We STILL need a philosophy forum

I do enjoy thinking but most of my thoughts would probably be considered ridiculous by others, so I would not venture them on here as a possible subject for philosophical discussion.

I didn't see the quotation as being anti-religion. I saw it more as a caution against defining oneself primarily in terms of extrinsic
categorisations. We are not born Christian, Muslim, English, African, etc., etc. We only acquire these labels through learning from others that we are part of the group that defines itself in that way.

I think he's suggesting that as soon as we define ourselves in terms of one particular group, rather than just as a human being, those who are defined differently, immediately become "the other" and that is where conflict arises.

Easier said than done though.

Agreed. Are you listening HQ?

Yes, that makes sense, bags. We can start a debate with an open mind (hopefully) when it's a philosophical topic rather than a real-life current scenario.

I have not looked at the link, thatbags I must do so.

I would back your plea for a philosophy forum - to talk of generalisations, not specific news items or personal problems but of ideas.

The suggestion of a philosophy forum on gransnet was so that subjects like this, which are not about religion, can be discussed in a forum that is not the religion and spirituality forum. Made sense to me at the time and it still does.

Anyone who thinks the quotation that the OP links to is anti-religion has not understood what the quotation is saying. It used both examples of religions and examples of countries or geographical regions (Europe was one, India was another) to make the point about how unnecessary categorising can be limiting. I expect religions and geographical regions were used because they are easily understood concepts (at least on a basic level). Other concepts could have been used just as well. I liked the quotation because it provoked some interesting thoughts (philosophical ones) in my head, so I shared it with gransnetters with friendly, conversational intentions. It is not anti-religion and, in my case anyway, the thoughts it provoked were not anti-religion either.

That is one very good post GRACE.

I like the idea of a philosophy forum but you would, I feel, need to define philosophy.

The link the OP included did not seem to be anything to do with philosophy but is just an anti-religious rant. Faith hurts no one; it is personal. Religion need not hurt anyone if it is followed by people who choose to believe. Extremism is what hurts people, be it extremist religion or extremist anti-religion, because it insists that people believe what the extremist believes.

Seeing both sides of the argument is indeed a serious handicap, Lona You can find both sides ganging up against you. Being distracted into discussing vcuum cleaners is another handicap.

Not hampered, Lona. It's an advantage that you can see both sides.

Elegran and Holly Thanks for taking the trouble to elucidate for me.

My problem is that I do far too much thinking, hampered by the fact that I can nearly always see both sides of the argument.

I did think that perhaps the Thought for the Day thread was the nearest we were likely to come to something that caused us to think without coming to verbal blows.

Yes Elegran. Roomba will arrive sometime in October. I've had to have it as a birthday present, but although I always said I would never have a household item as a present, this time I don't care.

From philosophy to vacuum cleaners...
Might have helped if the OP had explained a bit more about what she was suggesting and not just posted a link.
This forum stands as much chance of having a reasoned debate about the meaning of life as it does of solving advanced differential equations. I think anyone who wants to debate philosophy needs to find a different arena and not attempt to swim through jelly.

You need a Roomba, janerowena Mine was delivered on Thursday. It has cleaned upstairs once and downstairs twice (the second time was this afternoon, to demonstrate it to my son and daughter-in-law. I don't know where all the dust came from but it seemed to find as much today as it did on Friday)

Under the armchairs, the sideboard and the beds have never been as clean. All I have done is press its button and move a few things out of its way. (Oh and empty the dustbox each time, which is not very big) I just wish it could clean windows and dust.

Yes, I do enjoy thinking. Although as I said earlier, I usually end up just worrying myself and being pretty sure that nothing will ever get better in the world, humans will always find a reason for conflict simply because so many of them actually enjoy it. I have huge battles with myself in my own mind -

Inheritance of wealth vs, those who have to earn it, for example.

If the UK gradually sinks under the ocean, would it be fair to force people on higher ground to take in others who would otherwise be homeless?

Thinking too much is a dangerous hobby - it leads to much looking-up of stuff on the internet, and filthy carpets.

Hollydaze thankyou for taking the trouble of explaing xx Flo

I don't think 's philosophy's about what true or false either, ffinnochio - just musing on a point...

Lona

I'm not sure there really is a point anymore other than to test your own theories against those of others. Philosophy has never provided answers and I doubt it ever will but it does challenge your belief system.

Philosophy has fallen from grace over the last few years as it seldom provides answers to anything - it's more a catalyst for people to spend time postulating on things!

It doesn't always have to be serious. In Medieval times, the big universities (Cambridge, Oxford) used to hold debates to train academics minds to focus and remain rigidly on their train of thought. The students would come up with topics to be debated by two nominated students in front of all their peers and academics and the subject matter could be as daft as 'why shouldn't a carrot get married'. The outcome wasn't important but arriving 'logically' at a conclusion, from both sides, was.

Didn't study philosophy at my Secondary Modern dump. Now's my chance to learn a bit in a comfortable environment.

Yes, I enjoy thinking, although not very adept at transferring thoughts to paper.

Ana As I see it, philosophy isn't about what's true or false, but looking at concepts from many aspects and developing ideas and knowledge. Or put another way, it's about opening up the mind.

DJ I do too. It's about asking the big questions and by discussion, thought and reflection considering some possible answers to those questions. It's not about glib point scoring.

Mine was answer to DJ

I do!
Is this a philosophical discussion about a definition of philosophy?
Or is the discussion a philosophical discussion per se?

Ah, but you'd only know what they said, not what you know to be true...