Absolute knowledge

[AshtonBlack]

Aye mate. It was a compliment. I like to see someone who can think critically.

Awesome.

Critical thinking isn't something to be proud of, to me its a curse. You have no idea of how I envy the ignorant masses.

You say so much in that statement.
I disagree entirely with the first part. But can understand the second.
Let me ask you this, you can refuse to answer if it's too personal.
What would your "mates" say if they knew you'd written the OP?

Why so?
Nothing is too personal.
I'm not certain as to how they would react, an understand of the terms used is needed to grasp the concept of the OP, but given their usual behaviour to my rants, they would either make a gesture by throwing their hand over their head while ushering 'whooosh' or say 'wtf' and ridicule me for it. Or as usual, ignore me and continue to talk about old people falling over.

I assumed as much, to be brutally honest. Are you going to university soon? (I've forgotten your age, tbh)

[ScholasticSpastic]

I very much agree with this statement:

Also, again, IMHO, some questions, are just silly. For example, those that say what was before the big bang? may as well be asking what is north of the north pole and I think "what is truth" is one of them.

A brief survey of the most intractable "Philosiphical Questions" turns up a disturbing trend: Philosophers (and theologists?) seem to be operating under the misapprehension that the simple ability to frame a question in English without violating the rules of grammar renders the question reasonable or worthy of argument.

I can ask a great many nonsensical questions which do not violate the rules of grammar. Shall we have them ponder those as well?

Prior to asking questions, it's probably a good idea to check and see if the underlying suppositions of the question match up with observable reality.

The question: "What is the meaning of life?" supposes that life has a meaning which is common to everyone.
The question: "What is beauty?" supposes we agree about what is beautiful. I know for a fact that this is not the case.
The question: "What is the nature of consciousness?" makes a lot of suppositions, including that consciousness exists and that consciousness has been defined precisely enough that we can inquire into its nature. We have not come to anything remotely resembling a definition for consciousness or even what sorts of attributes consciousness should have. We have not come to agreement regarding whether consciousness is an embodied phenomenon or the actions of a disparate deciding entity with nothing better to do than watch Cartesian cinema and push buttons. We're not even certain of the extent to which we think about our decisions- some researchers ("some researchers" being my weaseley way of not being arsed to go look up sources) seem to have found that we decide to act without being aware of having made our decision, and then make up a rationalization afterward much of the time.

[Lozzer]

Aye mate. It was a compliment. I like to see someone who can think critically.

Awesome.

Critical thinking isn't something to be proud of, to me its a curse. You have no idea of how I envy the ignorant masses.

You say so much in that statement.
I disagree entirely with the first part. But can understand the second.
Let me ask you this, you can refuse to answer if it's too personal.
What would your "mates" say if they knew you'd written the OP?

Why so?
Nothing is too personal.
I'm not certain as to how they would react, an understand of the terms used is needed to grasp the concept of the OP, but given their usual behaviour to my rants, they would either make a gesture by throwing their hand over their head while ushering 'whooosh' or say 'wtf' and ridicule me for it. Or as usual, ignore me and continue to talk about old people falling over.

I assumed as much, to be brutally honest. Are you going to university soon? (I've forgotten your age, tbh)

Yes, well they have their way and I have mine, I gave up trying to educate them a long time ago.

I'm 17, but I wont be attending University any time soon. Hopefully I will be starting on my AS levels come this September, hopefully.

[Lozzer]

I very much agree with this statement:

Also, again, IMHO, some questions, are just silly. For example, those that say what was before the big bang? may as well be asking what is north of the north pole and I think "what is truth" is one of them.

A brief survey of the most intractable "Philosiphical Questions" turns up a disturbing trend: Philosophers (and theologists?) seem to be operating under the misapprehension that the simple ability to frame a question in English without violating the rules of grammar renders the question reasonable or worthy of argument.

I can ask a great many nonsensical questions which do not violate the rules of grammar. Shall we have them ponder those as well?

Prior to asking questions, it's probably a good idea to check and see if the underlying suppositions of the question match up with observable reality.

The question: "What is the meaning of life?" supposes that life has a meaning which is common to everyone.
The question: "What is beauty?" supposes we agree about what is beautiful. I know for a fact that this is not the case.
The question: "What is the nature of consciousness?" makes a lot of suppositions, including that consciousness exists and that consciousness has been defined precisely enough that we can inquire into its nature. We have not come to anything remotely resembling a definition for consciousness or even what sorts of attributes consciousness should have. We have not come to agreement regarding whether consciousness is an embodied phenomenon or the actions of a disparate deciding entity with nothing better to do than watch Cartesian cinema and push buttons. We're not even certain of the extent to which we think about our decisions- some researchers ("some researchers" being my weaseley way of not being arsed to go look up sources) seem to have found that we decide to act without being aware of having made our decision, and then make up a rationalization afterward much of the time.

And I stand by my own sentiment that having a thorough understanding of truth is fundamental. This question is a product of my own speculations, not the thoughts of philosophers but I'm very flattered if that's what you mistake me for

[AshtonBlack]

Well, I'm glad that you're feeding your head. What would you like to read at University?

