scratch is not just a metaphor but a genuine philosophy of life as well. It proposes that we can free ourselves from the constraints and ties of our past: our mistakes, our automated reflexes, and our fears. We can formulate a new self, one that is freer, more fulfilled, and happier.

**Advantages**

Starting from scratch can offer several advantages:

– It frees us from the weight of the past and enables us to live in the present.
– It grants us the opportunity to start over and create a new self, better suited to our needs and environment.
– It allows us to explore new opportunities and experience new things.

**Drawbacks**

Starting from scratch isn’t without risk. We must be aware that this perspective can lead us to neglect the lessons learned from experience, causing us to repeat the same mistakes. It’s crucial to balance this approach with the necessity to learn from lessons and continuously improve.

**Conclusion**

Starting from scratch can be a potent metaphor to assist us in reinventing our lives. However, it’s vital to understand the limitations and risks tied to this method. We need to maintain a balance between freeing ourselves from our past and gaining wisdom from past experiences to evolve.

**Sources**

* Wiktionary : [https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/faire_table_rase](https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/faire_table_rase)
* Philosophions : [https://philosophions.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/du-passe-faut-il-faire-table-rase/](https://philosophions.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/du-passe-faut-il-faire-table-rase/)
* L’Express : [https://www.expressio.fr/expressions/faire-table-rase](https://www.expressio.fr/expressions/faire-table-rase)