Philosophy
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Are you talking about having a personal philosophy, or do you mean the academics who study it for a living?
Both personal and academic philosophy are important.
Philosophy is asking "why" in the way things are done. It's a field of study in which we already know the answer but must seek the question. The more philosophy you study, the more relative, rather than absolute, everything becomes in life.
Entire civilisations and cultures have been shaped around certain philosophies. Without it, the Greeks wouldn't have developed democracy, and the United States would never have had a constitution.
Philosophy is asking "why" in the way things are done. It's a field of study in which we already know the answer but must seek the question. The more philosophy you study, the more relative, rather than absolute, everything becomes in life.
Entire civilisations and cultures have been shaped around certain philosophies. Without it, the Greeks wouldn't have developed democracy, and the United States would never have had a constitution.
The study of philosophy can be very rewarding. It opens your mind to many possibilities. Anyone that has studied philosophy will recognize philosophical principles in movies like The Matrix. The idea that you cannot necessarily believe what your senses or your memories tell you is very common in philosophical writings. So, for example, philosophers will tell you that there is a possibility that the universe was created a nano second ago, and our memories of a seemingly long life are just an artifact of that very recent creation. And though you may think "poppycock", there is absolutely no way to prove that it is in fact not true.
I often think about the fact that there are an infinite number of possible realities that would appear the same to those of us living in our actual reality. And unless we come upon some detail that differentiates these infinite realities, these infinite possible realities will appear the same. So, for example, in one of these infinite realities, there might exist a deep sea creature, the size of my thumb, that has yet to be discovered. In another reality, aliens might be observing us and we are unaware of it. Clearly though both would be unobserved or unknown facts, one is much more significant than the other. So in other words, some of these infinite realities would vary only in insignificant ways from our observed reality, while in others they would vary in a significant way from our observed reality. And since there is an infinite number of these realities, how likely is it that our actual reality does not have a very large number of differences from our observed reality? Highly unlikely! The only question, is how many significant differences are there in our actual reality?
JD
I often think about the fact that there are an infinite number of possible realities that would appear the same to those of us living in our actual reality. And unless we come upon some detail that differentiates these infinite realities, these infinite possible realities will appear the same. So, for example, in one of these infinite realities, there might exist a deep sea creature, the size of my thumb, that has yet to be discovered. In another reality, aliens might be observing us and we are unaware of it. Clearly though both would be unobserved or unknown facts, one is much more significant than the other. So in other words, some of these infinite realities would vary only in insignificant ways from our observed reality, while in others they would vary in a significant way from our observed reality. And since there is an infinite number of these realities, how likely is it that our actual reality does not have a very large number of differences from our observed reality? Highly unlikely! The only question, is how many significant differences are there in our actual reality?
JD
It's important to be able to think for yourself and have an open mind. I believe philosophy helps teach these traits. Viewing from different perspectives gives a person versatility, broadening choices and helps with decision making. Just because you think a certain way doesn't mean the next person thinks the same way. People need to be more aware of this, IMO, it would bring a lot of peace to our society if people were actually able and allowed to think for themselves, without thinking that everyone else needs to think the same way.. We are all individuals with different interests and ideas and there's always room for improvement, not just as humans but in technology and modernizations... progressing forward without a driving force? Not likely..... It can be relative scientifically, architecturally, spiritually, mechanically, etc and almost any aspect of study without a reason to do something.......what's the point? why? and there it is folks!!
I have a brilliant quote I will post later.
I have a brilliant quote I will post later.
Take only what you need to feed and warm yourself, and family, and listen to the heartbeat of the earth.
Try to return what you've used...and don't condone those who will take for massive profit.
Turn nobody away who needs help to survive, and defend the defenceless, and know the line that separates good and evil.
Save the war paint for those who would see your family harm, as there is no better battle, ......than when one fights for his own.
Try to return what you've used...and don't condone those who will take for massive profit.
Turn nobody away who needs help to survive, and defend the defenceless, and know the line that separates good and evil.
Save the war paint for those who would see your family harm, as there is no better battle, ......than when one fights for his own.
Some of what you refer to above also falls under the umbrella of psychology. I sometimes find it difficult to separate the two. For example, I have a colleague who on most topics is very logical and has a balanced point of view on most topics. BUT, when it comes to Trump, I wonder if he might be clinically insane. He actually told another colleague that Trump was quite possibly the best US president ever ?!?! He believes that Hilary is the devil's representative on this planet. Not sure if this falls under the label of philosophy or psychology?
JD
There’s psychology behind everything human. Philosophy is what we, as individuals, see and believe in the bigger picture... you tell me...
Psychology can influence a persons philosophy...as upbringing, life experience, education etc can all influence a philosophical outlook. It ever changes and evolves.
Here’s the quote I promised.
"The beauty of uncertainty is that it motivates us to seek certainty. We are compelled to replace doubt with conviction, to replace confusion with clarity, to be more fearful of old ideas instead of new ones. Nothing is more disparaged than the person who is lost, hesitant, and anxious. Yet the true path to fulfillment comes from these conditions. Uncertainty becomes truly beautiful when connected with the certainty that there is a better life beyond the life that is known. The artist, scientist, entrepreneur, athlete, and traveller: all embrace uncertainty as their muse. What is going to happen next is more enticing that what is happening now.The thrill of anticipation, the mystery of the unknown, the open road, mistakes as portals of discovery, the inevitability of change, purpose from chaos, questions leading to answers, failure as the threshold of knowledge. All of these conditions inform the life of the adventurer, the human being who is engaged in becoming. The beauty of uncertainty is that it prepares us to embrace life in the face of death. Allows us the strength to deal with the freedom to choose. To Willingly exchange the fear of uncertainty for the security of certainty is to admit defeat. To surrender to the fear of actual living your life. Nothing moves forward except by the craving to seek certainty from uncertainty.
Brian Hendricks
Hobo Magazine
Here’s the quote I promised.
"The beauty of uncertainty is that it motivates us to seek certainty. We are compelled to replace doubt with conviction, to replace confusion with clarity, to be more fearful of old ideas instead of new ones. Nothing is more disparaged than the person who is lost, hesitant, and anxious. Yet the true path to fulfillment comes from these conditions. Uncertainty becomes truly beautiful when connected with the certainty that there is a better life beyond the life that is known. The artist, scientist, entrepreneur, athlete, and traveller: all embrace uncertainty as their muse. What is going to happen next is more enticing that what is happening now.The thrill of anticipation, the mystery of the unknown, the open road, mistakes as portals of discovery, the inevitability of change, purpose from chaos, questions leading to answers, failure as the threshold of knowledge. All of these conditions inform the life of the adventurer, the human being who is engaged in becoming. The beauty of uncertainty is that it prepares us to embrace life in the face of death. Allows us the strength to deal with the freedom to choose. To Willingly exchange the fear of uncertainty for the security of certainty is to admit defeat. To surrender to the fear of actual living your life. Nothing moves forward except by the craving to seek certainty from uncertainty.
Brian Hendricks
Hobo Magazine