[Lozzer]

Well, I'm glad that you're feeding your head. What would you like to read at University?

Id like to study English literature but I'm leaning towards philosophy, but I've figured philosophy is something I could study in my spare time anyway with an open university course.

[AshtonBlack]

Well, I'm glad that you're feeding your head. What would you like to read at University?

Id like to study English literature but I'm leaning towards philosophy, but I've figured philosophy is something I could study in my spare time anyway with an open university course.

Good stuff. My point of all these questions, was to show you that you need not envy the masses' ignorance, because you will be able to discuss these meaningful things with your peers in those institutions, whilst keeping the set of "mates" you have now.

[Lozzer]

Well, I'm glad that you're feeding your head. What would you like to read at University?

Id like to study English literature but I'm leaning towards philosophy, but I've figured philosophy is something I could study in my spare time anyway with an open university course.

Good stuff. My point of all these questions, was to show you that you need not envy the masses' ignorance, because you will be able to discuss these meaningful things with your peers in those institutions, whilst keeping the set of "mates" you have now.

And yet they still have it all so easy, this may be a great generalisation of my own observations, but I have been incredibly ignorant before. When one lacks an understanding of how the Universe works and what it prohibits, reality is open to distortion as one sees fit. I miss fearing ghosts, I miss a belief in ghouls and heaven. I miss misconceptions. It's much more favourable to fear the supernatural as opposed to temporal dangers, and this is exactly what the rest of Labour's 'lost generation' share. Solidarity is an important thing, but now I lack it.

[AshtonBlack]

Well, I'm glad that you're feeding your head. What would you like to read at University?

Id like to study English literature but I'm leaning towards philosophy, but I've figured philosophy is something I could study in my spare time anyway with an open university course.

Good stuff. My point of all these questions, was to show you that you need not envy the masses' ignorance, because you will be able to discuss these meaningful things with your peers in those institutions, whilst keeping the set of "mates" you have now.

And yet they still have it all so easy, this may be a great generalisation of my own observations, but I have been incredibly ignorant before. When one lacks an understanding of how the Universe works and what it prohibits, reality is open to distortion as one sees fit. I miss fearing ghosts, I miss a belief in ghouls and heaven. I miss misconceptions. It's much more favourable to fear the supernatural as opposed to temporal dangers, and this is exactly what the rest of Labour's 'lost generation' share. Solidarity is an important thing, but now I lack it.

Such a nihilistic view, in my opinion, is unhealthy in the long term. I completely understand, you miss innocence. (a better term than ignorance perhaps). You are going the right route (hence why asked about uni). Personally, I would rather strive to be sophisticated and wise, than remain innocent and naive. Taint your nihilism with pragmatism, because "easy" is not always the thing to make you happy.
I think you will regain your feelings of solidarity when you leave your current situation and broaden your experiences at university.

[Lozzer]

Well, I'm glad that you're feeding your head. What would you like to read at University?

Id like to study English literature but I'm leaning towards philosophy, but I've figured philosophy is something I could study in my spare time anyway with an open university course.

Good stuff. My point of all these questions, was to show you that you need not envy the masses' ignorance, because you will be able to discuss these meaningful things with your peers in those institutions, whilst keeping the set of "mates" you have now.

And yet they still have it all so easy, this may be a great generalisation of my own observations, but I have been incredibly ignorant before. When one lacks an understanding of how the Universe works and what it prohibits, reality is open to distortion as one sees fit. I miss fearing ghosts, I miss a belief in ghouls and heaven. I miss misconceptions. It's much more favourable to fear the supernatural as opposed to temporal dangers, and this is exactly what the rest of Labour's 'lost generation' share. Solidarity is an important thing, but now I lack it.

Such a nihilistic view, in my opinion, is unhealthy in the long term. I completely understand, you miss innocence. (a better term than ignorance perhaps). You are going the right route (hence why asked about uni). Personally, I would rather strive to be sophisticated and wise, than remain innocent and naive. Taint your nihilism with pragmatism, because "easy" is not always the thing to make you happy.
I think you will regain your feelings of solidarity when you leave your current situation and broaden your experiences at university.

But disliking nihilism doesn't inhibit it from being true. You can change perceptions but the fact remains. An academic path isn't necessarily the correct path. Logic leads me to accept that University is better for me, but in terms of emotional satisfaction Id much prefer to follow my sentimentalism and be a fuck up. But I can't do that.

That's a very long way away though, even if I manage to get onto my A levels.

[AshtonBlack]

Nihilism is the "what's the point" attitude rather than a statement of fact, in my opinion. I'm sure by continuing your intellectual journey it may for you change. But it's the journey rather than the end product that will change this.
Perhaps academia is not for you, I wouldn't know, but I agree it's the most logical.
These things only you can decide, but arming yourself with knowledge is the wisest thing to do.

[Lozzer]

Nihilism is the "what's the point" attitude rather than a statement of fact, in my opinion. I'm sure by continuing your intellectual journey it may for you change. But it's the journey rather than the end product that will change this.
Perhaps academia is not for you, I wouldn't know, but I agree it's the most logical.
These things only you can decide, but arming yourself with knowledge is the wisest thing to do.

Agreed.