Hi AS
I wish I could say this was a quick response of 5 words or less...
Here goes nuthin':
M: Philosophy Now is pretty good, huh ? Was it only then that you realised your keen ability to think for yourself ? Perhaps reading/ engaging in Philosophy has made you even more aware of different aspects of life’s questions/debates; however, from what you say about your moral compasss and dislike of Christian groupthink, you were already pretty grounded.
AS: Now I am completely aware of my stupidity...and my inability to conquer it...and not just my own....other people's as well!
M: Some perceived ‘stupidities’ are pretty harmless. Like spending time responding to posts, when it is sunny out ! What kind of harmful stupidity are you talking about? How are you unable to deal with it in yourself and others; how would ‘Philosophical Enquiry’ help ?
AS: I have bouts of anxiety, it has been my experience that it always goes away within a matter of hours...on rare occasion the next day I am fine....so when I have anxiety now, I tell myself that it will go away soon and it is only a figment of my imagination.
M: Hmmm, is that truly a philosophical method of enquiry ? Telling yourself that anxiety is only a figment of imagination ? Knowledge of self and own experience certainly aids in coping; most things will pass – and might be exacerbated by the mind. I agree more with the examination – looking at the ‘What?’ of the problem – the facts and putting them into perspective. However, it could be argued that this is not so much based on ‘Philosophical Enquiry’ – rather a capacity for practical reasoning, gained by experience. Somehow, people get by without subscribing to Philosophy Now.
AS: My example is Bertrand Russel and his first wife. I believe that if we applied philosophical enquiry to matters of our love lives we could possibly have more fulfilling relationships which might make for better family life for kids. Just a hunch.
M: Hmmm, I've no idea about Russel and wife...
I think we need to be sure of what we mean by ‘philosophical enquiry’ – it is a bit of an umbrella term, is it not, which includes abstract and conceptual thinking. Perhaps you have a point, everyone should think carefully about ‘What is Love?’ before they even start a relationship; but then again…
At what level of society, do you think this could be introduced; primary school ? I read an interesting article about teaching Philo Enquiry to school kids. Might post it, it's refreshing.
AS: the answer to the question "what do I desire" sometimes changes throughout life.
M: Well, yes…if anyone ever has the time, or inclination, to reflect at all on their own life…
AS: If it is a probability that at some point most people will want a romantic relationship that will give them a content partnership for a while, then would it not stand to reason they should find like minded people?
M: Careful thought about the ‘Who?’, huh ? ‘Romance and Reason’, hmmm, go on write the book !
The goal of ‘What’ is fine and can be written in stone, even if unrealistic ; the ‘When’ and ‘How’…not so easy to control.
AS: Here is the article:
http://www.alternet.org/belief/why-are- ... 901960&t=5
M: I read it, and found this relevant:
{
We push threatening information away; we pull friendly information close.” Our faculties are usually put to the task of trying to defend what we already believe, not towards developing a better understanding of the world.}
Now, that is where I find philosophy most useful. Getting past own inclinations and taking time to examine the other pov - it is challenging to apply the 'Principle of Charity'...
AS: I know I don't know...that is the only thing I know.
M: Rubbish!
M:this little piggy went to market...
AS: This little pig ate roast beast...
M: Because he had no desire for boiled ham...
