 |
RTP Discussions
(To Join, please read the "HOW TO JOIN" post under "Site General")
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
PurpleStikyPunch
Joined: 24 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:41 am Post subject: What's the point? |
 |
|
One of my majors is philosophy, I can't help but love the process of thinking. But most of my friends have asked me "what's the point"?, and I'll be the first to admit that I've asked it from time to time myself. Some discussions to me just seem utterly trivial. Perhaps one of the most important ones of all, "Do we even exist", is actually among those that I like the least. A common term I've heard used by many to describe philosophy is "mental masterbation". But that's ok with me, I dare to say I rather like masterbation....  But a true philosopher needs to see that this is a very important thing to think about. Although it's not a science, it's no different than asking an astronomer or biologist... what's the point? I think probably the most basic answer I can think of to engage in philosophy is because science simply can't prove everything. There are many questions that plague the human condition that can't be tested and retested. Science describes philosophy as "trying to understand the universe in human terms". I think it goes beyond the universe. One can obviously not test the validity of life after death or the separation of mind beyond the body. But despite the nonscientific nature of such things, it seems as humans being we can't ignore these issues. The main problem that I have with philosophy is that because it's not science we are never satisfied. When do you go from question, to acceptance? Can we ever truly say, about the existence of the soul for example, "there is no proof of this, but because the philosophical argument is so valid it can't be untrue". I guess "the point" is becoming satisified, if even on a personal level, in the answer to questions that we can't prove, but can believe if there's a sensible enough reason.
_________________
"Discover your own path to enlightenment with diligence".
- Buddha |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
HarryStottle
Site Admin
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 372
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: What's the point? |
|
|
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | Some discussions to me just seem utterly trivial. Perhaps one of the most important ones of all, "Do we even exist", is actually among those that I like the least. |
Is that still your view after reading chapters 3 & 4 or have you not yet read them? If you have and that is still your view, then I'm disappointed because obviously I have failed in my self appointed task of making people realise why the "First Question" is so important.
I can't really continue discussing that aspect until I know the answer to my questions. If you have read those chapters and disagree with them, then we need a completely different discussion to that which may be required if you haven't read them at all.
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | I think probably the most basic answer I can think of to engage in philosophy is because science simply can't prove everything. |
this suggests to me that you haven't read those chapters. If so you'd be aware of my support for the positivist argument that science can't "prove" anything, let alone everything. This is directly relevant to the importance of the First Question, which sets the limits to knowledge and certainty.
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | Science describes philosophy as "trying to understand the universe in human terms". I think it goes beyond the universe. |
By definition there can be nothing "beyond" the universe, although talk of the "multiverse" has muddied the water somewhat. Technically, if the "multiverse" model is viable, then it would still be "the universe" but that slice of it which we inhabit and which has the physical laws we currently regard as "universal" would no longer be defined as the universe, but rather a bounded domain within the universe.
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | One can obviously not test the validity of life after death or the separation of mind beyond the body. But despite the nonscientific nature of such things, it seems as humans being we can't ignore these issues. |
which is why I define them as "Fourth Question" issues (see Chapter 2)
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | Can we ever truly say, about the existence of the soul for example, "there is no proof of this, but because the philosophical argument is so valid it can't be untrue". |
we wouldn't want to. But we can say that such an argument is a load of bollocks! Again, this kind of discussion is dealt with in Chapters 3 & 4 so I won't repeat those arguments here.
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | I guess "the point" is becoming satisified, if even on a personal level, in the answer to questions that we can't prove, but can believe if there's a sensible enough reason. |
"Sensible enough reason" is close enough to "Rationality" which is the final point made in Chapter 3 - which defines Rationality - what it is reasonable to believe.
However, the simple, and I believe, best answer to your overall question is contained in Chapter 4, though I can't claim credit for it. It is Karl Marx's famous dictum:
The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jesus 2.3
Joined: 03 Jul 2010
Posts: 19
Location: Harman Geist Stadium
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:30 pm Post subject: Re: What's the point? |
|
|
| PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | One of my majors is philosophy, I can't help but love the process of thinking. |
What are you thinking about at the moment then? | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | But most of my friends have asked me "what's the point"? |
You are a point, and i am a point, and all together we are a wave. A light wave is made up of both points & waves (look it up). Our minds perceive this reality through the airwaves - sight & sound. But don't forget that we feel & we touch, and we do this to each other. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | ...and I'll be the first to admit that I've asked it from time to time myself. |
What's 'it'? And did 'it' answer you back? | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | Some discussions to me just seem utterly trivial. Perhaps one of the most important ones of all, "Do we even exist", is actually among those that I like the least. |
Probably because it is an unimportant question and a complete trivial pursuit. You've either got too much time on your hands, or too much money in your pocket to ask such a trivial question. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | A common term I've heard used by many to describe philosophy is "mental masterbation". |
Did you get an orgasm? Wouldn't that be heaven? That would be heaven for me, a nonstop orgasm. for the love of my life, it's quite different though. She wants the security of knowing somebody will be their's in the next moment. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | But that's ok with me, I dare to say I rather like masterbation.... |
I do to, but i'm telling you the truth - it's more fun when we do it together. I hope i don't shock you. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | But a true philosopher needs to see that this is a very important thing to think about. |
How right your are to write those words, you seem to be a wise man. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | Although it's not a science, it's no different than asking an astronomer or biologist... what's the point? |
Again you are correct. I'd like to ask those astronomers and biologists whats the point? I suppose they have time on their hands, and have conned somebody into paying them. So they profit from it. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | I think probably the most basic answer I can think of to engage in philosophy is because science simply can't prove everything. |
What needs to be proven, open your eyes. If its there it is real, and it is not going away. That is the truth. Do you understand it? | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | There are many questions that plague the human condition that can't be tested and retested. Science describes philosophy as "trying to understand the universe in human terms". I think it goes beyond the universe. |
We are humans and we live in the universe. Need i go beyond that? | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | One can obviously not test the validity of life after death or the separation of mind beyond the body. But despite the nonscientific nature of such things, it seems as humans being we can't ignore these issues. |
Who needs to test the validity of life after death. Do you understand that you'll be dead in the next moment? If you understand this then you know the truth, if you can't understand this then you have not taken complete control of your mind and your body. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | The main problem that I have with philosophy is that because it's not science we are never satisfied. |
I'm quite satisfied. Maybe you need a new teacher. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | When do you go from question, to acceptance? |
You can't unless in reality you truly know. I know what Truth is, in reality you must have faith that i will tell you what i can. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | Can we ever truly say, about the existence of the soul for example, "there is no proof of this, but because the philosophical argument is so valid it can't be untrue". |
You've confused me with this one, try to rephrase it. | PurpleStikyPunch wrote: | | I guess "the point" is becoming satisified, if even on a personal level, in the answer to questions that we can't prove, but can believe if there's a sensible enough reason. |
Hear is my reason for wanting to stay alive, i'm a survivor with a loving wife. But for some that isn't enough, and it wasn't for me.
I've tested a master mind, and this is how this mastermind, mastered his mind...
In my Mind God is Reason,
& as the breath gathers in my lungs,
the word that passes through my lips is Allah.
I've laid out the reasons for this in a youtube video.
You don't have to agree, but know that i am right.
Test me if you'd like. It don't bother me. I'm just living my life - C'est la Vie.
_________________
I'm back with a new name, but you may not have known me before.
I have many names, Daniel is one of them.
Daniel was a prophet, this one's a mastermind.
In virtual reality i'm Jesus 2.3 - but i am no god!
i'm just an asswhole who knows it all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
