I don't quite "get it" - therefore rejected as a Philosopher?

[Gottservant]

Hi there,

So I have been struggling with the problem of knowledge for some time, and I finally arrived at the solution: know less. But this presents a problem. Say I persistently "don't get it" - am I therefore rejected as a Philsopher? Doesn't a Philosopher need to "get it" "all the time"?

Is there any sense in which you can be a Philosopher if you don't quite get it? A lesser Philosopher?

 

[quatona]

You may still get an E for effort.

 

[Inkfingers]

Philosophy is loving wisdom.

You are turning away from knowing.

The sign-posts are pointing in opposite directions there; have you been spending too much time listening to that brain-rotted waster McKenna?

 

[Gottservant]

You may still get an E for effort.

Great.

 

[Gottservant]

Philosophy is loving wisdom.

You are turning away from knowing.

The sign-posts are pointing in opposite directions there; have you been spending too much time listening to that brain-rotted waster McKenna?

I am hated for my love for McKenna, if that's what you mean, yes.

I don't actually see a problem in choosing wisdom over knowledge, either.

 

[Inkfingers]

I am hated for my love for McKenna, if that's what you mean, yes.

I don't hate you for him.

I simply recognise him as a drug-addled charlatan who was very skilled at fleecing the dope-heads with pseudo-mystical drivel about hallucinations.

I don't actually see a problem in choosing wisdom over knowledge, either.

You cannot have wisdom without knowing; wisdom is knowing truth.

 

[kristina411]

Who is McKenna? Sorry to go off topic but I have heard you speak of this person repeatedly. I thought it was a forum user but I'm guessing no?

 

[jacknife]

Who is McKenna? Sorry to go off topic but I have heard you speak of this person repeatedly. I thought it was a forum user but I'm guessing no?

if im not mistaken this man Terence McKenna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[kristina411]

if im not mistaken this man Terence McKenna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thank you for sharing that.

I'm quite unsettled with his encouragement of drugs, especially mushrooms.

 

[Gottservant]

I don't hate you for him.

I simply recognise him as a drug-addled charlatan who was very skilled at fleecing the dope-heads with pseudo-mystical drivel about hallucinations.

Whatever, it hardly convinces me that he wasn't a warm congenial man with an interest in the esoterica of human consciousness (as a tool for re-engineering oppressive cultural norms)

You cannot have wisdom without knowing; wisdom is knowing truth.

Ah, back to topic - excellent.

Wisdom is knowing truth? Based on what Wisdom?

Thanks.

 

[Gottservant]

Thank you for sharing that.

I'm quite unsettled with his encouragement of drugs, especially mushrooms.

He never forced mushrooms on a single person, not in his entire life.

(He did however note that it is quite possible to define LSD as a psychoactive substance that sometimes causes psychotic reactions in people who have not taken it, as you may be struggling with now - just noting).

 

[kristina411]

He never forced mushrooms on a single person, not in his entire life.

(He did however note that it is quite possible to define LSD as a psychoactive substance that sometimes causes psychotic reactions in people who have not taken it, as you may be struggling with now - just noting).

My issue would be him encouraging it. You dont have to force something for your actions to be inappropriate. I know first hand just how dangerous psilocybin mushrooms can be. 10 years ago I would have rolled my eyes at a statement like this. Until it happened to me.
I have taken LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstacy, and the like. I tried them before I found Christianity. I was told they would bring enlightenment, a different state of awareness, even pretty colors. It had its fun moments but it was nothing anyone explained it to be, only a mild change in mental awareness (as in slightly withdrawn into my own head and less with the rest of the world) and not enough visual stimulation to ever desire to do it again, considering the health risks involved.

No one should ever encourage the use of psychedelic drugs, especially without being under direct constant supervision of a skilled medical doctor.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Useless klnowledge they teach at school, cramming full of equations most people will never use. Its an education forthe potential upper classes, would be scientists or doctors etc. The kind of education the worker needs is IMO in the dangers of the world, how to succeed with fewer skills, use logic and critical thinking, and the benifits of trade unions. Philosophically, I have often tried to memorise for the sake of seeming bright, and saying clever things. Recently a shi'a musilim told me being a hakim is living with wisdom, following the rules of Islam. Thats a vastly different model to the "cram facts or flip burgers" one valued in the West. Its more like "saintly virtue" in Christianity, where you dont have to be a Phd to earn respect. Only an abbot or super priest. Of course we like in a knowledge based economy, and the skillful will earn the prestige. But knowledge is more of a means than an end, taken literally. Education is exploitation, at times.

 

[Inkfingers]

Useless klnowledge they teach at school, cramming full of equations most people will never use. Its an education forthe potential upper classes, would be scientists or doctors etc.

Firstly, scientists and doctors are not inherently upper class. The professions are more the realm of the Middle Classes.

Secondly, this is the second time recently that you have made a point of class - is it something that is of great importance to you?

Thirdly, if the education only educated the proles for prole work the left would whine that education is elitist...

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Whats wrog with discussing class, its a sociological issue. And socially constructed. I persanally think its divicive (at times), and leads to resentment especially amongst the relatively talentless like me. A situaltion of winners and losers, havs, have nots and wannabees. I am not a socialist, but prefer the sociable to such "political philosophy". I think in venezuela the socialists have triesd to do away with a manegerial class who run things in their own interests. Lets face it they can run circles - controlling the media, jobs in politics, military command etc...


is this some kind of "auto-fail" or taboo subject? who set that agenda. Is it time to wear a mandatory foil hat? No, God bles God is awesome and leads to peace.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Thirdly, if the education only educated the proles for prole work the left would whine that education is elitist...

Isnt that what they do, they edutate for "the economy"? So "less knowledge" is a backwards move in that light.

And any personal development issues, you are expected to read "self help" books. But half the population are not that hot at reading, our friends in high places excluded. So people feel resentment, identify with rock and roll rebellion, and drink their lives away (maybe). At leat I did, and I see it in the media, with adolescent "I wan to be me, I dont care, I wanna rebel" psychology exploited.

But what go(o)d does that actually do, serve? The go(o)d of freedom, at any expense?

People complain that their children are being "culturally abducted" by the entertainments industry - and the role models provided are counterproductive to the common good. I have a Catholic acquaintence whose daughter ended up hooked on drugs, pink hair, etc, yet she had been given a Christian upbringing. I am not claiming to have the answers - any input would be appreciated. I feel brave saying these things tho, for some reason.

Challenge your faith.

 

[AlephBet]

Hi there,

So I have been struggling with the problem of knowledge for some time, and I finally arrived at the solution: know less. But this presents a problem. Say I persistently "don't get it" - am I therefore rejected as a Philsopher? Doesn't a Philosopher need to "get it" "all the time"?

Is there any sense in which you can be a Philosopher if you don't quite get it? A lesser Philosopher?

The love of wisdom is the search for it. The pearl itself is not the treasure, but the work to uncover it and the very nature that produced it.

"He says to his son: Be not arrogant because of that which thou knowest; deal with the ignorant as with the learned; for the barriers of art are not closed, no artist being in possession of the perfection to which he should aspire. But good words are more difficult to find than the emerald, for it is by slaves that that is discovered among the rocks of pegmatite."

Slaves dig.

Joseph / Ptah-Hotep Maxims