We can't escape point one, Roel. Genetics defines our limitations at birth. Think of those with obvious genetic defects. Meanwhile few of us could ever be Olympians or world class musicians, no matter how hard we worked.Roel wrote:I agree with the second one, not sure about point one...Greta wrote:If there is no blank slate, then what fills it?
1. Genetics, as suggested by Fooloso's comment. We all come with what could be called "a set of limitations" in that none of our sets of genetic instructions allow for any of us to be world champions in all fields. Those limitations are set from genetics and by gestation.
2. Environment (including human culture). Deprive us of all stimuli and our consciousness would simply diminish.
Are we humans in Essence empty beings?
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Re: Are we humans in Essence empty beings?
- Roel
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Re: Are we humans in Essence empty beings?
Yes that is correct, but if a parent learns a skill extremely well, could it be inherited? Some say it can't.Greta wrote:We can't escape point one, Roel. Genetics defines our limitations at birth. Think of those with obvious genetic defects. Meanwhile few of us could ever be Olympians or world class musicians, no matter how hard we worked.Roel wrote: (Nested quote removed.)
I agree with the second one, not sure about point one...
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Re: Are we humans in Essence empty beings?
I would ask: Empty of what?Roel wrote:Sometimes I wonder if we aren't empty beings. Many People Are superficial and only care about gratifying their needs, but even of the people with a More complex Personality I wonder if these aren't just "complex overlayers" in line with evolution. It doesn't Matter of we are theïst, altruistic, philosophical or ambitieus, aren't these just added complexiteit to a core which is empty?
If we remove All our unique features like religion, ambition and philosophical what Does remain? An empty beings with a twisted perception?
In part, in the most basic sense, how are we any more "empty" than any other species on this planet?
What the human species has though is the capacity to add greater substance to our lives; whether it be subjective or objective that is arguable.
I find the whole question though to be anthropocentrically elitist. Life is meaningful in and of itself, and the question seems to imply that we are somehow less than 'we should be'. I believe that we certainly are still less than we can be, but not than we should be. There's no "we should be" anything. We are and will be what we make ourselves and our species to be.
2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
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