A bunch of questions to indulge in

Philosophy Forums Philosophy
1

This a an assortment of questions I would be glad to have discussed.There are probably several false dichotomies, questions that can only be answered from certain perspectives, but most of all I want to see indulgence in all kinds of complexities regarding these questions. So, throw as much possible, as good as possible, and the best content possible at it. Now…

  1. What matters more? Coming up with an idea, or doing it better?

  2. Who is more valuable? He who came up with an idea, or he who did it better?

Edit: Somebody pointed out this question’s similarity to the last one. More distinction is indeed needed, which will be added now. In the first question the person coming up with the idea does it due to external influences; it can’t be attributed to his habits, personal strengths or anything thereof. He who perfects it however, does it because of his personal strengths.

In the second question, both persons’ personal strengths had adequate influence on what they ended up doing. For both of the questions it comes down to idea vs action I guess… Maybe its more like thought vs action? Although both are really actions, does that mean it’s just another dualist fallacy?

  1. Assume someone made a mistake, and had adequate time to make a decision. Some ethical systems would look more at the persons internal state, and conclude the mistake was justified because the person just didn’t think any other way. It wasn’t in his character so to say. Would it be possible to build an alternative ethical system which takes theoretical could-haves into account, with the goal of changing a society which is flexible in this area of philosophy, morals, whatever. The goal would be to make people more aware of potential loophooles which can be used to avoid mistakes, and be more far sighted.

  2. Should wisdom be shared or kept to one self if one knows somebody who one thinks might understand such wisdom? Basically, are there any reasons besides concrete practical reasons or irrational (Not necessarily negative) passion that a sage/overman/whatever should help others to become sages?

  3. In general, why would a sage/overman/whatever descend from his peak and enter the hustle and bustle provided by the city? Besides passions for and dreams of power that is…

  4. What determines who wins: Survival of the fittest (More deterministic) or is it Russian roulette (More random)?

  5. Is time the most useful resource in general? If not, does a generally most useful resource exist?

Edit 2: To give an example and a bit more meat: England seemts to have the type of culture that cares more about getting something done fast than it cares about getting something done thouroughly (Unlike Germany for example). Would you say rushing cause more problems which in turn just waste more of others time, or is there a positive overall time gain in general? Maybe the same can be applied to taxes to some extent. Scandinavian countries, due to their large welfare, obviously prevent a lot of inequality-related problems from ever forming. On the other hand I suspect there’s a break even point for welfare to, as overly huge welfare states bring their own problems.

Now, for something a bit more narcicistic.

8 ) Does me asking these questions tell about the limits of my own philosophical ability? Considering I have lurked untill now, does that mean I have a hit a wall?

  1. From the questions I have asked, the ways I have formulated them, how each question (And the other text) exist in relation to everything else, time of posting, the fact that I recently joined, etc what does that reveal about me? What kind of type do I seem like? You may also include what particlarly tipped you off.

  2. Would you have thought differently about me if I hadn’t asked the previous question? Besides, what about this one, did it make a difference?

More information regarding pretty much anything can be provided if you see it fit…

2
  1. What determines who wins: Survival of the fittest (More deterministic) or is it Russian roulette (More random)?

Survival is not a determinant but a result. I suppose you mean fitness itself as the determinant, which makes sense. Chance in the form of Russian roulette could be thought of as a determinant also, and it might not be as random as you might think. I see both factors working in tandem to determine an outcome. The next question that this evokes is that of will, free or otherwise. How does will factor into the deterministic equation?

3

Q1-pt.1 If “more” were most, I’d have an answer.
pt.2 neither.
Q2-pt.1 If “more” were most, I’d have an answer.
pt.2 neither.
Q3 Truth will guide you.
Q4 Currently, truth “seems” impossible to share.
Q5 A “sage…” would build a city, even a world, for everyone to live in.
Q6 Reality as it is seen/understood now may have few winners.
Q7-pt.1 No pt.2 Yes
Q8-pt.1 Your ability “seems” comparable to everyone else’s ability.
pt.2 Everyone I know enjoys the walls, so to speak.
Q9-pt.1 Something.
pt2. You “seem” like everybody else. “You may include also what particularly tipped you off.”
Q10-pt.1 Hmmm.
pt.2 Hmmm.

