Some philosophy stuff...

[Xyston]

I found this in a text book. Apparently some dude wrote it a long time ago. I don't get much so it's probably deep.

"Once there was two men who were good friends and enjoyed each other's company. They would often meet and discuss personal matters, worldly issues or just what was on their mind. This was something they both found joy in. One day they met, like many times before, to discuss philosphical matters.

What can you tell me about man's awareness of the reality that sorrounds him?

There is no part of reality of which man is not aware.

How is man aware of this reality?

There are two kinds of awareness. We call them Knowledge and Belief.

How do they differ?

Knowledge is what you know. Belief is what you don't know.

I understand the difference between Knowledge and Belief. Can you tell which one is more important?

Everything that has meaning is important.

Then how do I know what is meaningfull?

That you cannot know. You can only believe.

But how do I know that what I believe is right?

Everything you believe is right, and therefore has meaning.

I understand what you mean, but I wonder, how do I know that everything I believe is right?

Your question shows that you still have not understood. May I explain it to you through a question?

You may.

How would you define meaning?

I would say it is an idea.

Precisely. It's an idea, a belief. And since meaning is itself a belief, everything you believe can be meaningfull.

Then would you say Belief is more important then Knowledge?

Knowledge is not important.

Why not?

Because it requires facts. Facts require arguments, and arguments in turn require more arguments. Therefore, Knowledge is not important, and not meaningfull.

Then what's the point in debating philosophy?

There is no point.

After this, the two men parted and went home to their families. They met again the next day.

What can you tell about the nature of men?

This question is not difficult, yet there are many answers. Some say every human being has a soul. Some say the soul is born when the body is born and dies when the body dies. Some say it does not.

You say there are many answers to this question. May I ask what your answer is?

You may. I say there is but one soul. This soul lives only in the present, never in the future and never in the past. Therefore it is not born, and is does not die. It belongs to no one, and therefore it is for everyone to share.

What made you choose this answer?

It is based on love, and nothing else.

After this, the two men parted and went home to their families. They met again the next day.

Today I want to talk about a man's feelings.

That's a good subject to talk about! There are two kinds of feelings. Love and hate.

What can you tell me about their nature?

Love want was is good. Hate wants what is bad. Now, if a man is filled with love, he will love. If he is filled with hate, he will hate. Love will embrace everything, even hate. Hate will reject everything, even love. Therefore, when two men love each other, it is not because they are different, but because they are the same. Likewise, when two men hate each other, it is not because they are different, but because they are the same.

Is there a limit to these feelings?

Feelings have no limit, for they come from Belief, and not from Knowledge. If you love someone, you love everyone, including yourself. If you hate someone, you hate everyone, including yourself. Therefore, one must always do good things.

What if one cannot do good things?

Then one must do nothing.

Can you tell me how these feelings act in society?

I can.

What role does love have?

In human relationships, love comes from nothing.

What role does hate have?

Hate comes from pride and prejudices. Pride and prejudices come from culture and identity. Culture and identity come from categorisation. Therefore, one who categorise will eventually hate.

So what can you tell me about the society of today?

In society of today, people are occupied with categorising. They value Knowledge instead of Belief. This is the root of problems.

How can these problems be solved?

One must value Belief over Knowledge.

After this, the two men parted. Both of them were wiser then before."

[Chaigidel]

it is interesting -- but life cannot be simplified in such absolutes imo

this is the primary problem with all faith all religion and all philosophy, life is simply more complex than we can frame so we frame it in broad generalizations and attachments to ourselves like focusing on the power of love. hate, meaning, and significance


there are many more kinds of awareness than knowledge and belief there are more kinds than can be counted (the 10000 gods of voodoo) :O

many more kinds of things to feel than love and hate--

- good post and interesting exchange in your post

[enoch]

I found this in a text book. Apparently some dude wrote it a long time ago. I don't get much so it's probably deep.

"Once there was two men who were good friends and enjoyed each other's company. They would often meet and discuss personal matters, worldly issues or just what was on their mind. This was something they both found joy in. One day they met, like many times before, to discuss philosphical matters.

What can you tell me about man's awareness of the reality that sorrounds him?

There is no part of reality of which man is not aware.

How is man aware of this reality?

There are two kinds of awareness. We call them Knowledge and Belief.

How do they differ?

Knowledge is what you know. Belief is what you don't know.

I understand the difference between Knowledge and Belief. Can you tell which one is more important?

Everything that has meaning is important.

Then how do I know what is meaningfull?

That you cannot know. You can only believe.

But how do I know that what I believe is right?

Everything you believe is right, and therefore has meaning.

I understand what you mean, but I wonder, how do I know that everything I believe is right?

Your question shows that you still have not understood. May I explain it to you through a question?

You may.

How would you define meaning?

I would say it is an idea.

Precisely. It's an idea, a belief. And since meaning is itself a belief, everything you believe can be meaningfull.

Then would you say Belief is more important then Knowledge?

Knowledge is not important.

Why not?

Because it requires facts. Facts require arguments, and arguments in turn require more arguments. Therefore, Knowledge is not important, and not meaningfull.

Then what's the point in debating philosophy?

There is no point.

After this, the two men parted and went home to their families. They met again the next day.

What can you tell about the nature of men?

This question is not difficult, yet there are many answers. Some say every human being has a soul. Some say the soul is born when the body is born and dies when the body dies. Some say it does not.

You say there are many answers to this question. May I ask what your answer is?

You may. I say there is but one soul. This soul lives only in the present, never in the future and never in the past. Therefore it is not born, and is does not die. It belongs to no one, and therefore it is for everyone to share.

What made you choose this answer?

It is based on love, and nothing else.

After this, the two men parted and went home to their families. They met again the next day.

Today I want to talk about a man's feelings.

That's a good subject to talk about! There are two kinds of feelings. Love and hate.

What can you tell me about their nature?

Love want was is good. Hate wants what is bad. Now, if a man is filled with love, he will love. If he is filled with hate, he will hate. Love will embrace everything, even hate. Hate will reject everything, even love. Therefore, when two men love each other, it is not because they are different, but because they are the same. Likewise, when two men hate each other, it is not because they are different, but because they are the same.

Is there a limit to these feelings?

Feelings have no limit, for they come from Belief, and not from Knowledge. If you love someone, you love everyone, including yourself. If you hate someone, you hate everyone, including yourself. Therefore, one must always do good things.

What if one cannot do good things?

Then one must do nothing.

Can you tell me how these feelings act in society?

I can.

What role does love have?

In human relationships, love comes from nothing.

What role does hate have?

Hate comes from pride and prejudices. Pride and prejudices come from culture and identity. Culture and identity come from categorisation. Therefore, one who categorise will eventually hate.

So what can you tell me about the society of today?

In society of today, people are occupied with categorising. They value Knowledge instead of Belief. This is the root of problems.

How can these problems be solved?

One must value Belief over Knowledge.

After this, the two men parted. Both of them were wiser then before."

What is the name of this book, it would be the perfect birthday gift for my 12 year old cousin? (honest question do not take negatively)

[verity_blues]

@ enoch

try this:

@Xyston

--message here--

instead of quoting a really long message like that.

This is not a critisim, just a little forum etiquette.

[Thanatos]

@Xyston,

Go and read some Kant or Schopenhauer, if you really want some true philosophy on these issues. These men spend their entire lives working on such questions.