Philosophy?

[thedoc]

Could someone explain what hostility and abuse have to do with philosophy? There seems to be a lot of it on this forum, and mostly I can ignore it but occasionally it intrudes into a thread that I want to read. I understand that ad hominems are part of logic, as a fallacy, and logic is part of philosophy, so sometimes people make that mistake and often it is on purpose.

[Immanuel Can]

Nothing.

It's a way of escaping an idea a person doesn't like, just like all ad hominems. But I fear any pleas for civility and wisdom are likely to fall on deaf ears, at least among those who imagine that stultifying all discussions and striking some kind of unthinking, cynical pose is a sort of "win." I actually can't imagine what they think they win. I suppose somebody must think they're clever, but I can't imagine who or why.

Anyway, none of it has the least bit to do with philosophy, so that's kind of sad. I do wish they'd have some standards on this board, because there are really good people on it, but they get drowned out by the obscurantists much of the time.

[Jaded Sage]

An insult is not the same thing as an ad hominem attack. Therefore, it has no legitimate place in a philosophy forum. I think some people come here to argue as a fight, rather than as a debate. That, however, is the proper way to take out frustrations and other emotional disturbances. Not as a fight, but as a debate. Therefore, we give them credit for doing the almost right thing. If they would just give up the brandishing and brash insults, they could technically be said to be doing what is right and proper. The favorite thing to do is correct an unimportant mistake while ignoring important mistakes. I cannot understand why, and I do not wish to. I would not like to be such a way, having a habit of ignoring what is important and focusing on what is unimportant. It must be terrible and confusing. I know because the opposite is clearly wonderful and wonderfully clear.

[Dalek Prime]

Could someone explain what hostility and abuse have to do with philosophy? There seems to be a lot of it on this forum, and mostly I can ignore it but occasionally it intrudes into a thread that I want to read. I understand that ad hominems are part of logic, as a fallacy, and logic is part of philosophy, so sometimes people make that mistake and often it is on purpose.

Fuck off.....

[Harbal]

It's a way of escaping an idea a person doesn't like,

You could be right. I often look for ideas I don't like, specifically so that I can escape them by making disruptive posts.

But I fear any pleas for civility and wisdom are likely to fall on deaf ears

I suspect you may be right again. I am always being criticised for being ad hominous but it seems to have very little effect on my behaviour.

I suppose somebody must think they're clever

That's what I'm hoping.

there are really good people on it, but they get drowned out by the obscurantists much of the time.

They could always ignore the obscurantists .

BTW. Thanks for teaching me a new word (obscurantists).

[marjoram_blues]

Strange thing, I was actually thinking that Rick's 'pub' was becoming lighter and brighter - a bit like a French salon.
Pleasing and educational. A theatre of conversation and exchange - high standards of politeness and civility.

[Dalek Prime]

Strange thing, I was actually thinking that Rick's 'pub' was becoming lighter and brighter - a bit like a French salon.
Pleasing and educational. A theatre of conversation and exchange - high standards of politeness and civility.

You too....

I'll be the cranky, farting guy in the dark corner of the pub.

[marjoram_blues]

Strange thing, I was actually thinking that Rick's 'pub' was becoming lighter and brighter - a bit like a French salon.
Pleasing and educational. A theatre of conversation and exchange - high standards of politeness and civility.

You too....

I'll be the cranky, farting guy in the dark corner of the pub.

Shame it's summer; no log-fire or poker. Let's do it en plein air...

[thedoc]

Thankyou, JS. and IC. I hope you realize I was venting my frustrations at some of the content of this forum.

DP, thanks for adding something? to this thread. And MB. I liked the sarcasm, intentional or not.

I thought you could play poker any time of year?

[thedoc]

I'll be the cranky, farting guy in the dark corner of the pub.

We've noticed.

[marjoram_blues]

Thankyou, JS. and IC. I hope you realize I was venting my frustrations at some of the content of this forum.

DP, thanks for adding something? to this thread. And MB. I liked the sarcasm, intentional or not.

I thought you could play poker any time of year?

Keep your sense of humour, doc. Stay well and all the best!

[Nick_A]

Thedoc wrote:

Could someone explain what hostility and abuse have to do with philosophy? There seems to be a lot of it on this forum, and mostly I can ignore it but occasionally it intrudes into a thread that I want to read. I understand that ad hominems are part of logic, as a fallacy, and logic is part of philosophy, so sometimes people make that mistake and often it is on purpose.

At one time philosophy was defined and understood as the love of wisdom. In modern times it has become the pursuit of self justification. Techniques to establish self justification include ad homs and hostility. It truly is hard to find people with a love for wisdom. They are considered un-hip so avoid the hip forums..

[Harbal]

At one time philosophy was defined and understood as the love of wisdom. In modern times it has become the pursuit of self justification. Techniques to establish self justification include ad homs and hostility. It truly is hard to find people with a love for wisdom. They are considered un-hip so avoid the hip forums..

Have you ever considered that the "ad homs and hostility" may be an expression of frustration at coming to a forum, looking for wisdom, and finding none?

[Dalek Prime]

Thankyou, JS. and IC. I hope you realize I was venting my frustrations at some of the content of this forum.

DP, thanks for adding something? to this thread. And MB. I liked the sarcasm, intentional or not.

I thought you could play poker any time of year?

*Buurrrrpppp!* Yeah, no problem, lady!.... I gotta pee....

[Lacewing]

Could someone explain what hostility and abuse have to do with philosophy?

Yes, one would think that people who come to this website are willing to engage in mature and intelligent discussion. Perhaps even be open to new ideas or broader perspectives beyond their own! Instead, we find an all-out slugfest going on, surrounding a soapbox that deluded, manic people keep stepping up on only to get yanked off of and beaten to a pulp. It's kind of like a cosmic comedy.

I wonder if this might be representing (and revealing) a broader condition in our world. So much noise that we can barely maintain clarity -- and so much desperation and exhaustion that it's difficult to have civil conversations nor feel connected with anyone different than ourselves. Everyone has their own opinion, many have agendas, and most people are unwilling to consider or honor anything beyond their own.

Although this website doesn't provide what I'd expected, somehow I've managed to get in the spirit and give myself a good laugh from it... while gaining insights in ways that I wouldn't have guessed. I've considered that it might be giving me a crash-course for dealing with the larger world coming undone. I can see that I don't hesitate near as much in dealing with nonsense in my daily life anymore.