So, who are you?

[Philosophy Now]

by Rick Lewis

https://philosophynow.org/issues/62/So_who_are_you

[HexHammer]

It's usually futile to try to teach people how they really are, as the truth is repulsive.

Many wants an idyllic picture of themselves, just look at this forum or any other cozy chat forum, as they just can't perceive that they're cozy chatting and not doing philosophy, that they're helplessly ignorant about very basic science and often lacks very basic cognitive abilities.

..and not to speak of how violently they react, it's Plato's cave all over again.

[duszek]

But are we not changing all the time, a little bit every time a new experience entrers into our minds ?

Many of us experience reactions on this forum and readjust their strategies. They become more sociable, more enduring, more patient, more civilized.

Don´t you think ?

[duszek]

I am a result of circumstances, trying to shelter my fading little soul, my wimpy ego.

And looking around me, there is hardly anyone who seems to feel better than myself.

[duszek]

My newest expriment, including a personality change:

I train my arms on s step-machine because my arms are under-muscled and need a build-up.

I hope to get a better breathing, also while I am asleep.

This will hopefully influence my dreams, they will become more confident in their contents.

I will wake up in positive moods and attract positive thoughts and positive feelings towards me.

Will I sound different on this forum then and be someone else ?

[HexHammer]

But are we not changing all the time, a little bit every time a new experience entrers into our minds ?

Many of us experience reactions on this forum and readjust their strategies. They become more sociable, more enduring, more patient, more civilized.

Don´t you think ?

Eh? ..no?
I don't see any improvement, only usually medieval superstition and cozy chat.

[Lev Muishkin]

But are we not changing all the time, a little bit every time a new experience entrers into our minds ?

Many of us experience reactions on this forum and readjust their strategies. They become more sociable, more enduring, more patient, more civilized.

Don´t you think ?

Sociability is not a resource in big quantities around here.
As a newcomer I have been attacked for reasons unknown.
I can't see my patience being increased whilst posting here.

[duszek]

People try things out and see if they can get away with it.

If they find out that when they are rude the person attacked will never talk to them again then they become more careful towards other people.

I hope so.

[HexHammer]

People try things out and see if they can get away with it.

This "try out" haven't exactly lead to anything useful, only the useful cozy chat which isn't philosophy.

[duszek]

I beg to differ.

I have noticed that I am more and more able to articulate my position, to react to insults, to endure hardships, to express positive feedback and so on. I am active on three forums and I have benefited largely from all three and I hope to contribute too.

I feel also more able to judge whether someone has something substantial to say (even if he expresses himself with difficulty) or whether he is just making words to fill a page.

[HexHammer]

I beg to differ.

I have noticed that I am more and more able to articulate my position, to react to insults, to endure hardships, to express positive feedback and so on. I am active on three forums and I have benefited largely from all three and I hope to contribute too.

I feel also more able to judge whether someone has something substantial to say (even if he expresses himself with difficulty) or whether he is just making words to fill a page.

..and what has this to do with philosophy? ..you know .."the love of wisdom"!!!

[surreptitious57]

When I am wrong I accept it
I learn from others wiser than I
No opinion of mine is set in stone
I no longer get angry in cyber debate
The pursuit of knowledge is my life goal
I am as open minded as it is possible to be
I consider all points of view if logically argued
I want to carry on learning until my very last day

[duszek]

I beg to differ.

I have noticed that I am more and more able to articulate my position, to react to insults, to endure hardships, to express positive feedback and so on. I am active on three forums and I have benefited largely from all three and I hope to contribute too.

I feel also more able to judge whether someone has something substantial to say (even if he expresses himself with difficulty) or whether he is just making words to fill a page.

..and what has this to do with philosophy? ..you know .."the love of wisdom"!!!

How to exchange arguments in an atmosphere of mutual respect for another human being is a part of practical wisdom.

To see the logical structure of an argument is an important skill and part of wisdom too.

[HexHammer]

I beg to differ.

I have noticed that I am more and more able to articulate my position, to react to insults, to endure hardships, to express positive feedback and so on. I am active on three forums and I have benefited largely from all three and I hope to contribute too.

I feel also more able to judge whether someone has something substantial to say (even if he expresses himself with difficulty) or whether he is just making words to fill a page.

..and what has this to do with philosophy? ..you know .."the love of wisdom"!!!

How to exchange arguments in an atmosphere of mutual respect for another human being is a part of practical wisdom.

To see the logical structure of an argument is an important skill and part of wisdom too.

That's not exactly wisdom in itself, but you could argue that the wise would be well manners as he would have more listeners and thus be able to enlighten more people than the ill tempered that no one will listen to.

[duszek]

If it´s not exactly wisdom it could be intelligence perhaps.

Analytic and strategic skills.

That help you to procede on the road to wisdom.

Or does wisdom mean a sort of sudden enlightenment ?