Philosophy... What is the point?

[quatona]

It makes perfect sense as a poetry.

Not to beat this thing to death (and, just to avoid misunderstandings, I love poetry), but a poetic phrase tends to be speaking to those to whom it speaks.
While this is certainly a nice thing for those to whom it speaks (and no matter how different the things are that it tells each of them), for the others it will come with the various interpretation problems that we encounter here day in day out with the bible.

It may be stated literally as: "It's good to be open to new ideas, but not at the expense of rationality."

This makes perfect sense to me. I am not entirely sure, though, that this is the interpretation the poster who quoted it had in mind.

Btw. I personally love poetry best when it tries to express things that can not be expressed in an equally short sentence (and even much clearer so) in down-to-earth language. But that´s just me.

 

[cantata]

Imagine my amazement, cantata, when - after having discovered so many similar ideas - finding out that "truth" plays such an essential part in your approach, while it is completely insignificant in mine.
I guess there will come the time and occasion for discussing this.

Yes, I noticed this earlier - I'm really looking forward to talking about it, whenever that happens

 

[Received]

In my experience, philosophy loses itself in infinity unless it's somehow tied in with practical solutions. This is implied in the etymology of the word: love of wisdom, as Eudaimonist pointed out. The essential question to solve is the one Camus posited: is life worth living? Then the entreaty of Socrates: examine your own life, and work from there. Wisdom isn't the accumulation of insights for the goal of contemplation; this can make you respected, or for the same reason rejected, or even insane, hermetic, lost. The goal is to learn how to love life, how to actualize your life to the fullest. The broader problems, be they epistemtological, political, or whatever, should be solved with the practical end in mind. It should also be attended with realism. If you find twenty serious views of beauty (as Tolstoy unveiled in What is Art?), it would be wise to be content with formulating your own basic opinion and moving on with your life. There's more to life than contemplating life.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Great post, Received!


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[JohnElias]

Well, it impresses some of the ladies.

That's my excuse anyways.

 

[Received]

Philosophy doesn't really impress the ladies. Poetry and guitar playing more than impresses them.

Which is why I write poetry and play guitar.

 

[Received]

Daniel Dennett speculated over an evolutionary link that explains why chicks dig guitar players so much.

 

[nadroj1985]

And we must remember that, if Daniel Dennett gets any chicks, it is more than likely due to his rockin' beard, and not to his philosophical ability.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Philosophy doesn't really impress the ladies.

I always knew I took a wrong turn somewhere.

Seriously, though. I met my wife at a messageboard called PhilosophySphere. So philosophical discussion does count for something.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[stan1980]

Well I can certainly tell you what not to study if you want to impress the chicks; Economics. Unless of course it helps you to obtain a massive pile of cash.

 

[mpok1519]

This might, for some of you, be one of the most ignorant posts you will read this year. But what actually is the point to philosophy as, as far as I can tell philosophy doesn't really get you very far.

I hear concepts such as free will, determinism, the fact we can't even be sure if we exist blah blah blah, and granted they are interesting topics, but also rather pointless. I mean, so what if I don't really exist, so what if I don't have free will, what difference does that make to anything? I believe I exist, I believe I have free will, and that is all that really matters, isn't it?

Feel free to flame away, call me an idiot etc.

well, then again, what does matter? your question matter?

If Philosophy is so pointless, why even ask the question?

What you are doing, essentially, is philosophy. "Why does (insert whatever here) matter?"

yes, you are correct when you say it is a very ignorant question.

Thats like asking "Whats the point of life?" when you already know "life" itself is the answer.

 

[Received]

And we must remember that, if Daniel Dennett gets any chicks, it is more than likely due to his rockin' beard, and not to his philosophical ability.

I think he's shooting for the Santa lookalike thing 'cause he's a pedophile. Not just any pedophile. An evolutionary philosophy pedophile.

 

[NavyGuy7]

I think he's shooting for the Santa lookalike thing 'cause he's a pedophile. Not just any pedophile. An evolutionary philosophy pedophile.

.......
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Wow... I didn't have to do anything that time to further trash our image.... wow.....
Plus... I think you're gonna get reported. Whether or not you are correct, I'm sure SOMEONE is hovering that mouse button over the Report button. And for once it's not me.....

 

[Received]

Either that or they'll have to develop a sense of humor.

They'll just have to.

 

[cantata]

Either that or they'll have to develop a sense of humor.

They'll just have to.

Aw, Daniel Dennett's my favourite bearded atheist paedophile evolutionary philosopher

Did you know he's got nukes?

 

[Received]

Dan Dennett ontologically analyzing the awesomeness of Coke.

 

[NavyGuy7]

Either that or they'll have to develop a sense of humor.

They'll just have to.

I have one. But.. I don't think I get the joke, and I'm pretty sure I don't joke about "pedophile" type stuff..

Meh wahtever.
Moving ON!

 

[Received]

You clearly don't watch Family Guy. That's the first step to being a philosopher: watching a bunch of Family Guy.

 

[NavyGuy7]

You clearly don't watch Family Guy. That's the first step to being a philosopher: watching a bunch of Family Guy.

I used to. But then I had this thing going on for four months.. oh what was it now?
I joined the Navy. That's it.
I haven't solidly watched TV in 4 months.
Movies on my computer don't count.