Philosophy Now Forum

Walker wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 5:36 pm

Maia wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 9:08 am

Walker wrote: ↑Fri May 30, 2025 3:11 pm 1 old blind man vs 20 young blind men. What could possibly go right?

More hands on the elephant to arrive at a consensus of reality, if they all tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

That story about the blind men and the elephant, while it's clear, of course, what it's trying to say, is actually complete rubbish, and whoever thought it up really should have considered consulting some actual blind people before trumpeting such tosh, or packing his trunk and saying goodbye to the circus of common sense. The elephant in the room is that it's completely obvious when you're standing next to some huge, great stonking animal, such as, for example, an elephant, and you wouldn't have to even touch it to know this.

When you stand next to the big stinker you only know that side of the elephant.

The person on the other side only knows that side. The twos of yous can communicate what you experience within your reach, and so it goes with the person on the other side, but you need to trust that the one on the other side is objective and truthful in their reporting, and not just using their time to bitch about your description from your side of the great beast.

accelafine wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:36 pm

Walker wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 5:36 pm

Maia wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 9:08 am

That story about the blind men and the elephant, while it's clear, of course, what it's trying to say, is actually complete rubbish, and whoever thought it up really should have considered consulting some actual blind people before trumpeting such tosh, or packing his trunk and saying goodbye to the circus of common sense. The elephant in the room is that it's completely obvious when you're standing next to some huge, great stonking animal, such as, for example, an elephant, and you wouldn't have to even touch it to know this.

When you stand next to the big stinker you only know that side of the elephant.

The person on the other side only knows that side. The twos of yous can communicate what you experience within your reach, and so it goes with the person on the other side, but you need to trust that the one on the other side is objective and truthful in their reporting, and not just using their time to bitch about your description from your side of the great beast.

What rubbish. You might as well say that when you look at an elephant you only see part of it so you need someone on the other side of it to let you know that it's all there

Walker wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:52 pm

accelafine wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:36 pm

Walker wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 5:36 pm
When you stand next to the big stinker you only know that side of the elephant.

The person on the other side only knows that side. The twos of yous can communicate what you experience within your reach, and so it goes with the person on the other side, but you need to trust that the one on the other side is objective and truthful in their reporting, and not just using their time to bitch about your description from your side of the great beast.

What rubbish. You might as well say that when you look at an elephant you only see part of it so you need someone on the other side of it to let you know that it's all there

Perceive would be more accurate. These men are blind.

The other side of the elephant just might smell like roses all day long but the stinky side guy would only know that as hearsay, and it sounds sketchy as in beyond what he can imagine, given what he's been through. (He drew the short straw and was stationed at the out-put portal.

accelafine wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 11:13 pm
What men?

ps. Elephants have a nice smell.

Maia wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 11:49 pm Not sure where the stinky thing came from, as I wrote stonking. I've never, incidentally, smelt an elephant, nor been up close to one, but I feel confident that I would easily recognise one for what it was.

Walker wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 12:11 am

Maia wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 11:49 pm Not sure where the stinky thing came from, as I wrote stonking. I've never, incidentally, smelt an elephant, nor been up close to one, but I feel confident that I would easily recognise one for what it was.

Well, a stonking elephant, even it it didn't smell fresh or foul, would be too big to comfortably fit into most rooms, and certainly not on the furniture. There are reports that they walk on tiptoes, as do ballerinas only quieter.

accelafine wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:10 am Indeed. Four legged mammals don't really have four legs, they have two legs and two arms. They just sensibly kept them all on the ground instead of deciding to go into a ridiculous and dangerous upright position

Maia wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 9:20 am

accelafine wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:10 am Indeed. Four legged mammals don't really have four legs, they have two legs and two arms. They just sensibly kept them all on the ground instead of deciding to go into a ridiculous and dangerous upright position

I always thought it was interesting how cats, dogs, and presumably a great many other animals are effectively, with their back legs, walking on tiptoes, with their feet elongated and their ankles forming a joint half way up. I wonder if it feels like that, to them?

accelafine wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 9:58 am

Maia wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 9:20 am

accelafine wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:10 am Indeed. Four legged mammals don't really have four legs, they have two legs and two arms. They just sensibly kept them all on the ground instead of deciding to go into a ridiculous and dangerous upright position

I always thought it was interesting how cats, dogs, and presumably a great many other animals are effectively, with their back legs, walking on tiptoes, with their feet elongated and their ankles forming a joint half way up. I wonder if it feels like that, to them?

But that's thinking about it from our perspective. We are the odd ones out, although some chimps and gorillas like walking upright.
Falling over is a terrifying thing for humans and something that all elderly people fear. I doubt if cats and dogs worry about it.

Fairy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 6:44 am https://youtu.be/H16GBjvB3D4?si=2dIoGFsPmP8mhr6K

More on the God debate…now with Alex O’Connor on board.

Jordan Peterson seems quite irked. Funny stuff.

accelafine wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 6:55 am

Fairy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 08, 2025 6:44 am https://youtu.be/H16GBjvB3D4?si=2dIoGFsPmP8mhr6K

More on the God debate…now with Alex O’Connor on board.

Jordan Peterson seems quite irked. Funny stuff.

How bizarre. I was literally just watching that.

accelafine wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 11:13 pm

Walker wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:52 pm

accelafine wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:36 pm

What rubbish. You might as well say that when you look at an elephant you only see part of it so you need someone on the other side of it to let you know that it's all there

Perceive would be more accurate. These men are blind.

The other side of the elephant just might smell like roses all day long but the stinky side guy would only know that as hearsay, and it sounds sketchy as in beyond what he can imagine, given what he's been through. (He drew the short straw and was stationed at the out-put portal.

What men?

ps. Elephants have a nice smell.