A breif bounce through the problem domain of philosophy, by way of Russell, by way of me. Hoozah. Etc. By the end of it you’ll sort of know what epistemology is. Hope you like it.
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I give some commentary on the introduction to Lord Russell’s “The History of Western Philosophy.” I am rather pressed for time as my work schedule has me waking up at one AM; and although it’s a Saturday I must make it to the pub for reasons of sanity. As such I’ll definitely be revisting the introduction in more detail. So please take everything said here with a huge grain of salt. There is quite a lot of opinion.
Apologies for my sniffling and mushed words as I am recovering from a cold.
I wouldn’t have uploaded at all had I had the time to do a second take. But I’m frankly tired of seeing my website sit stagnant. So here’s my best effort and I hope you enjoy.
Topics
I) Russell’s definition of philosophy
II) Russell’s philosophical landscape – Greece, Catholicism, etc.
III) Russell on Byzantium and in my estimation by extention Russell on Orthodoxy and where in my opinion he might be wrong in his conceptions
This topic has a lot of peripheries like the political interplay of Catholicism and Protestantism and the development of man’s sense of duty to God over the state. There are so many caveats to this and so many philosophical implications that it takes up the rest of the video and I’ve barely scratched the surface.
IV) The importance of Liberalism as a balancing force between disciplinarian ossification and hyperindividualism. That importance being in my opinion the reason for studying philosophy.
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So, I stumbled across the Shindo Renmei. An interesting group that sprang out of an interesting set of circumstances. It is a peculiarity in the truest sense of the word. Absolutely dependent on the specifics of its time and place.
That is the case with any bit of history.
So why study it?
The popular answer is so that we do not repeat it.
I see no reason to be contrarian. But I also see no reason for such narrow apologetics.
I think the main reason to study history is that it is a gold mine of catalysts and ideas. I think this is the main reason because it is so much more fertile. And also because the wise fear of repeating history is often hijacked by this or that pundit to cherry-pick examples that ‘prove’ why this or that is going to be catastrophic. Or more colloquially, “You’re just like a HitlerStalinTerrorist.”
I think it’s possible to extend this notion even further. This ‘mine’ is perhaps the ultimate case of art for arts sake. Art here being any endeavor including science and philosophy.
Art…or ‘well informed doodling’ should practiced precisely because practice begets art. There needs be no other reason. No harried seeking of supporting themes, or grants, or panty parting guitar solos but simply doing for doings sake.
So, go forth and study for no reason whatsoever.
In so doing I guarantee you’ll find one.
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You see this ‘get in touch with your feelings thing’ everywhere. From cheesy romantic comedies to academic journals. It’s been all the rage for decades yet the demographic most at risk for depression and suicide seems to be having a tougher time. Isn’t there some sort of sayin’ about the definition of insanity?
TL;DR version of the Video
Emo Dudes – Men Face Depression and Suicide at High Rates – Dumb Reasons Given By Shrinks and your nutty Aunt Gertrude
1) They are not comfortable with being vulnerable.
– Why are normal human emotions considered vulnerability and couched in agency robbing terms? Terms that carry a stigma. Especially when applied to men by either sex. This is almost a subtle subconscious dominance game played by academics and well meaning Oprah viewers.
2) Mechanization has led to the loss of jobs ergo depression sets in.
– Definitely a factor. But, is it the expectation to have a lucrative job rather than doing useful or artistic things that’s more the cause? And isn’t there a wider psychological consequence to mechanization via giving people a lot less to do. Thus allowing for lethargy and stagnation to increase. Especially in light of the dim view the culture has of intellectual rigor, high art, and craftsmanship for it’s own sake rather than a bottom line to be “SUCCESSFUL.”
3) We need to “update masculinity” to solve the problem of male suicide.
So the answer to a really complex sociological problem is merely changing the packaging on an semi-arbitrary concept?
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Stuff and things.
1) Chocolate n Chores
2) Wine Before Bed vs Exercise Before Bed
3) Super Lazy Recall of some Japanese History I recently learned
4) I mention Bob Lazar
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When looking for a flow state we immediately want to make drastic changes to our environment. Or to run to a totally different environment. Why is that?
In my teenage and early twenties years this desire manifested itself as rather unworkable visions of hoboing around the states. Living in forests. Or some remote set of cheap apartments whose antique spartan interiors would be the catalyst for lots of work.
Now approaching thirty I’ve come to view this as a form of procrastination.
That being said I don’t think this is necessarily just an adolescent phase.
Work is transformation and whether internal or external so is travel. These things are likely associated on a subconscious level. So it’s no wonder that folks of all ages crave pilgrimages of various stripes.
The idea of sequestering is not without merit. There’s a lot to be said with laying back after chopping up some fuel and watching the evening moon bob between swaying trees. It is a superb catalyst for creativity and flow states.
But for most folks camping trips are vacations. Yes, if you’re dedicated to being a crazy forest dwelling artist then it can become your life. But of course you now run the risk of the new normal. Perhaps getting over the lack of novelty is part of the art of longer journeys.
But…if that’s the case why not simply get over the lack of novelty right now and pull out that notebook?
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A wee history and idea medley regarding the somewhat obscure Shindo Renmei, ‘McNamara’s Morons, and the question of to what degree is Psychology a science.
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…but seriously I think this goofy thought might contain some kernels of truth. Tell me what ya think.
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A brief discussion on the difficulties of managing interest and work in a variety of outputs. Here I’ll discuss single discipline focus vs the more ‘renaissance man’ approach and ask questions like should you schedule poetry?
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