How To Have Productive Philosophical Conversations
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so in response i would ask "is the whole of the universe a building block?" or "are the sum of all the parts equal to a whole?" the first being an open ended question the latter being a "no"("all parts" are not equal to "a whole" by an infinitely small amount). Being humble is usually the best stance when addressing some one it instills a sense of respect and trust and creates a clear mind and space for everyone participating in the conversation with out having to be overly passive-aggressive.
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From what I have experienced in life, people hate confrontation. People want to believe what they already believe. They do not want 'truth'. They do not want their minds 'changed'. They'd rather remain ignorant to 'truth'.
In order to have a "successful" philosophical conversation, one must never ask any questions or call into doubt another's belief-system. People find such questioning and doubting offensive in nature.
In fact, I have never met a person online or in "real life" who hasn't become offended by me and my questioning. But I am still learning the true philosophical art, and that is, Self-Censorship.
One only can engage Philosophy with Oneself, none else.
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Welder wrote:In fact, I have never met a person online or in "real life" who hasn't become offended by me and my questioning.
That's quite something, Welder. Maybe, one day you'll tell us about those sleepless, stormy, autumn nights of questioning and doubting that you've been doing. Until then, I somehow expect we'll see more of the usual, prosaic and redundant, one word or one sentence "answers" from you.
“Come back and wow us next year.” - Simon Cowell
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Simple questions deserve simple answers.Hmmm wrote:That's quite something, Welder. Maybe, one day you'll tell us about those sleepless, stormy, autumn nights of questioning and doubting that you've been doing. Until then, I somehow expect we'll see more of the usual, prosaic and redundant, one word or one sentence "answers" from you.
“Come back and wow us next year.” - Simon Cowell
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the question is did my question offend you? That is what's in question.Welder wrote:
In fact, I have never met a person online or in "real life" who hasn't become offended by me and my questioning. But I am still learning the true philosophical art, and that is, Self-Censorship.
One only can engage Philosophy with Oneself, none else.
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lol
IN PHILOSOPHY reduction to the absurd is a must regardless of anybodies beliefs or sensitive nature !
Sorry:
BOOK OF PURE LOGIC.
By: George F. Thomson B.
George.
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Re: lol
What an underhanded tactic, to promote your "book". Let me guess, you strongly believe in God too, huh?Pure-logic-book wrote:
IN PHILOSOPHY reduction to the absurd is a must regardless of anybodies beliefs or sensitive nature !
Sorry:
BOOK OF PURE LOGIC.
By: George F. Thomson B.
George.
Just because you arrive at Absurdity does not mean all others do.
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Re: How To Have Productive Philosophical Conversations
This is really another topic, but just a taste. Suppose we listened, not as a means to some other end such as communication or conclusions etc, but embraced listening for itself?Most importantly, you need to listen as well as you can to the other people in the discussion.
Hmm, not my experience. Talking too much gives me good training for talking too much some more.Ironically, if you talk too much, you will have a lot of trouble expressing yourself.
I like questions!Plato's dialogues show how Socrates used questions to have productive philosophical conversations with others.
I LOVE this one! This is my number one complaint with most philosophical writing. People who can, and will, boil it down to street language are my heros.This may seem obvious, but many people instead try to show off or make their ideas seem stronger by using more complex language.
This is indisputably true. And indisputably important. And trying to sweep this reality under the table is not very good philosophy, imho.If the conversation turns into a contest, or if any of the speakers feel angry or offended, it will greatly reduce the philosophical productivity of the discussion. A discussion about philosophy can quickly degenerate into a name-calling, insult-throwing fight.
I vote, just one person's vote that's all, it's better to put all the noise on the table, and then talk about it.
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Re: How To Have Productive Philosophical Conversations
1. People raise questions I never considered before, which to answer, forces me to reorganize my thinking.
2. People point me to concepts, quotes, studies that I did not know about, that are quite enlightening to consider. "Chas" for example over at "Is Science true," directed me to a study on train wrecks and intuition, that handily confirms the existence of valid intuitive predictions, and measues how often intuition is used, in some cases.
The heated discussions are cautionary tales, and remind us that we are not just amusing ourselves. Improving philosophical understanding and knowledge has saved lives, and suppressed (because it was painful) philosophical discussion caused untold suffering. Pain is not hurt. It is a warning, that prevents hurt.
2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023