In my life I've turned into a rather literal-minded individual. Being steeped in science and technology has rubbed the philosophy out of me. I view the world through an empirical eye, leaving on the wayside anything that doesn't fit into the rigid testing methods of science. I feel this has caused me to have a disconnect with a way of thought many people have, and so I'd like to learn a bit more about philosophy. Is there a website or a non-christian forum that can be recommended for learning about philosophy?
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
-
CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Learning more about philosophy
- Thread starter ragarth
- Start date
Eudaimonist
I believe in life before death!
- Jan 1, 2003
- 27,482
- 2,738
- 59
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Atheist
- Marital Status
- Private
- Politics
- US-Libertarian
You might be better starting off with a book on philosophy, but here are some links to start you off:
http://atheism.about.com/od/aboutphilosoph1/a/philosophyintro.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy
(also see external links)
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/pecorip/scccweb/INTRO_TEXT/default.htm
If you want to delve into some specific philosophies:
http://www.objectivistcenter.org/cth--1354-Logical_Structure_Objectivism.aspx
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/philosophy/courses/100/100aristotle.htm
Well, that should be enough to get you going.
eudaimonia,
Mark
Upvote
0
2ndRateMind
Pilgrim Defiant
- Sep 8, 2008
- 1,091
- 66
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Single
- Politics
- UK-Greens
Upvote
0
Let me actually recommend that you avoid it. If you're looking to connect with people, read some literature instead. Personally, I like Greek tragedies.
Upvote
0
You can not educate yourself in philosophy by simply reading philosophy books. Go to a university and audit the introduction to philosophy. You really need the experience of the classroom instruction.
If you are significantly older than college age you will really enjoy the youthful atmospher of a campus. The professor also will be very happy to be heard by someone near to his age.
Returning to school as an older student is wonderful, and as a mature person doing the assignments is rather effortless...
Vincent
Upvote
0
I'm a college student right now, this is a good idea, though it'll be interesting to try to put it in practice.
Upvote
0
Man, yahoo answers is the worst place to learn anything except what perverts do to have fun
Upvote
0
Are you an old college student?
If not I'd simply suggest you live more. See ya in ten years.
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
philosophy is always about life and life's experiences.
The best quotes from philosophers worldwide come from what they've experienced personally.
The OP makes it sound as if their life is very restricted.
Going to a section of the school and witnessing other people chat about the subject of philosophy isn't the same as understanding it and simply living your life to gain the experience needed to come to terms with whats often written in books.
Upvote
0
Hah, I'm in my tweens, I'm 26 years old. No, what I meant was that putting auditing any classes in practice is going to be interesting, last time I tried to audit a class I hit a barrel of red tape.
Upvote
0
This is a good idea, but I like to research topics before I dive in, unless the diving in is part of the fun. On topics of knowledge and research I like to do extensive footwork first.
I'd disagree, science has lit a flame of curiosity within me about the natural world that is hard for me to quench. Just because I'm literal and empirical minded does not mean I live a restricted life, it just means I view the world through a different lens than most other people. It opens me to exploring unknowns and phenomena most of my peers never realize is there, and allows me a flight of imagination that others have found difficult to match. An empirical, critical eye towards reality has opened me to many new possibilities, and by turning that eye inward I've been able to gain an understanding into myself deeper than most of my peers. My purpose here is a result of that, I've found myself lacking in terms of philosophical thought beyond the empirical and scientific, and I recognize this as a potential flaw that I wish to correct to better myself.
What I meant by "I view the world through an empirical eye, leaving on the wayside anything that doesn't fit into the rigid testing methods of science." Is that I've begun finding most philosophical topics that apply to me can be defined in scientific terms. The nature of the soul, of free will, and of self can be looked at empirically and conclusions drawn about them. At the same time I understand that this has limits, and though I can't perceive them I believe they are there. These limits, whether imagined or real, are symptomatic of my disconnect that results from my view of reality, and through learning more about philosophy, I can put definition to those limits and reach beyond them.
Upvote
0
That's some heavy stuff. You could be a philosopher yourself.
I know this won't sound scientific, "in the least" but you should pick up a book on metaphysics. I understand already, that this very well may not make any sense. But grab a small book on metaphysics, something easy and do what it says to.
I know I'll get beat up for saying this, but metaphysics has absolutely nothing to do with science. It does however challenge the reader to opening up their mind to possibilities.
Upvote
0
I think the metaphysics you speak of are not the metaphysics I'm used to. My view on metaphysics is equivalent to that of pseudoscience, but I think the word has a different meaning in philosophy, correct?
Upvote
0
No, that's what I meant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is defined as a body of knowledge, methodology, belief, or practice that is claimed to be scientific or made to appear scientific, but does not adhere to the scientific method,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics
Metaphysics investigates principles of reality transcending those of any particular science. Cosmology and ontology are traditional branches of metaphysics
That's not really scientific in nature. It can be considered science to people like Ghost Hunters. Waving a volt meter about and taking pictures of hallways isn't really science. However to a ghost hunter it's better then blind faith.
In actuality, metaphysics is exploring the possibilities. Generally the meaning of that gets confused.
All it really is is a form of allowing yourself to open up to new possibilities.
Upvote
0
Inviolable, I don't mean to be rude, but you don't seem to have a particularly strong philosophical background. Specifically, you don't seem to understand the difference between philosophical metaphysics and the dumb kind. All you seem to be familiar with is the dumb kind, which is the kind on ghost hunters. I can't say I blame you, philosophical metaphysics has been out of vogue for at least 150 years.
Philosophical metaphysics has had to do with claims about things that can never be experienced that underlie our existence. It deals with questions of whether or not free will exists or whether we are determined. It has to do with questions of being, of substance. There is a rich history of metaphysics in philosophy, and it is all from argument. None of it is from faith, it's from premises and arguments, and many of those arguments are very good and worth knowing. That being said, contemporary metaphysics is nothing more than a study of history. To my knowledge, there is no significant metaphysical claim that the philosophical community today takes seriously, as every metaphysical argument is terminally flawed. Metaphysics is a graveyard of ideas.
Philosophical metaphysics has had to do with claims about things that can never be experienced that underlie our existence. It deals with questions of whether or not free will exists or whether we are determined. It has to do with questions of being, of substance. There is a rich history of metaphysics in philosophy, and it is all from argument. None of it is from faith, it's from premises and arguments, and many of those arguments are very good and worth knowing. That being said, contemporary metaphysics is nothing more than a study of history. To my knowledge, there is no significant metaphysical claim that the philosophical community today takes seriously, as every metaphysical argument is terminally flawed. Metaphysics is a graveyard of ideas.
Upvote
0
Yeah,
That's kind of rude.
In all honesty, I cant claim to be extremely strong on the subject.
I know my fair share and I'd say it's more then the average person.
Like you said, over 150 years it's mutated into something a little different but I did bring it back around to what it should be in my opinion at the end of the post.
Here's a silly thread on the subject. Given the first reply I got I thought this would be appropriate.
It's from another forum I visit.
http://allforums.net/showthread.php?t=42160
That's kind of rude.
In all honesty, I cant claim to be extremely strong on the subject.
I know my fair share and I'd say it's more then the average person.
Like you said, over 150 years it's mutated into something a little different but I did bring it back around to what it should be in my opinion at the end of the post.
Here's a silly thread on the subject. Given the first reply I got I thought this would be appropriate.
It's from another forum I visit.
http://allforums.net/showthread.php?t=42160
Upvote
0
Similar threads
