Philosophy

[Rorschach Twin]

no, this is not a rant about philosophy.. well, I guess it is, inadvertently.

I'm so sick of trying to talk about philosophies with people, and they responding, "well that's interesting and all, but it doesn't matter.. and it isn't going to pay the bills."

WHAT?!

How can it not be important? All logic, knowledge, religion, and basically anything is based in some sort of philosophy.. I mean, I hate to turn it around, but I usually say "you can say the same thing about religion. Religions are just philosophies."

I mean... it's hard to debate that with somebody that ignorant of such a subject though, because they'll just be like "stop being all philosophical.. waaaah."

whatever..

"The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being." ~Socrates.

[Nevan]

Philosophy = love of wisdom.

Sadly, not everybody loves wisdom and therefore don't care to pursue it. I agree with you however. I just tend to avoid philosohpical discussions because it makes me really depressed about life, the universe and everything.

So I shall stick to 42.

*but we can talk Socrates if you like*

[Delkaetre]

Studying the Enlightenment as part of my course, so if you want to talk about
-Hobbes
-Locke
-Descartes
-Rousseau
-interpretations of Robinson Crusoe/ Frankenstein
then I'm right here. It'll give you intellectual stimulation and give me more ideas for using in my essays and class discussions.

[Underwater Ophelia]

The problem is that people have learned to accept failure as normal. They've learned to accept stupidity as normal.

Now, I'm not saying I hate stupid people. Not true. I realize that NOT everyone is created equal, and some people are just not intelligent. That's ok--it doesn't lessen their person. What I hate is when people don't try to be smart. When they don't want to learn, and they just want to continue being stupid because they're just lazy.

[Delkaetre]

Nothing quite like watching a populace languishing in blissful ignorance to make me thankful for my literacy and scepticism.

[Tam Li Hua]

Egad! I'd love to know how it isn't important to daily lives! For instance, if someone adheres to a particular religion, it's -definitely- going to affect how they live, who they marry, how they spend their money, etc.

If it were me, I'd ask them why they're afraid to discuss things of a deeper nature.

[ApothoKeri]

Well, I must say that is a very flawed argument.

First off, Philosophy can pay your bills. For one (of many examples) where do they think that Philosophy professors get money to by their food? It's not just from being a teacher, it is teaching a specific area that they have extensive knowledge in...that being Philosophy.

Secondly, if someone is not making a living due to philosophy, it still does not mean that it is not important. Sure, it is important to pay your bills but other things (which vary from person to person) are also important. Anything that gives a specific person enjoyment and enriches their life, being it learning philosophy, baking elaborate cakes, playing soccer, etc. is an addition to making a person a fuller, more satisfies human being.

Third, knowledge in general and in every specific subject is important to us as a world community. If it wasn't, we would not (as a society) go to school or require it above about 3rd grade when basic reading and writing for general communication ability was mastered.

[black_heart]

I'm always up for discussion on Philosophy and meanings about life etc but it seems no one can be bothered cos they know it will end up in either a debate where no one can be proved wrong or right or everyone will give up cos we don't know anything really. I totally get what you mean. Are you studying Philosophy or Ethics in school/college/uni? I did for a year in high school but we weren't allowed any input or to discuss our own reasonings, all we did was learn about Aristotle and Natural Law and Immanuel Kant and how happiness is the main goal of life.
I am very doubtful about Religion yet I try to believe in God because I feel that we can't all be alone. Meh, I don't know. I'm also scared that if there is a Heaven and Hell after I die and I will be punished for being a non believer. However, there's not much evidence so I can caryr on being skeptical.

[Mon Coeur Noir]

Originally Posted by ApothoKeri

Well, I must say that is a very flawed argument.

First off, Philosophy can pay your bills. For one (of many examples) where do they think that Philosophy professors get money to by their food? It's not just from being a teacher, it is teaching a specific area that they have extensive knowledge in...that being Philosophy.

Secondly, if someone is not making a living due to philosophy, it still does not mean that it is not important. Sure, it is important to pay your bills but other things (which vary from person to person) are also important. Anything that gives a specific person enjoyment and enriches their life, being it learning philosophy, baking elaborate cakes, playing soccer, etc. is an addition to making a person a fuller, more satisfies human being.

Third, knowledge in general and in every specific subject is important to us as a world community. If it wasn't, we would not (as a society) go to school or require it above about 3rd grade when basic reading and writing for general communication ability was mastered.

