Does life have meaning?
From a scientific stance, I would say no. Life begins as a chemical reaction in a solution (water) and can be created in a lab. Science freely admits life is rare, but leaves thought of life being proof of the divine to the faiths of individuals.
From the religious perspective, maybe. Remember, the universe was an incredibly small, infinitely dense, singularity before the big bang started it's expansion. "Something" acted as a catalyst to start that event, which is still going on today, several billion years later. Think of it as a seed that was planted, the tree grew, and we are it's fruit. Who's to say that God was not the catalyst and we (or life in general) are not part of His grand design? These are questions only your faith can answer.
On an individual basis, absolutely. Whether you realize it or not, your every interaction with another person has an influence on that person's life. Think about it, their memories of you are your legacy. You have the power to make someone have a good/bad day, or given enough time, mold them into the person they will become. This also causes a "domino effect" where your actions toward someone often cause them to think or act a certain way toward someone else. That's pretty meaningful if you ask me.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
My Philosophy
I started taking an interest in philosophy a few months back, and find that I really enjoy it! Reading the works of Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Rene Descartes, and even the writings of Einstein, have not only kept my mind busy, but have also helped to make me see the world through new eyes. I've come to enjoy this quest for understanding so much, that I've even started writing my own philosophy. Below you will find what I have been working on so far. Feedback is welcome. Enjoy!
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1) It's good to forgive, but foolish to forget.
2) The thirst for knowledge can be temporarily satisfied, but never quenched.
3) If you must compromise who you are and pacify your desires to meet the approval of someone else, then their opinion of you does not matter, for if it did they would want you to be happy, and you can't be happy while being something you are not.
4) It's the little things in life that bring us joy, yet we often sacrifice those tiny things in order to gain larger rewards, who's novelty wears off far too quickly.
5) Most can learn information and repeat it on command, but to truly know something, one must first understand it. For all the wise learn, they find themselves asking more questions, and are left feeling humbled by the vast amount of knowledge that they still have yet to learn. There for: True Knowledge is understanding, and true wisdom is humbling.
6) If the wise understand that they still have a lot to learn, then only a fool would project himself as a 'know-it-all'
7) Is ignorance truly bliss, or does it merely offer us the illusion of happiness in it's simplicity? For while true wisdom is humbling, the art of discovery offers instant and lasting gratification.
(7A: Is ignorance truly bliss, or does it merely offer us the illusion of happiness in it's simplicity? I personally feel that it's better to be blissful about the things you know to be good, rather than to be "happy" going through life with your eyes closed. If you no longer find ignorance blissful, then that's a good thing. )
8) Faith should never be blindly followed. The faithful owe it to themselves to seek out knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the given topic, be it religion, science, politics, love or what have you, before they can truly accept the unknown.
9) The price one pays for thinking outside the box, is the initial awkwardness they feel relating with those still living inside it.
10) Being right or wrong, in the long run, isn't nearly as important as initially contemplating the outcome.
11) No one finds the answer without first asking the question.
12) Friendships are like houses. Not only do they need to be carefully selected and periodically maintained, but when one is demolished, you can't just lean boards against what remains and expect it to be as structurally sound as it once was. You must first make sure the foundation is still strong, then start relaying the bricks...one by one.
13) A smart man will learn from his own mistakes; a wise man will learn from the mistakes others make as well as his own.
14) Which is the greater evil: those who act out of malice, or the inaction of the righteous?
15) Life is full of both pleasure and pain, and while we may wish for more of one and less of the other, it's the combination of both that defines who we are. You would find yourself a much different person without one or the other.
16) Not all battles can be won and not all victories are deserved..
17) In order to be taught, one must first be willing to learn.
18) What better place to discuss philosophy than at the bar, where the consumption of alcohol makes everyone a philosopher.
19) Knowledge can be found everywhere, is often free, and is offered by all in one form or another...all one needs to do is look.
20) The only time drama has a positive outcome, is when it is applied to ones entertainment.
21) None are more wronged than the repeatedly offended, however when the situation is avoidable, the offended share part of the blame.
22) While your friends often mingle among your acquaintances, not all of your acquaintances are your friends.
23) The day I found philosophy was the day I realized I wasn't alone in my thoughts.
24) Vacations are meant as an escape from stress and obligation. It's best to not plan it's every detail, as this leads to the very things you are trying to escape from.
25) Stubborn, opinionated, and misinformed: Avoid debating with those who have all three of these traits, as even your victory will prove fruitless.
*************************************************************************************
1) It's good to forgive, but foolish to forget.
2) The thirst for knowledge can be temporarily satisfied, but never quenched.
3) If you must compromise who you are and pacify your desires to meet the approval of someone else, then their opinion of you does not matter, for if it did they would want you to be happy, and you can't be happy while being something you are not.
4) It's the little things in life that bring us joy, yet we often sacrifice those tiny things in order to gain larger rewards, who's novelty wears off far too quickly.
5) Most can learn information and repeat it on command, but to truly know something, one must first understand it. For all the wise learn, they find themselves asking more questions, and are left feeling humbled by the vast amount of knowledge that they still have yet to learn. There for: True Knowledge is understanding, and true wisdom is humbling.
6) If the wise understand that they still have a lot to learn, then only a fool would project himself as a 'know-it-all'
7) Is ignorance truly bliss, or does it merely offer us the illusion of happiness in it's simplicity? For while true wisdom is humbling, the art of discovery offers instant and lasting gratification.
(7A: Is ignorance truly bliss, or does it merely offer us the illusion of happiness in it's simplicity? I personally feel that it's better to be blissful about the things you know to be good, rather than to be "happy" going through life with your eyes closed. If you no longer find ignorance blissful, then that's a good thing. )
8) Faith should never be blindly followed. The faithful owe it to themselves to seek out knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the given topic, be it religion, science, politics, love or what have you, before they can truly accept the unknown.
9) The price one pays for thinking outside the box, is the initial awkwardness they feel relating with those still living inside it.
10) Being right or wrong, in the long run, isn't nearly as important as initially contemplating the outcome.
11) No one finds the answer without first asking the question.
12) Friendships are like houses. Not only do they need to be carefully selected and periodically maintained, but when one is demolished, you can't just lean boards against what remains and expect it to be as structurally sound as it once was. You must first make sure the foundation is still strong, then start relaying the bricks...one by one.
13) A smart man will learn from his own mistakes; a wise man will learn from the mistakes others make as well as his own.
14) Which is the greater evil: those who act out of malice, or the inaction of the righteous?
15) Life is full of both pleasure and pain, and while we may wish for more of one and less of the other, it's the combination of both that defines who we are. You would find yourself a much different person without one or the other.
16) Not all battles can be won and not all victories are deserved..
17) In order to be taught, one must first be willing to learn.
18) What better place to discuss philosophy than at the bar, where the consumption of alcohol makes everyone a philosopher.
19) Knowledge can be found everywhere, is often free, and is offered by all in one form or another...all one needs to do is look.
20) The only time drama has a positive outcome, is when it is applied to ones entertainment.
21) None are more wronged than the repeatedly offended, however when the situation is avoidable, the offended share part of the blame.
22) While your friends often mingle among your acquaintances, not all of your acquaintances are your friends.
23) The day I found philosophy was the day I realized I wasn't alone in my thoughts.
24) Vacations are meant as an escape from stress and obligation. It's best to not plan it's every detail, as this leads to the very things you are trying to escape from.
25) Stubborn, opinionated, and misinformed: Avoid debating with those who have all three of these traits, as even your victory will prove fruitless.
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