Everyone READ: Favorite Philosophy

An open discussion on philosophy in general

Published on January 26, 2004 By TARSIER In Philosophy

I have been wondering for a while about other people's thoughts on philosophy and philosophers and phillosophies. Please Respond with your favorite of any of those categories, what impressed you about your choice, and why. I think my favorite philosophy to learn about is Stoicism, the ancient Roman philosophy on trying to better oneself and believing in a greater power. PLEASE POST, THIS WILL BE VERY INTERESTING!!!

Comments

Wahkonta Anathema

on Jan 27, 2004

I was struck by the writings of Ayn Rand and her 'objectivist' philosophy. She uses as axiom, "Existence Exists". This is about as concise as one can get. The work then develops into a refutation of 'collectivism' in any of its' variants, and celebrates the idea that there is no such thing as a collective mind and any one can be a majority of one. Her refutation of the commonly used words 'selfish' and 'selfless' is still resounding in readers for and against her theses to this day.
I also was very impressed with Kierkegaard and his hopelessly romantic vision of our species. Although I may not follow his view of God, he believes in such and this sits well with me. Others I enjoyed were Wilhelm Reich, who is not listed amongs great philosophers yet is the only mortal mentioned in the introduction to the 'Necronomicon' for his work. I am soul-brother with Itzhak Bentov, who had the courage to eat a ham sandwich on the passover to KNOW what was true, also enjoying the distinction of being kicked out of school in kindergarten.
Of course, I am also linked spiritually with Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau. Jesus did a pretty good job and I list him as the most significant revolutionary of all time, without regard to his divinity being necessary. My mind is filled with only warm thoughts as I recall these works. I thank you for asking. I think I'll do some reading from their texts again, now that I think of it.

Wahkonta Anathema

on Jan 27, 2004

One exchange between Emerson and Thoreau occurred as Emerson came to visit Thoreau upon learning he'd gone to jail, rather than pay the Ordered Church tax. Emerson looked in through the bars and asked, "What are you doing in there?" To which Thoreau replied, "What are you doing out there?" Love it.

Randy Spire

on Feb 01, 2004

there is a great article in the current issue of harpers magazine on evil, an alternate perspective on the the history of philosophy. definitely worth a read, though not online yet.

Lisa Coberly

on Feb 01, 2004

"An unexamined life is not worth living." -- What is good and what is bad and who decides?? I guess realizing that I don't know is half the battle.

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