"Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum" (Latin: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") the philosophical statement used by René Descartes, has become so pervasive in modern Western thought that it has even been absorbed into the weave of popular culture. Or G-d made us, therefore we are, as is written in Genesis and other creation legends or accounts of human existence. Herein we shall explore the meaning of our existence, who we are, who is the one cause or origin of our being and meaning.
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On existence, ontology, and coffee in the morning:
In developing a coherent, rigourous, and continuous system of philosophy, perhaps we should look at who we are, who are essaying to construct, or deconstruct, what will, we hope, be one coherent and comprehensive system of thought, possibly too of feeling. Am inviting all who seriously or with joy of humour in serious intent, would aspire to become philosophers or meet with honesty the challenge of philosophical inquiry, to meet with our minds, cooperating in spirits of truth and love, to create what might some day be recognized as a major opus of philosophical, scientific, and spiritual investigation and normative science.
My lady friend brought up "The Philosophy Song" from Monte Python, in which Schliegel was mentioned. Now here below,I quote Paul Halsall on Friedrich von Schlegel (1772-1829):
"The object therefore of philosophy is the inner mental life (geistige Leben), not merely this or that individual faculty in any partial direction, but man's spiritual life with all its rich and manifold energies. With respect to form and method: the philosophy of life sets out from a singte assumption- that of life, or in other words, of a consciousness to a certain degree awakened and manifoldly developed by experience -since it has for its object, and purposes to make known the entire consciousness and not merely a single phase of it. Now, such an end would be hindered rather than promoted by a highly elaborate or minutely exhaustive form and a painfully artificial method; and it is herein that the difference lies between a philosophy of life and the philosophy of the school...."
What are you drinking, sir or ma'am, if you are drinking at all? Coffee here, in a styrofoam cup, taken back from a restaurant in a suburb of a city somewhere in the Midwest. Just had a malted milk chocolate ball.
Voted for by cafegroundzero.
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Why do we have to assume we exist?
Before we can debate the meaning of our existence, we must first prove our existence.
And then, I agree with Kazrith, do we need a reason for existence? Or do many of us, myself included, just feel better believing there is a reason for our existence?
Voted for by maddyblue.
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Weydon
May 20, 2007
Applehead
May 20, 2007
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Weydon
May 20, 2007
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Regardless, I think existing--especially for self-aware creatures--is a wonderful experience. I don't believe in destiny, and if it is real I would likely value the journey to that destined moment--and all the inconsequential moments in between--just as much if not more so. Experiences are often fun, and even frustrating ones can be valuable to learn from. I have much to enjoy, many to love, and plenty to discover. I can even attempt at creating new and interesting things and concepts. All of this in itself is exciting enough to warrant a "reason" for being. Sure, a lot about life is pretty crappy too. But that's why it's important to love everything else.
Kazrith
May 21, 2007
if you ask me
the reason we exist is to find a reason to exist and then continue existing in that way.(which can be good or bad i might add)
mudgod
May 21, 2007
Pretzel logic, no?
We exist. Is there a reason for our existence? Do we have a purpose? Can we know?
The question is, why are you, here?
Why, are you here?
WHY ARE YOU HERE???
How do you find the reason to exist?
Kazrith
May 22, 2007
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Paradoxx
May 21, 2007
Kazrith
May 21, 2007
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Molzahn
June 4, 2007
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existance is higher in the echelon of things.
reason is dirived from existance. existance is present before reasonJanuary 16
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Maybe we do not need one, but that does not preclude there being some "good" in our existence, or some purpose more to the point
There are two ways at least which I can present this at the moment, since I am also playing online backgammon and am not functioning to maximum capacity. First, if there is good and evil, then our existence might be either both good and evil, or neither, or one or the other.Secondly: once we agree that we do exist, then we might as well find some good in the fact or possibilities of existing. Why not? To not find any good in it is too pessimistic for my own preference. What do you all think?
February 11
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Too Late...
Well...We may possibly need to know in order to continue that existance.While in the process I hope when we find the answer we do not accidently destroy that existance.
Thus crunching time in some chamber?
Exploring Time Travel causing rips in time?
Or perhaps the recreation of The BIG BANG theory!?
So many possiblities...
If we destroy ourselves no-one will be around to know.
So...the answer to your question?
No we shouldn't. We should have just bred and enjoyed what nature and life offered and provided.
But! It is too late. Mans mind is just too full of the need to know. That is why the world is in such a mess.
Man has dabbled with what was given to him for free.
Fresh air, freah water, women/family and food.
I am not blaming todays modern human. This is what we all were raised to believe. This goes much further back then even the kings of Egypt and Roman Empires. Where man wanted to be Gods. Wanted to be the reason's behind what was a given.
Man has messed up since the very begining.
...And for the record I believe we are transplants from
another race that also messed up and destroyed their world. And we will continue to destroy worlds as long as there is science. I'd be just as happy as a beast making love by a river under stars I can see clearly.
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