@William,
William;32712 wrote:It was my hope when I began my "adventure" into philosophy via these forums, to find like minds who think as critically as I. As much as I would like to say this adventure was a rewarding one, I can't. Not being a learned scholar myself, I was not sure exactly what I was looking for. Little did I know the vast gap that exists between "everyday Joe's" like myself and those gifted people with a "thirst for knowledge" and their ability to "learn". I just assumed "critical thinking" would be a natural occurrence emanating from these minds. I was wrong. Being an unlearned neophyte, academically speaking, I was again assuming philosophy would be "word's of the wise". Again I was wrong. Wisdom has nothing to do with philosophy. So you see it has been an eye opening experience in that I have come to understand philosophy is nothing more than one's expertise at identifying the problems with little effort toward's the solutions to those problems.
Hi William...I think that everybody is an 'average Joe' underneath it all, even those driving around in their BMW and wearing $1000 suits; even those who stumble upon great wisdom, and who might appear to others as being a little bit "slow" in the head. Like I said, everybody is the same deep down, and you seem to agree here. Sometimes academics can really inspire critical thinking, and sometimes it is natural. Sometimes people will never get it, not because they aren't capable, but because their lower faculties have convinced them that nothing good can come from it. I have encountered varying degrees of wisdom in all people-- many times it is the "common folk" who truly can think more critically because, by virtue of taking the simpler path in life, he is less distracted by the "shadows on the wall", and can focus more of his energy on the "source".
Quote:IMHO, there is a big difference in seeking answers and implementing solutions. Acquiescing in one's ability to rationalize "reason" for the sad state of affairs we find ourselves in accomplishes nothing, which brings me to the question I would like to ask you. How do we go from understanding to solving? So many of these "beautiful minds", as you have said, have been programmed to learn so they can survive in the status quo we have created as they so easily "learn" what they "spoon fed". So many, as is evident even on these forums, are at odd's with all they have learned as it truly "make's no sense" as it applies to the everyday effort of living. Forgive me, but "..do we exist"? My God, what kind of a question is that? Not meaning to disparage philosophy, but let's face it, it has been around for a "few" years and as hard as I try, I can't see what good it had done except to proclaim "God is Dead" and "I think, therefore I am". God pity the poor soul that thinks he's a vampire. Ha.
It is hard to find some ultimate "solution" to problems that are encountered in this world, and people have been writing of this for as long as they could write. So far, nothing has changed. People still commit senseless crimes, and they are still driven by the desire to satisfy their own interests at the expense of others. The reason it seems like it is getting worse is not that people are becoming worse themselves-- but technology and the global economy allow for more and more resources and energy to be used towards pursuing violent and self-serving ends. The most evil early human dictator in the world 100,000 years ago might have been able to wipe out a small village in Africa and collect a few cool artifacts and good meals for himself in pursuing his devious ways. Now we have leaders who could use nuclear technology to destroy all life as we know it with a simple command, and we have hundreds of millions of children working in large factories around the world, churning out cheap crap for the wealthy to buy. We have rich people flying around in their own jets and frivolously spending tens of thousands of dollars a day on junk-- money which translates into tens of thousands of labor hours for somebody else around the world to produce that junk.
Yes, I have been avoiding your question! This is because I don't have the answer, and I don't think anyone else does. But you made a distinction between "understanding" and "solving", and perhaps you might have leapt before looking here. I think that "understanding" really is "solving". Someone who truly does "understand" (Plato called it "the good", hindus call it "dharma"), will inevitably be freed from their lower desires for self-interest (as free as you can get while maintaining a happy existence), and will use the power of reason to go about his life. He will not engage in grouping people, and thus will not judge, or decide that it is acceptable for him to take advantage of others to further his own interests. He will "treat others as he would like to be treated", and the goodness and virtue of his actions will inspire others to the path of "understanding". This power of "understanding" can spread, just like the power of selfishness, and its influence can in fact be the solution, as far as I see it. I don't know when or if this will ever happen, but I do think that "understanding" truly is, and will be, "the solution". Any other solution without first having the understanding would have to be forced upon people, and that would go against what we would want to achieve. Thus, understanding is, at the very least, prerequisite for the solution.
