Man, I wish so badly that I could open my mind to this concept of philosophy as Meg and Elijah have. I wish this essay would have interested me, but over all it did not. I realize that is a huge disappointment to you Megan, and for that I am sorry, but I just hate philosophy. Perhaps that is a bold statement, and maybe not exactly how I want to get my point across but I don't know how else to word how I feel. I love questioning important things on a deeper level, and finding out what I believe for my self, but I do not like questioning such questions as "how do we know a chair is a chair?". In the general education philosophy class we have to take, I was asked that question and at that point I turned my mind off. I don't question the reality of a chair or a table or if the sky is real or if I really make my own decisions or if some one makes them for me. I have faith without a need for "proof" and I believe a chair is a chair because when I sit down, it provides me with all the things I need from a chair, case closed.
I guess I just don't understand why this way of thinking is so bad, or why in the essay he makes his way of thinking superior to mine. I feel like his way of thinking and living life is a waste of time, too much concentration on minor details, I feel as if he misses the whole picture. But that is his choice and there can be value found in that. But from his stand point, there is no value in my way of thinking.
The essay leads me to believe that a philosopher has no conviction for areas of black and white, only gray. How does one live like that? With no firm belief in any thing except that there are no absolute answers? I am not trying to knock philosophy, I realize it is vital to human existence, I just don't get it and I did not like this essay. I don't think my way of thinking is any less or better than his way of thinking, it's just different, but if I were to ask him how he felt toward me, based on the essay, I can bet he would belittle my knowledge and patronize my way of thinking.
But in his mind, there are no absolutes, so how can his way be better than mine?
This may make you guys mad, and that is not my intention, I just don't understand it. Maybe some day a light bulb will go off and I will understand it.
Until then, I will stick with my way of thinking!
Jillian
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Jillian,
You are not alone. I am very black and white. I enjoyed my Philosophy class, but mostly because Ken Schenck taught the class, amd he is a hoot. I was dreading taking the class and reading this essay. I thought of Meg, how she was probably enjoying it, and smiled for her.
Yes, a chair is a chair because it is a chair, and that is enough for me as well.
Sorry about the typo! I tried to go back to fix it, but could not. I really do know how to spell and!
Post a Comment