Less than possible quality

Use this philosophy forum to discuss and debate general philosophy topics that don't fit into one of the other categories.

This forum is NOT for factual, informational or scientific questions about philosophy (e.g. "What year was Socrates born?"). Those kind of questions can be asked in the off-topic section.
Post Reply
User avatar
Intellectual_Savnot
Posts: 97
Joined: November 26th, 2018, 11:07 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Myself
Location: Wokeville, California
Contact:

Less than possible quality

Post by Intellectual_Savnot »

If we make a cup of tea with three bags of tea leaves, and make another serving with the same tea leaves, the second serving will be good enough to be considered one cup worth of flavor, but less good than the first cup.
What to do?
You have three bags of tea, lots of hot water, and a cup.
The philosophy at hand is, do we accept something if there is something of higher quality of the same type?
Any ideas are appreciated.
User avatar
h_k_s
Posts: 1243
Joined: November 25th, 2018, 12:09 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle
Location: Rocky Mountains

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by h_k_s »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 17th, 2019, 7:13 am If we make a cup of tea with three bags of tea leaves, and make another serving with the same tea leaves, the second serving will be good enough to be considered one cup worth of flavor, but less good than the first cup.
What to do?
You have three bags of tea, lots of hot water, and a cup.
The philosophy at hand is, do we accept something if there is something of higher quality of the same type?
Any ideas are appreciated.
On the tea, I normally determine how much tea I need/want, then I pull enough tea bags from the box to make that much tea. Usually 1 bag works per cup. I have done double strength but never triple strength.

On the philosophy, the best author on "quality" is Robert Pirsig in his books "Zen And Motorcycle Maintenance."

His first philosophy book lays down the argument for being anti-technology.

In his second book he totally refutes his first book. This is similar to another classic philosopher who also wrote 2 books in which the second was a complete repudiation of the first. Forgot the guy's name though, offhand.

Prisig asks the question, "What is Quality?"

In the first book, he talks about excellence in stoicism.

In the second book, he talks about indulgence in Epicureanism.
User avatar
Present awareness
Posts: 1389
Joined: February 3rd, 2014, 7:02 pm

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Present awareness »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 17th, 2019, 7:13 am If we make a cup of tea with three bags of tea leaves, and make another serving with the same tea leaves, the second serving will be good enough to be considered one cup worth of flavor, but less good than the first cup.
What to do?
You have three bags of tea, lots of hot water, and a cup.
The philosophy at hand is, do we accept something if there is something of higher quality of the same type?
Any ideas are appreciated.
You’ve made the observation that if you put so much water through so many tea leaves, the result will be a certain flavour. Run more water through the same tea leaves and the flavour will be different. You may prefer one cup over the other, but so what? It is as it is.
The philosophy at hand is, do you accept the limitations that life imposes on us or do you try to stretch out that which is there, into something more?
Even though you can see me, I might not be here.
User avatar
Intellectual_Savnot
Posts: 97
Joined: November 26th, 2018, 11:07 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Myself
Location: Wokeville, California
Contact:

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Intellectual_Savnot »

Present awareness The point is, do you accept something if something of higher quality is possible. We are assuming that tea gets better with more leaves, that is why I used that example.
User avatar
Present awareness
Posts: 1389
Joined: February 3rd, 2014, 7:02 pm

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Present awareness »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 23rd, 2019, 12:59 pm @Present awareness The point is, do you accept something if something of higher quality is possible. We are assuming that tea gets better with more leaves, that is why I used that example.
If we accept things as there are, rather then how they might be, we are more in tune with reality, instead of wishful thinking. However, that doesn’t mean we should not strive for improvement, only that what “is” already “is” whereas what might be, isn’t and perhaps may never be.
Even though you can see me, I might not be here.
User avatar
Intellectual_Savnot
Posts: 97
Joined: November 26th, 2018, 11:07 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Myself
Location: Wokeville, California
Contact:

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Intellectual_Savnot »

Accepting things how they are, I can have alot of one thing at a lower quality, or one thing of high quality and another of lower quality, or I accept having one thing of high quality and shun using another lower quality thing as it is inferior to something I have already had. Can you directly answer the question?
User avatar
Present awareness
Posts: 1389
Joined: February 3rd, 2014, 7:02 pm

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Present awareness »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 23rd, 2019, 1:33 pm Accepting things how they are, I can have alot of one thing at a lower quality, or one thing of high quality and another of lower quality, or I accept having one thing of high quality and shun using another lower quality thing as it is inferior to something I have already had. Can you directly answer the question?
You may, of course, do as you wish!
Even though you can see me, I might not be here.
User avatar
h_k_s
Posts: 1243
Joined: November 25th, 2018, 12:09 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle
Location: Rocky Mountains

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by h_k_s »

Tea used to be a luxury.