Quote:Perhaps my understanding and critical thinking is novel in the philosophical realm and I can only hope to inspire these so gifted minds to seek alternatives to the way the "status quo" functions that would eliminate the inequity that exists in the world. To devise a compensation and rewards program that is not based on rarity that would allow all people to enjoy life based on their knowledge of it eliminating lack. I think we will come to find how little mankind needs to be truly happy once we begin to place value on the human being rather than those rare materialistic baubles that we stupidly use to govern the worth of an individual.
Yes. With understanding, people will no longer value the material that they now so vehemently seek. To devise an economic system that would support this understanding is probably beyond my ability (or it would take a long time for me to attempt to reason something like this out), but first we must reach understanding. This is, as I said above, first possible by the effects of those people of understanding spreading the joy and truth that is "loving your neighbor" to others. Formal education, I still think, can also help. This would be best if it mainly focuses on:
a) Making it a goal to have students think critically and rationally; to use reason and logic to consider the merit of ideas and actions. To distinguish truth from opinion.
b) Communication. What good is thinking beautifully if you cannot communicate this with others? Speech, writing, and all of the arts in general are all forms of communication, which should be taught and encouraged.
Quote:How nice it would be for the gifted among us to establish a forum worldwide to focus on what needs to be done to ensure the least amount of sacrifice as we learn what it truly valuable and that is life itself and the freedom to live it unfettered by the dictates of others. We are so very adept at identifying the problems, but are at a loss as to implementing solutions to those problems unless we are force to and that is usually due to a catastrophic event the forces us to think as one. How so very sad, for I feel the next event, we may not overcome.
William, I think that you are one of the "gifted among us", in that your thinking is of the divine way; you, and others like you, genuinely would like others to share in your knowledge of the truth in unity which exists. This can bring joy if others realize the message, or pain if it is rejected. Here is one reason it seems that we build up the ego with material goods and desires-- it is to protect the true divine self which cannot happily exist in a world where it is rejected and beaten down. We then try to forget it exists, and we rely upon the ego to tell us that we are better than others. This is safe. It is difficult and dangerous to be genuine; sometimes it may be accepted by those with understanding, or inspire understanding in others. Other times, it leaves you vulnerable and open to attack. The "gifted" I think is more like a state of being to describe those who realize the supremacy of an "examined life" where "the good" is sought first of all. But everyone has the capacity to reach this "gifted" state.
I agree that a catastrophic event may be the trigger that could bring about this change. The material illusion now is so real that it will never go away, and will probably continue its exponential growth and hunger until it is knocked off course by some type of divine intervention. People have been coming up with doomsday scenarios for years, where those remaining would reassess their values and create peace and prosperity for the future of humanity. This doesn't sound realistic or likely to happen, but you never know.
If you could think of some person who is individually on the "bad path" of hurting others and only serving his lower desires, then think of what would be necessary for him to change. A big slap in the face, and a brush with death and simultaneous forced examination of his life "flashing before his eyes", might show him the errors of his ways. Now extrapolate this to the global level...what slap in the face, brush with death, and forced examination of our society would need to take place?
As to people solving the problems, I think there are those out there who are working on it. Of course everyone loves to bash religion on this forum, but whether or not you agree with the doctrine being preached in a church, you have to admit that churches (or their members) mostly perform great positive and charitable works in society. Many non-profit organizations are good, but many are scams. Many people make the world a better place simply by giving someone a ride, helping to move furniture, comforting a friend, or with one of many other kind acts which are performed every day around us that go by unnoticed. These things are never sensationalized in the media, because the "bad stuff" is what interests the media of entertainment that is against truth. So if you watch the news every day and never really get out into the world, you might begin to think that the world is really much worse than it is.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace