Is that why they feel so threatened by progress and change ? Are the words Change and Progressive just too much for their brain to to contemplate ?. This is what Wikipedia says ------------------------------------------------------- Conservatism Latin: conservare, "to preserve"[1] is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and opposes rapid change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism and seek a return to "the way things were."[2][3] The first established use of the term in a political context was by François-René de Chateaubriand in 1819, following the French Revolution.[4] The term has since been used to describe a wide range of views. According to Hailsham, a former chairman of the British Conservative Party, "Conservatism is not so much a philosophy as an attitude, a constant force, performing a timeless function in the development of a free society, and corresponding to a deep and permanent requirement of human nature itself".[5] Robert Eccleshall states, "It is the persistent image of society as a command structure in which the responsibilities of leadership can be exercised within the framework of a strong state manifested in divine-right royalism ... that distinguishes English conservatism from rival ideologies."[6]------------- Would conservatives feel more secure If we did not have a Democracy and an Emperor of a Republic instead ? OK Was it a Roman Republic or an Empire - not much difference I thought Wikipedia would soften my question a bit and add balance . I think it is a good definition . For those who do not like this aspect of my question I really dont know what to say . Have you actually read it ?
Answer: I think you answered your own question. Theyre not slow thinkers, but when it comes to politics, theyre minds just shut down, and they dont think at all. Some of the smartest people I know would be considered "conservative," but theyre so politically anal, that its almost impossible to talk to em about political stuff without risking an argument. Its kind of tough at a party. They like pat answers, and even if those pat answers dont make any sense at all, theyll still stick with them. Change always involves some kind of risk, almost by definition, and conservatives are very hesitant to take a chance - even if it means there wont be any improvement. Check this out: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/aug/13/usa.redbox Notice the year that this study was done - Cons cant blame this on Obama.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-06
A short prologue I wrote... Feedback?
I actually wrote this about 6 months ago because I was board, havent done anything more with it... wondered what people thought. FYI: It sucks I know, I was bottom of my class in English... Scraped a pass. Im only 16 so please go easy :P But no, seriously, let it all out :P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Black Light Keeper By George Edward Maier Prologue “Imagine a thunderstorm so beautiful that it could never have existed, a wasp sting so enjoyable that it comforted and eased the victim,” Dr. Groban paused for a moment, as if he were thinking whether or not it was right, or appropriate, to continue his speech along its current path. Patrick Groban had been planning this speech for some time, ever since he got the phone call from the head of philosophy at Warwick University, a Professor Loppian, asking him to give a one-off abstract lecture focusing upon his life experiences in the field. He was in Scotland at the time, examining the life of deer, trying to find connections between their behavioural patterns and find some philosophical conclusion about life and its many forms. A public speaking opportunity seldom manifest to Patrick, the general academic world had shrugged him off as a wild lunatic, a kook of the philosophical underworld and a mad man. His reputation had developed over some time for his outrageous experiments and continued urges to try out experiments that most found inhumane and wrong on a multitude of levels. Further to this they were put off by his claims of having out of body experiences and encounters of the third kind. ‘Crazy P, some called him behind his back. Patrick semi-reluctantly accepted the offer of giving a lecture and set about thinking what he was going to say. In the back of his mind he imagined Professor Loppian laughing about how hilarious the whole event would be. Getting on the phone to other leaders in the subject and inviting them down for a good laugh. Originally, Patrick had planned to talk of his early ideas, a bit of ‘light hearted, hard to believe truth as he put it, which, of course, they would all quietly dismiss as mad nonsense. He had almost finished compiling a full idea of what he was going to say, a good two months in advance of the lecture, when he got lost in a new occurrence. Suddenly, in the course of one rather ordinary day, his ambitions changed. It was ‘The Theory of Existence and Death, as he put it. It was a side project he had been working on behind closed doors for some years, never giving it too much thought, until this day, April the 16th, if Patrick remembered correctly, when things all snapped into place... Patrick took a deep breath, looking out at the lecture theatre full of eyes all glued upon him. He was going to carry on with his speech, it didnt matter if they believed him or not, what he had to say now was incredible, extraordinary and could potentially change the world forever... “I am going to tell you all a story. A true story,” he added, “of the day I discovered how it is possible to manipulate space time itself to make anything... anything,” he repeated, “ a rational possibility...” I just read it back and realised how lame it actually sounds :P It reminds me of a 1960 sci-fi type of thing that is so lame and unbelievable it almost makes you vomit : Hahaha
Answer: over all, i whole heartedly enjoyed this smidgen of literature. The stylized beginning of the passage mixed with the reminiscent direction it takes, makes this prologue both engaging and informational, setting good context. My negative feedback is short and minor. it does become a tad muddled as the passage progresses, appearing not as smooth as it could be. Also, watch for incidences where a word is used unnecessarily often, such as the word "experiments" in the third paragraph. Try using a different word the second time. But all in all, it is a solid piece of writing that i would like to see you develop. -RustyJames
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-06
What are you afraid that people are suspecting about you?
.............. and it is not true.... or is it ? : YA suggests I post it in Philosophy but Id rather not lol
Answer: i m 13 and dont know how to read and write
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-06
does anyone study buddhism?
my mum has started to study buddhism. Most people have a sterotypical view on it, but thats because they dont know what it is. there are two kinds; one is a religion where you worship that fat statue of a man thingy, and the other is a philosophy A way of living. My mum studies the philosophy. Basically, this type of buddhism is not seen as a religion. It has reformed seriously depressed people, druggies, alcholics and people that have had hard lives, into happy positive people. IT basically tries to tap you into thinking positively. they do this by chanting/meditating. You chant the words "Nam-mhoyo-renge-kyo" which means something about loving life or something like that. this is not a worship of any kind; its just basically letting you think and relax. I have to admit, my mum is a changed person. shes happy and calm and always smiles and laughs. shes also made more friends who are also buddhists, and i like them a lot too. people have actually said that buddhism has helped them beat cancer and other awful diseases. It makes you have a "i can defeat this," or an "i can do anything i set my mind to" attitude, and i like that. I dont know whether to take it up or not. I was wondering if anyone else that studies it could give me any expericences or opinions? PLEASE NO HATEFUL COMMENTS. if you are agaisnt buddhism or dont like it; then dont answer. cheers : x
Answer: Hi I just want to share my experience. My Mom & Grandma are Buddhist. I have been seeing that they chant Nam myoho renge kyo as a daily practice since I was a child. Just like youre saying, they are always positive attitude and they always pray for my happiness also. However, I really didnt want to practice because my view toward the religion was negative until I started to read book and study and fond out what this is about. I learned that Nichiren Buddhism teaches that every one of us without exception , already have unlimited potential , strength & courage to cope with every situations , compassion for others......Chanting is the way to bring force these best quality we have and we can apply it to daily life. I am happy to encounter this Buddhism too.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-06
Atheists: Are you dualists?
By "dualist" I mean that you believe in a this and a that, a me and a you, etc. This is a natural conclusion of the human experience and the product of the human brain. But some philosophies say that underlying this idea of separate existence is unity a singular source of all that is of which you are a part. This absolute existence is God itself. You are a part of God which is Absolute Existence, yet you deny it which only demonstrates ignorance of your true nature. Your senses report to you differences in the external world and you give name and form to it but is that reality? Reality to you and me becomes labeling name and form but is it true? What is true is the underlying nature of everything. What is true is the substance of what made all this come about. What is true is your ability to apply name and form to what you perceive. What is it? I propose that it is existence itself. Can you deny that existence has given you your abilities? Can you deny that existence gave you your sense of "I"? The fact that you can think and feel means that existence itself can think and feel and there is your evidence for God. My question asks whether you feel that existence is a myriad of separate existences. Are we different beings having separate existences having separate experiences or are we part of a whole and the various experiences are simply the whole having all of the experiences. Thanks for your input. sigh Please, an intelligent response
Answer: Im trying to figure out if this is M theory or not. Either way, how does a collective consciousness and existence prove the existence of a creator? I mean, youre using circular reasoning here, which is a logical fallacy. Your premise is that God is real, because we all have absolute existence, and exist with/as/together/whatever with him, but thats also your proof for your statement. Your argument for the validity of a statement, cannot be the statement itself. Circular reasoning is basically a more sophisticated way of saying, It is, because it is, if that were correct however, I could infer Unicorns are real, because unicorns are real. Do you not see the logical failure in that? You also say that I deny it, yet you dont prove that it exists, you make statements that my senses tell me about differences in the external world, yet at the same time, you dont prove that they do. Ive never felt anything without touching it, never heard a sound that didnt travel on air. Your idea is...very original and creative...yet very unsound. Its unsound because you propose no reason what so ever for this collective existence to be existing, you only propose that it does, for no reason, without any reason to think it does, either.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-05
Does this sound like a fare philosophy to you?
I think people should be allowed to do whatever the hell they want in life, without criticism and judgment from other people, as long as they are not hurting themselves or others. Do you agree? So If someone wants to live a totally different life style, without a career or family, and wants to go out and have fun all the time. As long as they arent hurting anyone. Who are you to criticize them and tell them they are wrong?
Answer: Okay three things wrong with your thesis 1 Who decides what is and isnt "harm"??? 2 People do not harm because they are ENCULTURATED. Being a part of any culture requires complex and subtle affiliations and conformity. Without enculturation people would HAVE NO MORALITY. 3 It is possible to diminish other peoples lives without doing anything harmful to them. Avoiding harm is not enough. We must generally conform.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-05
What books do you recommend that explain political philosophies in a simplified language?
I always want to learn more about political philosophy and science but found the language in the exact wording of the classics arcane and inaccessible. Suggestions?
Answer: Political Ideologies: An Introduction by Andrew Heywood Its an easy read and quite comprehensive My Intro to Am Nat Gov professor assigned it back in the day.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-05
How logical are your beliefs?
This is a little game from a philosophy website. You answer a series of questions about your religious beliefs, and it tells you how logically coherent your beliefs are. If it notices a logical contradiction in your answers, it points it out and explains it. Its pretty cool. http://www.philosophersnet.com/games/god.php Try it, no matter what your beliefs are, and answer with your results. Did anyone read the question? "Try it, no matter what your beliefs are, and answer with your results." Im looking for your results after taking the test, not your opinion.
Answer: No direct hits, no bullets bitten. Medal of Honor for logic- I has it.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-05
Atheists: Have you considered non-duality as evidence for God by whatever name?
Read "The Tao of Physics" by Fritjof Capra. The compatibilty of Eastern philosophy with modern science is amazing and if you have an open mind you may find that it is true. Mysticism, which overwhelmingly acknowledged the existence of God is found to be compatible with the findings of modern physics. It speaks of non-duality...the idea that we are One and there is nothing other than the One Absolute. Atheists, how do you believe there is no God yet at the same time science is pointing to it with every new discovery?
Answer: If you want to believe in some supreme being fine. Please do not pervert science to fit some need you have, because that is a fast trip back to dark ages. Science is based on provable facts or closest to using scientific method. Religion and mysticism deals with explaining the unexplainable for currant period it occurred. There have been some very insightful people throughout history. Some Eastern Mysticism came close to possibly getting it correct. If they had at the time the Hubble Telescope we might be communicating to each other from different planets, and if one period of enlightenment was chocked off by people using religion, and that is my main concern of mixing religion and science. For me each scientific discovery removes need for mysticism. Totally do not believe in the creation to give answers in the Bible, but agnostic when it comes to the cosmos. There is a reasonable understandable explanation for everything that happens in the natural world. Got to stop here before I start trying to force my belief system. Lets just enjoy what we know as fact and be blow away how each thing builds upon itself.
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-05
Can V for Vendettas "one inch" philosophy relate to religion?
n the law of nature it is true that we all sell ourselves out to the world from birth. Reactions and life changing issues often begin with other people we dont even know, never just ourselves. Whether its the government telling us who we can marry, what we can smoke, or what we should believe in or our bosses telling us when to come and leave work. But when it comes to religion, so many Christians say what is going to happen? What if you lived your whole life spitting on a so called "lie" to only die and find it was really true? They ask, is living your life the way you are and being able to say and speak without need of guidance, worth a eternity in hell? I think it is. Even if god is real, we atheists, agnostics, pantheists, etc...We had doubts while we were alive because God never bothered to show himself to us. Is life worth living if we really dont even believe in what were living for? Maybe thats another example of the "inch" every person is supposed to have somewhere inside of them. Yeah it sounds pretty sexual. I know.
Answer: The problem with people and religion and philosophy the whole world round is that people dont ask the right questions and assume WAY TO MUCH. It doesnt matter if someone does or doesnt believe in God or this religion or that, or if they just dont have any idea, the point is they all think the same. They all stand in wonder of who they are and what in the hell it is thats going on. What is reality? What is happening here, and ultimately, why is there something instead of nothing? Who is conscious of all this? If we dont believe in God, why should we believe in the self either? There is nothing to point at and say "I am that." There are only random things to point at. There is no seat in the body where you can say "thats where the self is." The self would more than likely just be the result of random neurons firing off and creating the illusion of a self that exists. If thats the case it doesnt matter what we call ourselves, Christians, Atheists, trees, or whatever. The believer, similarly, is scared to look at the perceiver. They want to buy the story hook line and sinker and swollow the pole b/c the only real fear more real than death is the fear that we all deep down know. The fear that we are nothingness. We were nothing when we were born, well be nothing when we die, and we are nothing right now. The question has never been "can we prove God exists?" the question is "can we prove we exist?"
Category: Philosophy; Date: 2010-08-05