4

1) What matters more? Coming up with an idea, or doing it better?

Today, I may say, idea… If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

2) Who is more valuable? He who came up with an idea, or he who did it better?

Today, I may say, idea… If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …
[b]

3) Assume someone made a mistake, and had adequate time to make a decision. Some ethical systems would look more at the persons internal state, and conclude the mistake was justified because the person just didn’t think any other way. It wasn’t in his character so to say. Would it be possible to build an alternative ethical system which takes theoretical could-haves into account, with the goal of changing a society which is flexible in this area of philosophy, morals, whatever. The goal would be to make people more aware of potential loophooles which can be used to avoid mistakes, and be more far sighted.

Hahahahahaha…
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

[b]4) Should wisdom be shared or kept to one self if one knows somebody who one thinks might understand such wisdom? Basically, are there any reasons besides concrete practical reasons or irrational (Not necessarily negative) passion that a sage/overman/whatever should help others to become sages?

Wisdom is something that cannot be exhausted… Discernment is a natural state in the person of the sage-state-of-mind…
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

5) In general, why would a sage/overman/whatever descend from his peak and enter the hustle and bustle provided by the city? Besides passions for and dreams of power that is…

Wisdom is something that cannot be exhausted… Discernment is a natural state in the person of the sage-state-of-mind…
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …


6) What determines who wins: Survival of the fittest (More deterministic) or is it Russian roulette (More random)?

Hahahahahaha…
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …


7) Is time the most useful resource in general? If not, does a generally most useful resource exist?

humour … Hahahahahaha…
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

8 ) Does me asking these questions tell about the limits of my own philosophical ability? Considering I have lurked untill now, does that mean I have a hit a wall?

These questions are the mark of the thinker, rebel, non-conformist… It is a good start …
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

[b]

  1. From the questions I have asked, the ways I have formulated them, how each question (And the other text) exist in relation to everything else, time of posting, the fact that I recently joined, etc what does that reveal about me? What kind of type do I seem like? You may also include what particlarly tipped you off.[/b]

    These questions are the mark of the thinker, rebel, non-conformist… It is a good start …
    If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
    This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

10) Would you have thought differently about me if I hadn’t asked the previous question? Besides, what about this one, did it make a difference?

hahahahahaha
These questions are the mark of the thinker, rebel, non-conformist… It is a good start …
If I should reply to this same question later on, then because I will not be the same person with the same thoughts, then I may have another view-point…
This is a question that invites many answers, many viewpoints, and each, will be quite correct …

5

In a deterministic world, is there such a thing as free will? Once you have decided the determinant or determinants of all actions, whatever that might be, then the question of will arises. Is every action, every event, every decision a matter of will? If not, fine; you’re done. If so, then there is even a next question: can will ever be free?

6

Let’s say two people played a game of chess. Here’s where the Russian roulette vs survival of the fittest comes in. They are both of very similar skill levels. What do you think is more likely to influence the outcome, slight differences in skill, or external factors such as slight differences in the numbers of minutes of sleep they both got, what they ate beforehand, the fact that certain sequences of moves is more likely to psyche out the one meeting that sequence, etc.

Also, lets think of the same situation, same question, only with a more technical, fast paced game like ping pong.

7

Answer of the week!

The originator is more important, because following-up is relatively straightforward. Remember the old quote (from Schopenhauer, I believe): talent hits a target other people can’t reach, genius hits a target other people can’t see. Originators/geniuses are more valuable than talented types.

The answer that pops into my head is energy (i.e. fuel).

You’re the latest example of a thinking person. It’s a good thing to be, but there are many such people, so it’s nothing to feel too chuffed about.

Lo and behold, a meta-question! I recommend the book “Gödel, Escher, Bach” :slight_smile: