Philosophy help!!
I'm a beginning Philosophy student, and the in-class circles of discussion are not helping me to learn what I'm supposed to be learning! Just what am I supposed to be getting out of this class?? lol
We began by discussing Psychological Egoism & Cultural Relativism, and soon will be discussing Divine Command Theory. I understand PE to be 'me, me, me'! And CR to be 'majority rules'. Divine Command Theory, if I remember correctly, is basically saying we have no free will. (I learned something of Philosophy when I was much, much younger! and it was probably a mix of self-learned and one on one instruction.)
Anyone care to join a discussion and help me relearn what I've forgotten? lol The instructor said the purpose of the class is to critically evaluate moral standards, understand moral reasoning, and (I think) to help the student determine right/wrong about the way things should be. I know I can do it, I've done it before. The problem is I don't know the correct steps to take, the terminology, or the basic ideas that brought me to my belief system.
Where do I start? Thanks!
?? lol
just so you know, that came from my 8-9 year old self, (not in those exact words, I'm sure!) when I first heard of the Divine Command Theory. I don't think I understood at that time that I was supposed to be critically evaluating it - I'm sure I thought I was learning something true about the world.Hi Raf:
It took me quite a while to understand that the purpose of a college education is to make you think and teach one how to research and find things.
You will do well I'm sure.:
QwarkI've discovered, as an adult, that I enjoy researching things. Once I get something in my head and I look into it, omg, I'll go all night/week until I'm satisfied with what I find! In fact, it wasn't until about 5-6 years ago that I fully understood what Research meant! lol (I went crazy with Encyclopedia Britannica on my computer. lol)
I'm just still struggling with where to go with my interests and skills.
lolRAf:
I'm sorry! What part confused you? I'm curious.
Sarcasm isn't me.
I tell it as it is and how I see it.
All of what I've posted to you is a sincere and honest response to your questions.
I'm for ya!
Qwark:
I know this is going to sound obscure --almost quantified, but bear with me, Rafini.
Right/Wrong are the operators of Choice.
Both require application to even exist.
Voiding both would be Free Will, applying either would be Choice.
So choice is the base (the necessity). Without necessity there are no conditions (terms/commands).
You can still think for yourself but not apply the conditions or the base necessity.
Right/Wrong, Tangible/Intangible, Good/Evil, Light/Dark are all identical.
An example would be the human being - a tangible body, intangible spirit -right? But if you reverse the process spirit becomes tangible, body intangible. (some reference this a jin, death, transcending --it is even practical in yoga, etc.
The unifier is the mind, the processor of tangible and intangible.
Darkness is simple a lack of tangibility while light is a lack of intangibility and vice verse.
Not challenging DCT, I would raise this point and see what they respond to: Use this ( which got me in serious hot water )
"It is not necessary to consider a question -nor its opponent- a conclusion, both are relational parallels of Choice. Void both and you have unlimited Free Will. Apply either and you are the condition --that is you are Choice and are processing Choice".
James.nope, not obscure, but I'm not sure about quantified.
Okay, what I'm getting is - obviously, right and wrong are polar opposites but it is possible to walk the line directly between the two. Who's to say what's right and what's wrong? What's right to me could be wrong to you.
OMG! That's putting it right back at the beginning! lol
Okay, let's try this again.
Right and wrong are polar opposites, but the possibility of being directly in the middle while being capable of accepting non-opposing viewpoints does exist.
Much better! So, this would explain how murder is considered wrong but murder as self-defense is acceptable.
Is this what you're saying? (I can't raise your point unless I understand it. )Within Choice right/wrong exist as you said (exemplified by murder).
However, Free Will is the sum and substance. Within the "sphere" of Free Will is choice and where the parallels exist. but Light/Dark are not different, only seen differently by the application.
What is light? Tangible energy.
