[Axel19]

Why oh why do I always become obsessed with the most disturbing of philosophies. It's taken me three years to come to terms with the uncertainties and subjectivism of the Cartesian paradigm, realising that it changed nothing really.
Then the other day I read a brief description of Derrida's deconstructionism. It had me terrified. For the past three days I've been utterly fixated on the notion. I wont bother to explain it, needless to say that it seems to call into question one's most fundamental assumptions about reality. I've been frantically flicking through books on the subject, terrified as I felt my world disintegrating whilst I tried to comprehend the idea.
Needless to say that the notion is largely nonsensical and mystificatory, it isn't one that can be taken seriously by analytic philosophy, and was originally concieved as a form literary analysis. But this is a tale that is all too familiar for me. I really must question why I am studying philosophy. It seems to be a way of affirming my sanity, and the stability of my world, rather than an honest intellectual pursuit. I can not rest till I have devoured every esoteric theory on the fundamentals of existence, and even then I shall return to the same questions again and again, till I finally lose my sanity.

 

[Scattered]

I think the idea is to try to lie to yourself. We live in a world of bullshit. Choose to believe the bullshit thats most beneficial to your functioning as a human being.

 

[misterjxpct]

Sounds like you need to counterbalance that stuff with something more integrating. Western philosophy reflects the split between mind and body that is so characteristic of western man, and of mental illness--especially DP. And Descartes is especially dualistic--hence the term "Cartesian dualism". Studying that stuff can help one to see that split and to see the dualistic thinking of the western mind. But I don't think it helps one understand one's own nature, consciousness, which is the real function of philosophy, not the intellectual exercise it so often is. And I'm speaking as a former philo minor (who regrets not having made it his major).

I was fortunate to be able in college to take a course in Existentialism and Phenomenology from a man who is probably one of the greatest living philosophers, Peter Koestenbaum. If you want to read the work of someone who is both thoroughly knowledgable about the history of philosophy and a real, practicing philosopher who can help one to gain insight into the nature of one's own existence and to integrate that knowledge and apply it to one's life, I'd recommend his books. Try "The New Image of the Person". "Managing Anxiety" is also good. You can get them on Amazon.

 

[bright23]

I highly recommend Monty Python, The Three Stooges and an ample dose of Bill Hicks. All encompasing and to-the-point.

Of course you can balance all of this off with anything directed by Werner Herzog.

 

[Scattered]

Heaven is in a cow's ass.

 

[misterjxpct]

Geez, you people are so serious. Lighten up, okay? :roll:

 

[terri*]

I agree with the three people that posted above me.

Holy hell, if I thought like that I'd scare the sh&t out of myself and end up dp'd !!! :shock:

Really, I know it's all for higher education, Axel, but maybe it ain't for
you.

Come back to earth with us regular type people who think big thoughts like -

chocolate or vanilla ? hmmmm....I could wonder about that for
hours. :wink:

 

[misterjxpct]

I guess I'd better make it clear that the third and sixth posts are from the same person (me).

The second of the posts
was
something
resembling
a
joke
.

 

[terri*]

well, of course it was, misterj. that's why it was funny.

Axel, I hope you know I'm just razzing your serious side.

 

[Martinelv]

I think the idea is to try to lie to yourself. We live in a world of bullshit. Choose to believe the bullshit thats most beneficial to your functioning as a human being.

It's funny because it's true. People who don't delude themselves into thinking that the world is, generally, a pile of turd, are either in jail, religious, an alcoholic, or in a mental institution. At the very best, you can be rich enough to be a professional eccentric.

But, like me, if you're not prone to addiction, too cowardly to be in jail, not quite mad enough to be in a mental instituation, not particually religious (!) and definately not rich enough to be a professional eccentric, then you're totally screwed. I guarantee it - if you are none of these things and have a modicum of intelligence, you'll spend the rest of your life as a miserable neurotic. Just..........like...........me.

Happy days.