Definition of Philosophy

Philosophy Humour: Argument with Socrates

by

socratesHumour. Humour is very important and the philosophy of humour is a very interesting topic but today’s post isn’t about that, instead here’s a link to a site that will allow you to indulge yourself with a philosophical argument with none other than the great Socrates. Yep. You’ve got that right. If you wish to match your wits against Socrates then head on to The Socrates Argument Clinic.

A friendly reminder: If you don’t win the argument you’ll need to drink the hemlock but if you win Socrates will drink it for you. Of course it is really difficult to win against Socrates but there are some who have won.

If you wish to take more than the free argument clinic though you’ll be disappointed since the link to the InterQuest homepage no longer works.

Have a good time arguing with Socrates!

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge. – Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Originally posted on August 12, 2011 @ 7:52 pm

Materialism Stems from Upbringing

by

Recall the all-time hit song of Madonna, “Material Girl” and you may find the lyrics properly depicting what materialism is really all about. While the song points more towards females, there are men who have their share of being materialistic as well.

Why do people become materialistic? A lot of it stems from how they were brought up and of course being exposed to various lifestyles and needs to which jealousy is included in the mix of being lured into materialistic issues.

Indeed we cannot tell anyone not to be drawn to materialism. Anyone is susceptible towards it. Noteworthy are the hard times and of course the lack of satisfaction as far as personal wants is concerned and perhaps you may understand why their differing beliefs have classified them as being too materialistic rather than being good overall individuals.

There is not theoretic claim that materialism is something can be avoided. Even the external factors like social and cultural issues do not have an actual point in it all although they are sure to have contributed towards its evolution in people.

But what really catches the ire of many is the fact that materialism can sometime become overly pitiful. Some people fail to realize how it can affect them as a person and in fact deprives them from fending off materialism as well.

What really makes it entirely pathetic is people losing their personal values in lieu of materialistic desires. Some have gone past it while others have not. Whatever it cases, I am sure no one wants to be branded a materialistic person.

Originally posted on June 14, 2011 @ 12:02 am

The Philosophy Of Work In Americana

by

Businessman on a Cell Phone

I have never really thought of work in a strictly philosophical light. Neither have I associated the philosophy of work with being an American. I suppose I am no different from my neighbor or my colleague. I go to work because it is part of life. It is necessary. Without working, I would not be able to live the life that I have now.

Yet those thoughts in themselves are already the start of some philosophical analysis. Why do Americans work? Why is work so much part of our lives? These things – and more – were brought to my attention when I ran across Jason J. Campbell’s article titled Americana and the Philosophy of Work. In it, he highlights how the “American culture is intrinsically tied to labor.” He states:

We are a culture of laborers and Americana habituates its citizens to the necessity of work. We are a culture of workers and therefore any attempt to understand Americana must be met by an equal attempt to understand how Americans work.

Generally stated, a philosophy of work is an attempt to locate the essential conditions wherein work is meaningful. In discussing how a culture goes to work and how their effort to work is meaningful, one must take note of the concept.

In discussing Americana, the vast majority of the population has to work because of an acute sense of economic necessity, that is, they work because they have to. Generally speaking, only the very wealthy or those who have retired have the “luxury” of working for its sheer satisfaction.

True enough. I myself believe that I am part of the former group described in the preceding paragraph. Why do you work?

Originally posted on August 29, 2011 @ 9:18 am

The Book Of Dead Philosophers

by

41-j4cavydl_bo2204203200_pisitb-sticker-arrow-clicktopright35-76_aa240_sh20_ou01_Lately I have been finding some free time on my hands. This generally means one thing for me – I have time to read. I used to take my reading time for granted but not anymore. It is rare that I actually can sit back and relax with nothing but a good book. And speaking of good books, have you heard of The Book of Dead Philosophers?

At first glance, it may not sound like an exciting read but hey, look at that title again and you will certainly feel something like a thrill. The Book of Dead Philosophers. How much more interesting can that be?

I have not had the chance to get my hands on this book but trust me, Amazon is my next stop after this post. After reading Laura Miller’s take on the book there is no other option. She shares some of the ideas to be found in the book:

According to Critchley, only the right kind of philosophy can teach “a readiness for death without which any conception of contentment, let alone happiness, is illusory.”

The universal truth of that assertion strikes me as debatable, as does much else in “The Book of Dead Philosophers,” but the link between philosophy and mortality is by necessity an intimate one. In philosophy, the human mind studies itself, and the same faculty that makes this study possible — our self-consciousness — also makes us aware of the inevitability of our own deaths in a way no other living creatures are. Philosophers, therefore, ought to be experts on the problem of how to die well. Since dying only happens once, and (if we’re lucky) it doesn’t take long, acquiring the skill of dying well might seem like a low priority…

While some people might fear death, we just might find something that will help overcome this fear in the book. Interesting reading, to say the least.

Originally posted on May 26, 2011 @ 9:09 am