A subject I feel that is somewhat overlooked in this forum. I'd like to propose/invite a discussion on the subject. It is something I like to pursue in my spare time, I find it intriguing, deep, and thoughtful. It is useful for me to be able to apply philosophy to/in everyday tasks, problems, situations etc.
I am personally drawn to the thinkings of Socrates, Mencius, Confucious, Lao Tzu, Buddha, Bodhidharma, mainly - among others. Anything that is to do with Metaphysics and Epistemology, closely followed by Ethics and Esthetics. Other 'political' philosophies interest me also, from some common well known 'thinkers'.
Barring such subjects like Science, Maths; things that are based on certain conclusive systems. A lot of what philosophy deals with, looks at answers to questions which have no scientific or mathematical evidence. Certain premisses cannot be supported by such a subject because they are not inherently rooted in them. Philosophy is not really a practical subject, unless you consider pragmatism.
Philosophy seems to be such an isolated subject in it being that it is to do with thought, which in itself is an isolated process. Philosophy in discussion takes on the attributes of debate and arguments, which causes conflict rather than conclusions.
I have had in depth conversations with other people on the grounds of philosophy. Looking back, there was arguments on both sides, but we seemed only to point out the weakness in each others arguments based on our own knowledge. It seemed at the time that we was arguing for the sake of arguing, but wasn't. These kind of discussions enforced my own perspectives on where I was right, and corrected me where I may falter in future.
I think it is good to question what you know, what you think you know, and to question your own beliefs. Or even just to take time to reflect upon them. Other peoples attitudes may differ, through things such as tradition and conditioning. But I don't see anything that opposes philosophy as contributing to the faculty of having an open mind. A mind that can function freely.
I am personally drawn to the thinkings of Socrates, Mencius, Confucious, Lao Tzu, Buddha, Bodhidharma, mainly - among others. Anything that is to do with Metaphysics and Epistemology, closely followed by Ethics and Esthetics. Other 'political' philosophies interest me also, from some common well known 'thinkers'.
Barring such subjects like Science, Maths; things that are based on certain conclusive systems. A lot of what philosophy deals with, looks at answers to questions which have no scientific or mathematical evidence. Certain premisses cannot be supported by such a subject because they are not inherently rooted in them. Philosophy is not really a practical subject, unless you consider pragmatism.
Philosophy seems to be such an isolated subject in it being that it is to do with thought, which in itself is an isolated process. Philosophy in discussion takes on the attributes of debate and arguments, which causes conflict rather than conclusions.
I have had in depth conversations with other people on the grounds of philosophy. Looking back, there was arguments on both sides, but we seemed only to point out the weakness in each others arguments based on our own knowledge. It seemed at the time that we was arguing for the sake of arguing, but wasn't. These kind of discussions enforced my own perspectives on where I was right, and corrected me where I may falter in future.
I think it is good to question what you know, what you think you know, and to question your own beliefs. Or even just to take time to reflect upon them. Other peoples attitudes may differ, through things such as tradition and conditioning. But I don't see anything that opposes philosophy as contributing to the faculty of having an open mind. A mind that can function freely.
