Philosophy for noobs, a passionate outburst for the rest of us

[Skeptic92]

I have the same formation a you, but I go all the way, even when I do not know.
With such formation, why are you skeptical?
You should be like a solid ground where the others may walk in.
Or the lighthouse so others may see the safe way out…

My name comes frmo that when I first joined the site, I had just joined RCIA, and was ‘skeptical’ about where my faith journey would lead me, my username isn’t appropriate any more really, as I am anything but skeptical, I firmly steadfast to the faith

 

[Perplexity]

Why?
If you have anxiety, do not worry: you exist !!!

I guess for me (and I suspect for others as well), what makes me do philosophy is the desire to stop epistemic discomfort. It’s a feeling we have, an awareness that there’s unhealthy tension between our beliefs, and it’s uncomfortable enough to motivate deep reflection. I don’t think I’d care about truth at all if it weren’t for this epistemic discomfort.

Once you’ve allayed it, you have confidence in a position.

 

[Zundrah]

A philosophy is a personal interpretation of reality which everyone has but not everyone recognises! It is revealed more by the way people live than by what they claim to believe…

I think that in life we all think things that we would like to act out. But social psychology, you know.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I guess for me (and I suspect for others as well), what makes me do philosophy is the desire to stop epistemic discomfort. It’s a feeling we have, an awareness that there’s unhealthy tension between our beliefs, and it’s uncomfortable enough to motivate deep reflection. I don’t think I’d care about truth at all if it weren’t for this epistemic discomfort.

Once you’ve allayed it, you have confidence in a position.

And why do you suffer from “epistemic discomfort” ?

 

[Perplexity]

And why do you suffer from “epistemic discomfort” ?

I’m not sure there is any uniform reason…but I can point to specific examples…for instance, when I was a theist, I remember being shown that my reasons for holding theism were irrational (for me at least). But, I still believed theism. So, I experienced an intense discomfort from the awareness that I was not justified in having this belief. This in turn compelled me to study anything that I took to potentially hold the remedy. Eventually, I found that remedy in atheism. I think most people at some point experience epistemic discomfort.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I’m not sure there is any uniform reason…but I can point to specific examples…for instance, when I was a theist, I remember being shown that my reasons for holding theism were irrational (for me at least). But, I still believed theism. So, I experienced an intense discomfort from the awareness that I was not justified in having this belief. This in turn compelled me to study anything that I took to potentially hold the remedy. Eventually, I found that remedy in atheism. I think most people at some point experience epistemic discomfort.

I remember being shown that my reasons for holding theism were irrational (for me at least).

Who said to you and what did he say that you considered irrational ’
The proofs of the existence of God are pretty rational (Aquinas, At. Anselm…)

 

[Antiphoni_Bridd]

:newidea: Hi Zundrah,

I think that I would say that it is the search for truth. This search covers every possible thing we can think of and stuff we can’t imagine.

Philosophers become knowledgable about many things in their pursuit for truth.

:twocents:

 

[greylorn]

If you could explain philosophy and what it means for you to someone who understands nothing of it, what would you say?

Forget about formal philosophy. The small percentage of it that is valuable may not be relevant to your life, and you are not about to have any fun trying to dig your personal pearls out of the muck. At least not right now.

Consider the value of learning to use your mind to optimal value. Begin by reading, and perhaps rereading, The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25.

Next, watch the movie, Groundhog Day. I recommend buying the dvd.

Finally, read Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book. You are very likely to enjoy this short book no matter how you feel about philosophy. Adler is one of the good guys, and it’s not a philosophy book.

You will happily and easily figure out your mind’s subsequent journeys. Good luck!