Philosophy Topics, any idea's?

[Glickman]

Its for model congress, i already have a few ones about math and the generic "why...." ones, so anyone have any good topic to debate on philosophy?

[Boski51]

Its for model congress, i already have a few ones about math and the generic "why...." ones, so anyone have any good topic to debate on philosophy?

what will they let you debate?

How bout the idea of relative truth? Or what about cultural progressiveism or secular humanism?

[slade]

argue that plato was an idiot. Trust me, its not too hard.

[Kai]

I've got a masters in philosophy, so you can pm me with any questions.

[Target Practice]

argue that plato was an idiot. Trust me, its not too hard.

Yeah, a complete moron. That's why we still study his writings, right?

[Maksimus54]

Just because you still read his writings doesn't mean he was right. In Psychology we still read what Freud had to say, and he most of what he had to say was found out to be completely false or based on nothing scientific. Arguing with a professors point of view may not be a good idea, but it will usually get you to think very creatively.

[Target Practice]

Just because you still read his writings doesn't mean he was right. In Psychology we still read what Freud had to say, and he most of what he had to say was found out to be completely false or based on nothing scientific. Arguing with a professors point of view may not be a good idea, but it will usually get you to think very creatively.

Freudian development synchs up perfectly with Jungian and social learning development theories.

Some of his work was that of a crackpot, but most of it is perfectly accepted through much testing and observation.

[SCpoloRicker]

Freud is still solid, except for where he got... uh.. too Freudian.

For the Philosophy discussion: what constitutes 'person-ness' and can a machine ever attain 'person-ness'. Theres reams of Sci-Fi on the topic. See Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep by Dick and Friday, TMiaHM, I Will Fear No Evil by Heinlein for starters.

I've got more if you need it.

[rkjunior303]

"What came first: The Chicken or the Egg"

[slade]

Yeah, a complete moron. That's why we still study his writings, right?

well we all are still reading the threads on AO, arent we?

actually, i think there was a certain period a long time ago where there was a resurgance of interest in his work, and without that, it would have just died off. Also Plato was one of the first philosophers (after socrates) to think differently than the sophists and the previous philosophers, and he recorded what socrates said and did. He was important to the development of later philosophy, although i hate almost everything he says for various reasons. Something does not have to be right to be studied. I mean, think of the theologists

[Willystyle21]

Yep, lets study Freud. A certified nutjob. Been proven that everyone who gets into Psychology does it for their own warped heads. Freud=perfect case. Really why take advice from someone that lusted after young boys.

Philosophy though. Just ask "why ask why?" What revelance will it ever have. We cannot begin to understand the reasons things happen. Just another religion basically. People create things to answer questions. Lets call that flash of light, lightning and the boom, thunder and say the creator is pissed at us.

[Boski51]

Yep, lets study Freud. A certified nutjob. Been proven that everyone who gets into Psychology does it for their own warped heads. Freud=perfect case. Really why take advice from someone that lusted after young boys.

Philosophy though. Just ask "why ask why?" What revelance will it ever have. We cannot begin to understand the reasons things happen. Just another religion basically. People create things to answer questions. Lets call that flash of light, lightning and the boom, thunder and say the creator is pissed at us.

So are you saying "why bother, cuz we will never be able to figure anything out, so why bother?"

[slade]

So are you saying "why bother, cuz we will never be able to figure anything out, so why bother?"

There have been so many philosophers over thousands of years, and still no one knows "The Meaning Of Life". no one knows why we're here, what we're supposed to be doing with our lives. If you spend your life searching for the meaning of life, you will most likely fail, like everyone else. even if you succeed, youve already wasted your life searching for the answer, and thus cannot fulfil your purpose. unless the meaning of life is to become a philosopher. in which case you should buy a lottery ticket, because youre pretty damn lucky.

[Boski51]

There have been so many philosophers over thousands of years, and still no one knows "The Meaning Of Life". no one knows why we're here, what we're supposed to be doing with our lives. If you spend your life searching for the meaning of life, you will most likely fail, like everyone else. even if you succeed, youve already wasted your life searching for the answer, and thus cannot fulfil your purpose. unless the meaning of life is to become a philosopher. in which case you should buy a lottery ticket, because youre pretty damn lucky.

Wow, I feel special then, cuz I KNOW what the meaning of life is and it only took me 39 years.

Don't bother asking what it is, cuz you wont like the answer. Just read a Purpose Drive Life.

[Glickman]

If you spend your life searching for the meaning of life, you will most likely fail, like everyone else. even if you succeed, youve already wasted your life searching for the answer, and thus cannot fulfil your purpose.

yes while it does relate to the "happiness" paradox (which is one of my topics i have written down) that you cannot be happy as u try to achieve it

but.


one could waste their life searching for a perfect blossom. a pure waste of time.

yet it would not be a waste of time.