"Philosophy is too impersonal" and I agree with this. While philosophy may not always give us the answers, they help us with the questioning. And only by experiencing the questions ourselves might we arrive at the answers we truly need.
Reminds me of a quote from Wittgenstein on the purpose of philosophy.
"Philosophy simply puts everything before us, and neither explains nor deduces anything. -- Since everything lies open to view there is nothing to explain. For what is hidden, for example, is of no interest to us...The work of the philosopher consists in assembling reminders for a particular purpose"
Yes! And I think if we have answers it can allow us to explore them some more. But it is a mistake to *start* with philosophy. One will just get confused!!
Thanks for giving me lots of food for thought. And for sharing Wittgenstein's quote! But I've slowly came to realize that what's hidden is important, and even more so now. So where shall one start from if not philosophy?
I am actually *just* about to read a paper on this! I think the idea of a 'transformative experience' might be helpful here. Maybe I'll have more to say on this soon.
But here's at least what my gut says. Perhaps there is not one place to start, and starting is not something we strictly *do.* Rather, we acquire confidence in these various ideas based on the lives we lead, and that confidence then ends up informing our philosophy.
Here is maybe a useful comparison? I hope! Falling in love with someone is not an 'action.' We do not choose to do it. But it is not a 'fever,' either, in part because it seems so right to us. We feel that there is no state we would rather be in!
To stick with the analogy: perhaps philosophy does not give us the love (answers) itself -- no amount of argument can convince one to love another -- but allows one to engage and appreciate it more fully. Or defend it from the attacks and arguments of others. Where do we get love from then? There isn't one answer to that question, and it depends very much on the circumstances! Perhaps the same is true for other basic beliefs...
Wonderful! I really like your analogy on love here. It makes a lot of sense! I also appreciate you terming it as "transformative experience" that touches our heart by walking life, by living, while we can also make sense logically/ analytically. I can certainly relate to this idea given my transformative experience of tea. 🙏 Will continue to think more about this - thank you!!
"Philosophy is too impersonal" and I agree with this. While philosophy may not always give us the answers, they help us with the questioning. And only by experiencing the questions ourselves might we arrive at the answers we truly need.
Reminds me of a quote from Wittgenstein on the purpose of philosophy.
"Philosophy simply puts everything before us, and neither explains nor deduces anything. -- Since everything lies open to view there is nothing to explain. For what is hidden, for example, is of no interest to us...The work of the philosopher consists in assembling reminders for a particular purpose"
Yes! And I think if we have answers it can allow us to explore them some more. But it is a mistake to *start* with philosophy. One will just get confused!!
Thanks for giving me lots of food for thought. And for sharing Wittgenstein's quote! But I've slowly came to realize that what's hidden is important, and even more so now. So where shall one start from if not philosophy?
I am actually *just* about to read a paper on this! I think the idea of a 'transformative experience' might be helpful here. Maybe I'll have more to say on this soon.
But here's at least what my gut says. Perhaps there is not one place to start, and starting is not something we strictly *do.* Rather, we acquire confidence in these various ideas based on the lives we lead, and that confidence then ends up informing our philosophy.
Here is maybe a useful comparison? I hope! Falling in love with someone is not an 'action.' We do not choose to do it. But it is not a 'fever,' either, in part because it seems so right to us. We feel that there is no state we would rather be in!
To stick with the analogy: perhaps philosophy does not give us the love (answers) itself -- no amount of argument can convince one to love another -- but allows one to engage and appreciate it more fully. Or defend it from the attacks and arguments of others. Where do we get love from then? There isn't one answer to that question, and it depends very much on the circumstances! Perhaps the same is true for other basic beliefs...
What do you think?
Wonderful! I really like your analogy on love here. It makes a lot of sense! I also appreciate you terming it as "transformative experience" that touches our heart by walking life, by living, while we can also make sense logically/ analytically. I can certainly relate to this idea given my transformative experience of tea. 🙏 Will continue to think more about this - thank you!!