Now it is very cheap.

Why not just use new bags ?!
User avatar
Intellectual_Savnot
Posts: 97
Joined: November 26th, 2018, 11:07 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Myself
Location: Wokeville, California
Contact:

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Intellectual_Savnot »

Tea isn't the subject it is just an example. Also, I don't have a driver's license or the money to buy myself new tea so I just have to deal with the supplies I receive.
User avatar
Mark1955
Posts: 739
Joined: July 21st, 2015, 4:02 am
Favorite Philosopher: David Hume
Location: Nottingham, England.

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Mark1955 »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 17th, 2019, 7:13 am If we make a cup of tea with three bags of tea leaves, and make another serving with the same tea leaves, the second serving will be good enough to be considered one cup worth of flavor, but less good than the first cup.
What to do?
You have three bags of tea, lots of hot water, and a cup.
The philosophy at hand is, do we accept something if there is something of higher quality of the same type?
Any ideas are appreciated.
I'm a bit confused, if there are only three tea bags ever and three tea bags is your perfect cup of tea, then you have no choice but to accept either inferior tea or no tea at all after the first cup. If other tea bags are available then you have to decide what ammonut of additional effort you will put in to get new bags against tolerating a lesser cup of tea. This a subjective judgement only you can make for yourself.
If you think you know the answer you probably don't understand the question.
Lone Wolf
Posts: 67
Joined: March 1st, 2015, 9:33 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Pooh

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Lone Wolf »

Having worked in quality control and quality assurance for more than 40 years, it has been my observation that the level of quality is equal to the strength of the user's demands. In the case of the number of tea bags being used and/or reused, the user will determine the level of quality he/she wants.
User avatar
Sculptor1
Posts: 7089
Joined: May 16th, 2019, 5:35 am

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Sculptor1 »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 17th, 2019, 7:13 am If we make a cup of tea with three bags of tea leaves, and make another serving with the same tea leaves, the second serving will be good enough to be considered one cup worth of flavor, but less good than the first cup.
What to do?
You have three bags of tea, lots of hot water, and a cup.
The philosophy at hand is, do we accept something if there is something of higher quality of the same type?
Any ideas are appreciated.
I'm not sure your scenario is clear.
If I had 3 bags and one cup, I'd make three cups of tea over a extended period.

If you make a cup of tea with 3 bags you get a very strong cup of tea, and the second cup will be either too strong, just right, or two weak depending on how long you leave the bags in the first time. But you could even time to first cup to be perfect too.

So I fail to see how your questions follow.
User avatar
Sculptor1
Posts: 7089
Joined: May 16th, 2019, 5:35 am

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Sculptor1 »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 23rd, 2019, 12:59 pm @Present awareness The point is, do you accept something if something of higher quality is possible. We are assuming that tea gets better with more leaves, that is why I used that example.
I think the example is poor.
As for the question. Accepting something of less than perfect quality is what we do everyday, through necessity. My car could be more fuel efficient , the roads could be clearer; there could be a train station outside my house that leads directly to work; I could have a army of artists to do my bidding so that I was spared the heavy work; pigs could fly dropping perfect rashers of bacon onto my plate that tasted fantastic but has zero calories....
User avatar
Intellectual_Savnot
Posts: 97
Joined: November 26th, 2018, 11:07 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Myself
Location: Wokeville, California
Contact:

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Intellectual_Savnot »

I am just asking what you guys in specific would do in this specific scenario... stop saying it's subjective
User avatar
Sculptor1
Posts: 7089
Joined: May 16th, 2019, 5:35 am

Re: Less than possible quality

Post by Sculptor1 »

Intellectual_Savnot wrote: April 17th, 2019, 7:13 am If we make a cup of tea with three bags of tea leaves, and make another serving with the same tea leaves, the second serving will be good enough to be considered one cup worth of flavor, but less good than the first cup.
If you make one cup with 3 bags then get them out quick. The second cup could be stronger or weaker depending on how long you leave them in.
best to make 3 cups from 3 bags.
What to do?
You have three bags of tea, lots of hot water, and a cup.
The philosophy at hand is, do we accept something if there is something of higher quality of the same type?
Any ideas are appreciated.
Put the bags in the water until the strength is perfect, then remove the bags and insulate the pot to keep the tea warm and use at leisure. If you use a thermos it can stay hot for hours
Post Reply

Return to “General Philosophy”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

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

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021