I’ve been reading through some of the threads here on this forum, and am amazed at some of the harshness and irrelevancy I see. I just do not understand why people who love wisdom, and study morality, talk bad to others for some little insubstantial reason. For myself, after studying much philosophy, I have been able to take control of my emotions by reason.
I want to try to figure out why such behaviour occurs. This is what I have reasoned so far: Since we are so far removed from each other by the internet medium, we do not get a sense of the other persons personality and emotion when they expound their words of harshness. Instead, we project our own image of ourselves, and maybe even the bad aspect of ourselves, onto the other individual before unleashing harshness to that person, not because of some irrelevant reply, but because we had that part of ourselves.
You could have got that at play dough 101 - I’d tend to agree with some one above on hume’s line or even Kirkegaarde - I like a bit of emotion in the mix. Meantime all I see here is a bit of robust debate (rare) and a lot of fun…Whats wrong with that.
What philosophers need more then anything is to be allowed shed the beard, the sandals and move back into life.
I have been browsing these Internet forums for several years and have asked myself this question many times.
From what I read most people, who think about such matters, have concluded that the Internet discussion forum is of little value for rational discourse of any substance. The Internet seems to be primarily a good emotional outlet. This is unfortunate and I wish I could do something to change that situation.
Much of the problem, I think, rests on the fact that our natural tendency is to be egocentric thinkers rather than rational thinkers. The forum just exposes this characteristic more so than does face-to-face. However, the Internet allows total anonymity and thereby allows humans to display all the egocentric behaviors that come naturally and is sometimes suppressed in face-to-face.
K…says–“What philosophers need more then anything is to be allowed shed the beard, the sandals and move back into life.”
I think I agree with you. I think philosophy has toyed around in the academic tower for too long. I think it is time that they take an interest in the world even if it means awakening from a “dogmatic slumber”.
You may be correct. I am surprised that anyone would consider such matters as ‘understanding’ as “not what others view as important in the pursuit of knowledge.” I might also include this OP. What do you think discredits this post and my post on understanding?
How would you define what are suitable topics for “rational discourse”?
Humans have expressed their ideas through rational organized argument, emotional argument, comedy, satire, poetry, prose, and hidden subtext in prose.
Reasons have been made clear over time as to why the less direct methods have been used. The philosopher may have difficulty calming themselves, may be shy/repressed, may live under an oppressive government, or may not trust his audience to accept his message directly and this could be due to the author’s, the audience’s, or some combination, of shortcomings.
Portent
Not being open to irrational forms of argument is in fact irrational, thus those that insist on form will become stunted in their growth, but will not know it.
Good point. Philosophy has come a long way from it’s original inception as a love of wisdom. I no longer consider modern “philosophy” as actual philosophy, since it is not a kind of love. Many people these days practice philosophy without meditation, and that is like the following: instead of seeing a beautiful sunset, you spend your time arguing about whose image of the sunset is better.
Please, there still must be some people who practice philosophy. That is why I registered to this forum, but alas, my search is near it’s end since I cannot find one person in these forums that practices philosophy.
I agree , of these types of people there are many , but consider Christs words that only the sick have need of a physician , not the fit . If you are well , should,nt you help the sick ? Remember also that just as some people are ill , some are well .
Real Philosophy should help us beat depression , not throw us into it
Interesting. I’ve actually been thinking about depression for the past few days and what is the nature of it, since I have some friends that seem depressed. What I think depression is is the person is, somehow, too conditioned with too many ideas, usually bad ideas. They are so conditioned with these ideas, that they cannot see the world around them as it is. A nice metaphor: You are looking through a window upon a nice landscape, but when depression sets in the window fogs up and you see the world very differently. If this is true, then we are all depressed to a certain extent. Comments will greatly be appreciated.
I think so , if you think too much about certain things your mind becomes full of those things . I.ve known a few people saying they suffered from
" Depression " as well . I see it largely as selfishness and immaturity in people , its easier for them to blame depression than to accept they themselves are at fault , and expect too much . There was a time when I thought I could help some of them , but further into the quagmire they went
The only way that I think you can help someone out of depression, apart from medication, is to show them their false thoughts. Maybe not even show them, but direct their mind to the awareness of these thoughts. I wonder if meditation would help in depression, any views on this?
I believe meditation is actually the only way , that and physical excercise , a good bit of it . Having a high ideal is the best way out of depression I think . Since if you dont have a high ideal , there is nothing to meditate on . Scientific studies have proven that those with a high ideal are happier people , and live longer , better to follow a philosophy you cant prove but can make you happy than one you can but brings you down . Some might say ignorance is bliss , but knowledge of meditation , medicine , esoteric philosophy and yoga is anything but ignorance . The world will go from strength to strength over the next few hundred years , becoming better all the time
Suppose there is a very depressed person; i.e. has no good ideals at all. If someone tolled him to meditate, and after maybe learning from some book, and he started to meditate, will his condition get worse?
Depressed people are very self-conscious, but meditation brings your awareness to yourself. Would this only make them more self-conscious?
Maybe a meditation on the ego is not the right kind, but some sort of contemplation on good ideals, or external events, would be better.