What is dark? Intangible energy.
what is right is deemed visible/evident provable
what is not right is deemed invisible/inevident unprovable
what is good is deemed light
what is evil is deemed dark
What is the mind?
The processor of light/dark.
Now when a human applies thinking, relies on internal thoughts, they must choose. It is impossible for them not to --as the processor has become the Processor. This is where the division comes in. The mind is relatively singular in its processes, so it requires uniformity to make itself process as its own, else it would be void (unconscious) of itself and the flow of tangible-intangible would be uninterrupted.
So, by applying (question, think, conclude/results **), the mind creates a parallel "uni" verse of conditions. These are all necessities.
Remove the condition of necessity and there is no division.
No division, no choice or applications of it.
Free Will then is absolute.
James.
** this is called the tres priori.
Priori - Question
A Priori - Process within process
Posteriori - Determination
Hey Rafini,
I've no schooling on philosophy at all, however, during my time researching religion and history, I was forced to try to learn and understand a little bit about philosophy.
I'm no good at the terminology, however, I did write a hub on Morals, if that helps.(that's why I said 'all around not a bad suggestion')
I'm not looking for different branches of Philosophy (what branch does a beginner study??) but to understand what it is I'm supposed to be understanding.
Gotta remember, I'm a strange learner. When I read about Cultural Relativism I think I'm reading theories that have been proven and it takes me a while to get the idea that I'm supposed to argue with it!
(because being critical isn't a good thing!! Or, so I've been told. Seriously though, ~ I'm not very good at separating when being critical is okay and when not to be critical and most times I get it backwards)
Hey Rafini,
Remember also, emotions are amoral. Meaning, they are neither right or wrong.
- china manposted 12 years ago
0 Indeed. But I think the philosophical loses so badly that the professor wouldn't dare allow it
!!
I'm guessing here (being philosophical), but it seems to me that the philosophical approach predated the scientific method and was an attempt to explain from some observation and a lot of thought what we later became capable of study with more controlled observations. Then, later in history, philosophy became rather self-absorbed and focused more on the thought processes and less on concrete observation. Just IMHO.
Well guess I can't help you much since my degrees are all in (natural) sciences
(except one in Business Studies (which is actually sometimes referred to as a "science"too 
)
But just do what you like and don't consider changing your subject just because of money or prestige reasons - everybody should study what he or she likes the most! And if you're good at it you'll be happier anywaysHello RDS, if you have any experience in Philosophy I'm sure you'd be of some help.
I'm in the process of rediscovering what I like - I've always had an interest in Philosophy so I thought I should check it out.oh, I loved Algebra! It was my favorite class!
That is...until my Algebra teacher decided to make an example of me and it backfired in my face.
I lost interest in science when I didn't get the chemistry set, lol, but may have pursued it in high school if Algebra hadn't turned out the way it did.
Well, ya see, I kind of have to take the Intro to Philosophy before getting into the higher levels. I'm not too sure I will, but I'm exploring right now. Last semester was all about my strengths. This semester is about my interests. (it actually seems to be beginning as a bust - I'm very bored which doesn't make sense) Next semester will be about meeting requirements (I haven't taken a math course yet either - I want to retake the Compass Test so I can land back in Algebra rather than Pre-Algebra) And my final semester will be for any leftovers.Calculus is logic?
I really do get tired of trying to keep up with what classifies as what or belongs in what category. lol I'd prefer to do the work and just get it over with! lol You know, so I can move on to whatever's next. lol
Mathematics helps with investigating the validity of arguments? I suppose that makes sense. My Reason In Communication class (from last semester) is listed as Quantitative Reasoning, which I heard can be used by some as a math credit. (I guess it depends on the program - I couldn't use it as math) I just don't understand how, I guess.
