Lets Play Philosphy

[Cherie762]

I will post a question after 10 responces the next person posts a question Only one rule it has to be a philophy question.



1.   If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there does it still make a sound?

[Trialanderror]

1. I think, therefore I am.  

I believe it was neither Sokrates nor Plato but Descartes. Let me double-check...Phrase #2 got it reversed, at least that`s not what the famous guy said... Cogito ergo sum...duh, 9 years of Latin coming back to haunt me :)

[Cherie762]

ok heres one know its Socrates and Plato dont know which quote belongs to which ( I used to know LOL)


which is true;

1. I think,  therefore I am,
or
2. I am,  therefore I think

[Trialanderror]

True, Cherie, maybe those are basic human needs that you describe and it is only the extremes that are accepted or shunned depending on where you are.

[Cherie762]

Triallendor..speaks alot of truth  right and worn varies by culture and society...but in general...for ll humans Id say every culture holds some common ethics,,,murder is wrong..familys sticking together is right,,,taking care of your family is right,,,spiritual fullfillment be it what relgion is right,,seeking knowledge is right and , most agree stealing and lying are wrong so I believe in the most developed to the least developed societys there are some common threads= or beliefs systems..

[Trialanderror]

That`s a loaded question, PlateletGal.

Thoughts on morals and ethics mainly come up in the context of societies, so it depends on the political system, traditions and religion. Corrupt political systems will make sure that right and wrong is classified to benefit their leaders. Societies with mainly Shintoists may put emphasis on respecting nature, Christian societies may put more rules in place to guarantee their strength as a large group while Buddhism puts more emphasis on individual development which could mean less definition of right and wrong altogether. Communism and capitalism produce different sets of ideas. Children are cheap laborers in overpopulated countries but glorified miracles in countries with low birth rates and the laws for their protection differ accordingly. Traditions of defending family honor lets one man kill a family member who has seemingly brought disgrace on the family while in another society the same conflict has minor impact on the status of a family. And so on...

So in reality the "truth of right and wrong" is bent and shaped to the needs of a society. Now, I am some kind of hermit ... and to me "right" is what makes me and my kin survive while thoroughly respecting everyone else`s life and nature. Any question of right and wrong can be answered based on this, within myself.

We all wish there was a truth to "right and wrong", one that applies to all humankind. I think the smallest common denominator globally is the work of the human rights commission. All other rights-and-wrongs will likely forever be locally defined with the help of the Bible, the Kora`an, Sanskrit texts. Life would be easier if there had not been such a thing as globalization, eh? It could be nicely black and white...:)

[PlateletGal]

"What is good and what is bad or evil? What is moral? What is ethical? Who decides good and bad, right and wrong; and by what standard?"

[Trialanderror]

The falling tree in forest sound and the chicken or egg question always baffled me. To me no question: a sound is a sound wave created by something and it doesn`t matter if anyone listens in the forest, the sound waves are there. And the chicken must have come first, with or without God. The egg can only be the means to the goal to reproduce in the chicken-system. Just as we are part of the universe, I believe everything develops from the large systems into smaller aspects.

When I think of raising a child, often the saying comes to mind:
"The teacher appears when the student is ready" Which may be the equivalent of "The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it is open." Not a question, just an approach to lifelong learning.

[Melissa0116]

The chicken.  God created all living things.

[PrettyKitty1]

The Chicken!!! I believe in God.

[April2]

I say the chicken because God created all living things.

[Lonelymom]

which came first the chicken or the egg?

[Cherie762]

yes....read my new thread pay it forward.


I would hope one would get more joy in giving however it sure is nice to get a genuine gift from the heart like a card drawn by a child better than Hallmarks finest.

[ChitChatNine]

I've read almost every book that Khalil Gibran has written.  His most famous bok is The Prophet.  People really will never know what happened in his life to spark such wonderful writings, but they are certainly a collection that once read, will last a lifetime.

I think the majority of members at MedHelp get enormous joy giving to others and that's why so many of us have become friends.  We are of the like.  I wonder how many of us came to MedHelp seeking advice, and when we felt better stuck around to give advice.

But that ? is for another thread .. but philosophically speaking,

----------->    Is it better to give than receive?

C~

[Cherie762]

April that is a well thought out and great responce..see your a deep thinker.!!!

[April2]

Why else did people like Mother Teresa have such peace when she had so little? Because she was giving her all. It brought her joy. It gives us joy to give to others. I think we were hardwired to be like that.

[Cherie762]

Id say true,,giving of possesions  like money helps..but giving from your heart is a truer gift. I like random acts of kindness...and believe in karma what goes around comes around

[ChitChatNine]

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give" ...

Kahlil Gibran


PS:  not sure if it is a ? but it's a favorite quote of mine

[Cherie762]

they do dream my brother in law was born blind.he says he sees in his dreams   his concept of seeing I dont know I have learned alot being around him,He is very smart and cool.......

Ok somebody post any philosopy question they want...

[Melissa0116]

They do dream.  Anyone can dream as long as you have an imagination.  I would bet they dream about what it would be like to see and imagine what it would be like to see the sky, moon, stars, etc.  I would think that they probably have very vivid dreams.  

[HelpinUtah]

I believe blind people dream.  Perhaps there dreams might be different than a seeing person especially if they have never seen before.  How would they know what things look like.  But, just like in my dreams there are parts that are all fantasy and have no reality to them.  So, I say yes!

[April2]

I think I remember Helen Keller saying she dreamed so I'm going to say yes.

[PrettyKitty1]

Do blind people dream? I think they do but I got no logical explanation to support my answer!!!!! I like this thread.

[Cherie762]

Yes you should answer the question...this one I remember from philopsy class it can be lodgically debated from both sides yes if something falls it makes noise,but if no ones there to hear it is it rally a sound,,,thats the philosphy part...someone else can post the next question...I will change to a new question after between 7 or 10 responce/answers next person can post.


do blind people dream?

[HelpinUtah]

Just because nobody is there to hear the tree fall does not mean it doesn't make a noise.  We know that a tree does make a noise when it falls.  So for me, the answer is yes!