Philosophy Now Forum

Tell us what you believe, succinctly. What the most important essence of your philosophy is, that the rest pales in comparison to. What matters the most to you.

Stay on topic, and no insults, or I will have it deleted.

Dalek Prime wrote:Tell us what you believe, succinctly. What the most important essence of your philosophy is, that the rest pales in comparison to. What matters the most to you.

Unity in diversity.

The Inglorious One wrote:

Dalek Prime wrote:Tell us what you believe, succinctly. What the most important essence of your philosophy is, that the rest pales in comparison to. What matters the most to you.

Unity in diversity.

For all lifeforms, or just our species? Would you expand a bit more, and tell us how this is central to your philosophy?

Dalek Prime wrote:

The Inglorious One wrote:

Dalek Prime wrote:Tell us what you believe, succinctly. What the most important essence of your philosophy is, that the rest pales in comparison to. What matters the most to you.

Unity in diversity.

For all lifeforms, or just our species?

For ALL things and beings.

So universal unity of lifeforms and the inanimate? That's reasonable.

Thanks Inglorious. I just thought it would be nice to have a thread that everyone could feel free to sum their core beliefs in.

Cheers.

I'm pretty sure you can find a lot of atheists, theists, materialists, idealists and just about every other "ist" you can think of that would agree with what I said. The devil, as they say, is in the details.

Well, it's general enough to be acceptable to most, with, as you say, the details to be ironed out.

Self-rely as is possible.

Cooperate without accomodating.

See the world as it is and respond accordingly.

Tend to your garden and leave the other to tend to his.

Ask for help, as needed (not wanted), but never expect help.

Say 'no' and take 'no' for an answer.

Self-preserve, self-defend. Place no trust in any one saying they'll do those things for you.

You are your first, best, property. Don't take youself for granted.

You are finite: discharge yourself wisely.

The real estate between your ears is precious: be mindful of what others try to plant there.

The world is amoral and doesn't give a rat's ass about you. Looking to 'it' for direction is futile. Navigate 'it' and direct yourself.

If you choose to be directed, don't be surprised if you end up on a hook in the slaughterhouse.

Love freely, but wisely.

Where there is no profit to be had, conserve yourself. Rainbows are for lookin' at, not chasing.

Coffee is your friend.

Your body is built for action: walk, run, lift, push, pull, swim, think.

Kvetching is for pussies: solve your problems as you can; live with them as you must.

There are few truly evil people in the world, but they are here, so: watch your backside.

Where there's thunder, there's lightning. Lightning kills. Get in-doors.

Don't play with matches.

Don't run with pointy objects.

Wear your rubbers (multiple meanings here).

Forgive where there's remorse, when it's of benefit, but never forget.

Your history informs your today, so make use of it: learn from it.

It's never advisable to dance, but if you must, dance hard, fast, and free.

As you can, when you can: go into the woods, alone, for 24 hours, with nuthin' but the clothes on your back, and mebbe a compass. Such a thing will remind of you of your fragility, and of your capability.

Mind your own business, keep your hands to yourself.

Be kind, where possible. There's never cause for cruelty. If you gotta shoot the other in the head, then do it and be done with it. Drawing things out, finding pleasure in the other's suffering, erodes you. Don't kick the rabid dog, just end it.

Speak plainly.

Know when to stop.

I would really like if someone with opposing perspectives would challenge some of these core beliefs. That's why I'm throwing them out here. Here they come:

* Beauty is not important.

* The most valuable, meaningful, and interesting way to spend time is to work on something that has potential to bring as much value to the greatest number of people as possible.

* Rationality is more important than desire. Rationality can become desire.

* The most important things for happiness are things that are required for survival. The second most important things for happiness are work, rest, nutrition, physical activity, examined life and good thinking ability, and important relationships. Sex and entertainment are third.

* Happiness is not a short-term emotional state but a long-term summary of short-term emotional states.

* Someone with 9 Porches would be happier if he sold 8 Porches and donated that money to a good cause.

the best corps philosophy is semper fi...

-Imp

Risto, I'll give it a go...


* Beauty is not important.

If you mean symmetry of feature and proportion, overall appearance of health, etc. then -- yeah -- beauty is important. Any marker of fitness is important, at least in the context of makin' babies.


* The most valuable, meaningful, and interesting way to spend time is to work on something that has potential to bring as much value to the greatest number of people as possible.

Ideally, yes. Realistically, nope.


* Rationality is more important than desire. Rationality can become desire.

Rationality is the bailiwick of computers and sociopaths. Human folk (can) reason and reason is always spiced with wants, needs, desires, prejudices, etc. Beware the 'rational agent' cuz he's probably (in a very real way) 'alien'.


* The most important things for happiness are things that are required for survival. The second most important things for happiness are work, rest, nutrition, physical activity, examined life and good thinking ability, and important relationships. Sex and entertainment are third.

Define 'happiness'.


* Happiness is not a short-term emotional state but a long-term summary of short-term emotional states.

The 'happy' median.


* Someone with 9 Porches would be happier if he sold 8 Porches and donated that money to a good cause.

Probably...good luck gettin' him to do such a thing.

henry quirk wrote:Risto, I'll give it a go...

Thanks!

henry quirk wrote:If you mean symmetry of feature and proportion, overall appearance of health, etc. then -- yeah -- beauty is important. Any marker of fitness is important, at least in the context of makin' babies.

By beauty I mean appearance, so symmetry of feature and proportion would go there. Appearance of health would go in the category of health for me, which I do consider very important. So health care, nutrition, and physical activity are very important for health and they can obviously also have an effect on beauty (skin quality, youth, etc.), but the goal itself should not be beauty because it's not important.

Let's consider finding a long-term life partner, for example. The first aspect that people look for is appearance unfortunately, but I think this is irrational since it isn't important long-term. After the period of lust is over, people start bringing up truly important things such as intelligence, cooperation, independence, or whatever else they value. Appearance doesn't help at all anymore. Even a 10/10 person can lose several points in the appearance scale.

henry quirk wrote:Rationality is the bailiwick of computers and sociopaths. Human folk (can) reason and reason is always spiced with wants, needs, desires, prejudices, etc. Beware the 'rational agent' cuz he's probably (in a very real way) 'alien'.

In most cases I see a benefit in being aware of the desire, but setting it aside to analyze the situation rationally. For example, someone might have a desire to rape a very attractive woman walking on the street. He doesnt act on that desire, but instead thinks about it and realizes it's not a good thing to do.

henry quirk wrote:Define 'happiness'.

I use this definition: "Long-term summary of mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy."

henry quirk wrote:Probably...good luck gettin' him to do such a thing.

That is a very good challenge indeed.

"someone might have a desire to rape a very attractive woman walking on the street. He doesnt act on that desire, but instead thinks about it and realizes it's not a good thing to do."

I'd say that thinking is 'reasoning', considering the pros and cons of the act, a process heavily flavored by emotion ('if I'm caught, I'm goin' to prison, gonna get ass-raped, nope, not gonna rape her'). This fellow's conclusion (to not rape) is about his fear of being raped himself.

Reason(ing) then is the consideration, the weighing, the contrasting, the comparing, the concluding, and always this process is an admixture of 'thinking' and 'feeling'.

#

"but the goal itself should not be beauty because it's not important."

Yes, beauty is a collection of markers, of indicators, by which fitness can be sometimes generally measured, but beauty is only a maker of a broad aspect and sez almost nuthin' about the breadth and depth of an individual. Too few get this.