It's cool if you do what you like most. I was hungry for scientific knowledge since I was a small kid and that's what I later studied. And It made/makes me happy! So if you were interested in philosophy and always wanted to know more about it, it's the best thing to do what you're interested in. You only become good in subjects you really like not the ones who you study just for getting a good degree or making money. (And you can always change if you think that philosophy isn't the right thing for you
) So go for it Rafini!! -
Ya know, now I'm wondering if I shouldn't take more science classes...there's obviously some kind of interest there....
I'm so confused!! lolthere are tons of tests online but they don't seem to help, the last one I took told me to get a doctor doctor (THAT kind of doctor
) but well medical school never appealed to me
But I'll try my best to help you myself, just answer these questions
Do you like reading textbooks?
What's your dream job?
Mathematics are... (complete the sentence)
How many books do you read per month ?
How much time do you have to spend for studying every day ?
Where did you get the highest marks in school?
What's the first thing you think of when you hear the term "paper"?
What do you prefer: Sudoku, chess, crossword puzzles or playing basketball
Cigarettes are... (complete the sentence once again)
Life is... (complete the sentence - o.k. last time now xD)
My favorite number is?
Do you read newspapers?
Do you have any pets ?
Which foreign language appeals to you the most?
Do you enjoy debating?
Ok hope all the questions are clear and the "RDSPhD, which subject shall I study"-algorithm is ready for data processingOoooh, a test!! lol
1. yes (I know, it's odd!! lol I read my son's history book from front to back!)
2. too many options!! Do I really have to choose? Um...Novelist.
3. numbers and equations
4. not many
5. study? Well...you see...As long as I'm interested, I'll devote the right amount of time to complete my assignments.
6. throughout elementary & middle school - all subjects. In high school, Math & English
7. give me a pen or pencil so I can write something! (or doodle, make a mark, whatever! just ink & paper go together. lol)
8. Sudoku
9. off limits
10. a complicated journey
11. 9
12. No
13. yes
14. Used to be Spanish, now, Latin piques my interest. Sign Language, if it could be considered a Foreign Language.
15. NO! But, I do enjoy discussing the opposite sides of things. I suppose I could say I enjoy debating as long as it's civilized.
(I don't get it. lol what's my fave # got to do with it? lol)Haha ok well I've got to tell you from what you've answered you're very well suited for any scientific matter. But since that's just a feeling of myself based on 15 random questions (that I've tried to make very concealed so you couldn't predict the outcome) and you're also interested in philosophy I would suggest you to visit several lectures (maybe of last years class) in different matters before you start studying yourself. I think you will feel when you're sitting in the right subject (although it strongly depends on the teaching person
).
Hey Girl, You go! I love Philosphy of the heart, but you're studing for a degree and that type of focus and content is rarely the good stuff that gets your heart racing!
Hang in there and remember your passion. YOUR PASSION for Philosophy.lol
I'm looking for a new one - getting kinda tired of all these men from India contacting me.BWAHAHAHAhahahaha!!! I love it.
Actually, all of the ones you've posted have been beautiful. Don't think that you're gonna escape those men from India
! Or from anywhere else, either.
Raf:
I argued, in class, with my philosophy prof.
The definition of "philosophy" is "love of knowledge."
If he made statement I didn't agree with I'd challenge him and remind him of that definition and that the purpose of a student attending college was to, not only be taught a subject, but to learn to think! Not just to accept rote, the words of a professor.
My Prof would end out little debates by turning to the blackboard and announcing, to the class that Mr Qwark, had just earned an "F" for todays class and chalk a big "F" on the blackboard!
I ended "Philosophy 101" with an A-:
Read your subject, know it well, and be ready to challenge your prof. If he/she is truly a "philosopher at heart," and you present your argument logically, knowledgeably and firmly. your prof will appreciate you as being a "thinker!"
But be ready to accept a "studious and learned" beating. Accept it with honor and learn from the experience. You, at least tried!:
QwarkGreat story!
omg - I have so much trouble opening my mouth in class and I do so much better in writing! lol
Okay, I get the point. I need to speak up in class, and not let everyone else have all the fun.