GEEZ! That was pretty much everything I wanted to say. I agree with you 100%

[GothicChristian]

Originally Posted by ApothoKeri

Well, I must say that is a very flawed argument.

First off, Philosophy can pay your bills. For one (of many examples) where do they think that Philosophy professors get money to by their food? It's not just from being a teacher, it is teaching a specific area that they have extensive knowledge in...that being Philosophy.

Secondly, if someone is not making a living due to philosophy, it still does not mean that it is not important. Sure, it is important to pay your bills but other things (which vary from person to person) are also important. Anything that gives a specific person enjoyment and enriches their life, being it learning philosophy, baking elaborate cakes, playing soccer, etc. is an addition to making a person a fuller, more satisfies human being.

Third, knowledge in general and in every specific subject is important to us as a world community. If it wasn't, we would not (as a society) go to school or require it above about 3rd grade when basic reading and writing for general communication ability was mastered.

Exactly! I couldn't have put it better myself.

[Delkaetre]

Without philosophers questioning the workings of the world and thinking their way through strange new plateaus, we wouldn't have modern government, modern science, healthcare, education, mathematics....
All those famous names who helped develop things to the way they are today? You can bet they were either philosophers or read extensively in philosophical treatise.

[Rorschach Twin]

Originally Posted by Delkaetre

Without philosophers questioning the workings of the world and thinking their way through strange new plateaus, we wouldn't have modern government, modern science, healthcare, education, mathematics....
All those famous names who helped develop things to the way they are today? You can bet they were either philosophers or read extensively in philosophical treatise.

Exactly. But it seems impossible for people to comprehend that.

[Delkaetre]

Well, Galileo wasn't exactly appreciated in his timeframe either...

[Rorschach Twin]

You know... not a lot of influential people were..

Like I've said on many occasions when people comment oh how "rude" I am.

"Well behaved people rarely have much effect."

[Underwater Ophelia]

Well, you might actually be being rude.
That's a bit different than not being appreciated.

[Paigeybobert]

I know exactly how you feel. My mom always gives me shit saying "You think you're such a philosopher, Paige!" It gets really annoying that people don't really process what I say and stuff. My brother also gives me shit saying that if I take some classes in philosophy that it won't do anything to help me in the long-run. I love philosophy for myself, to learn all I can.

[silverbaal]

Lack of wisdom and stupidity even has become the norm.

I've stopped caring. I used to try to enlighten people. Now I don't bother.

[Zerachiel]

I love Philosophy, not just that, but me...I'm VERY analytical so I tend to cross Psychology with Philosophy...And well it does tend to add up pretty funny. But I have to agree I've tried to have some conversations with people and I get the same "That's nice...On to something else." response. -.- People are lame.

[Rorschach Twin]

Originally Posted by Underwater Ophelia

Well, you might actually be being rude.
That's a bit different than not being appreciated.

True, but the things is, I'm not being rude. I usually just try to challenge people's opinions, to have conversation, and see if they can actually support them. Of course, the majority of the time, they can't.. I live in the very conservative south, so you have to understand... most people will hardly think about things and follow what others say. I suppose it's that way everywhere though.

[ApothoKeri]

Originally Posted by Rorschach Twin

True, but the things is, I'm not being rude. I usually just try to challenge people's opinions, to have conversation, and see if they can actually support them. Of course, the majority of the time, they can't.. I live in the very conservative south, so you have to understand... most people will hardly think about things and follow what others say. I suppose it's that way everywhere though.

Well, keep in mind that being confrontational can be a form of being rude. You can't force people to talk to you about something just like you can't force people to play a sport or start traveling. It may not be that they are stupid but simply that they have no interest in the subject or discussing it with you. I can think of a lot of subjects that bore me (wild boar hunting, country music, etc.) and I would not be interested in discussing those things but that does not mean that there are not others out their with different interests that love to think and talk about those things. However just having a person ask you over and over is kind of like being harassed by a telemarketer. Make sure that you respect the people that you will spend your time in discussion with and approach them politely. It may make them more willing to have a discussion with you as opposed to dismissing you with a mere "it's not important, be gone" kind of thing. Or maybe it won't, just a suggestion, I have found that the better you treat people, the better they treat you, strangers especially.

[Rosie]

Yes. It disgusts me that "paying the bills" is all that matters even more now than ever.