The Philosophy Thread

[Louanne Learning]

If our lives are to mean anything, then like everything else, they must have an end, as depressing as that may sound. I'd rather not live forever, not even as a ghost or spirit.

What's your view?

This would depend on what form the afterlife would take, and indeed what form a "spirit" would take in that afterlife. If it is characterized by the parameters of human existence - the same kind of thoughts, sensibilities, judgements - then indeed it would be hell. But, what if instead is it characterized by a state of pure bliss? As of now, we only understand this plane of existence, but as I like to say, it does not follow that that means that is all there is.

 

[Louanne Learning]

Coming across the Hemingway quote below reminded me of something I once read: “We are all hypocrites.”

One theory used to explain behavioral inconsistencies is “modularity” – that our brains consist of “modules” that don’t always work together seamlessly.

Modularity suggests that:

there is no “I.” Instead, each of us is a contentious “we”—a collection of discrete but interacting systems whose constant conflicts shape our interactions with one another and our experience of the world.

And then that reminds me of Walt Whitman’s famous quote from the poem Song of Myself:

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)

I’m trying to decide if it is better to embrace all our sides, or aim for consistency.

 

[GrahamLewis]

C

I’m trying to decide if it is better to embrace all our sides, or aim for consistency.

I suggest our only option is to do both at the same time. To refuse to embrace all our sides is to seek consistency over integrity.

 

[GrahamLewis]

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts about what you think this means.

View attachment 456

Too bad it doesn't source the quotation, but I bet it's from On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are. I highly recommend it as an intro to Watts' writing.

 

[Louanne Learning]

To refuse to embrace all our sides

I think this might be connected to forgiving yourself if you don't quite meet up with the standards you set for yourself.

seek consistency over integrity.

How does adhering to your principles fit in with this? Is it not good to be consistent in your principles? i.e. a person of principle

 

[Louanne Learning]

Talking about the imperfections of the human mind...

I just now finished reading an article from Nautilus entitled Flat Earthers on a Cruise - a fascinating read.

It ends with this sentence (referencing Primo Levi):

Distrust all the prophets that manipulate the imperfections of the human mind.