On Philosophy
Posted by Kyran Luhrs on November 6, 2009
phi·los·o·phy
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n. pl. phi·los·o·phies
1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.
3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.
4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.
5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.
6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.
8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.
We all practice philosophy everyday. Every single time you make up your mind on some subject, you and practicing philosophy. Every time you vote, you practice philosophy. Every time you think, you practice philosophy. Yet, the art of philosophy is disappearing. Can you defend your beliefs? Do you have support for them? Or have you just taken the information that was spit out to you by the people around you at face value?
Think about it. What are your views on life? What do you believe? What is your rock upon which your entire thought process operates? What is YOUR philosophy?
Once you think of it, please, talk to someone who does not share that philosophy. If you put your support in God, talk to an atheist. If you are pro-choice, talk to a pro-lifer. If you think the world is round, find someone who disagrees. And when I say talk, I really mean listen to them. Why do they hold that opinion? No matter how sure you are of what you believe, there exists someone who thinks you are wrong. Why?
Why does someone believe in God? Why does someone believe that there is no God? One of these beliefs must be the true one, right?
Well, why do you think that you have the right answer?
I ask this question, not because I want to start a flame-war, not because I want to tell people that they are right or wrong, but because I want to get people to think about what right and wrong is.
You see, I have no true beliefs. I can argue any side of an argument, and not lose.
No, I am not saying I am smarter than everybody else, nor am I claiming that I can win any argument that is presented.
What I am saying is that there are flaws in every belief.
The atheist and the believer are both just as right as the other, for both types of beliefs have flaws that even the smartest human cannot possibly solve.
Yet… people seem to not know this. And that is whats wrong with the world today.
No one listens to the other side anymore. People just blindly shout the same information over and over, never taking time to listen to responses. No ones stops and questions what they believe. Questioning is not something to be afraid of, nor is it a sign of weakness. it is something that if used correctly, can strengthen a belief.
So this is what I want you to do.
If you believe in God, try to dis-prove his existence.
If you don’t believe in God, try to prove that he exists.
If you think homosexuals should not marry, come up with reasons that they should.
If you think that they should marry, try to come up with reasons that they shouldn’t.
If you think that you are right, try to figure out why you are wrong.
If you can’t, if you cannot find any reason or fact or idea of why you may be wrong, then you are ignorant.
Not to be offensive, but you are.
If there were no reasons for the other side, where did the other side come from?
And if you need help, talk to the other side.
Ask them why they are right.
Ask them why you are wrong.
And they will give you plenty of reasons.
Take those reasons, and research them. Do a little work, take a little time to learn about the other side.
If you do, I guarantee you will lean a little something. Maybe even start to see their side.
A person who is enlightened is not the one who has all the answers,
the are the ones with all the questions.
–Kyran Luhrs, Founder of The Ivory Tower
