Anyway, this picture is interesting. I think it sort of reflects on different generations of "thinkers".
Philosophy is pretty arbitrary - you can take meaning from loads of different sources, even from an East Coast rapper extraordinaire like Lil Jon.
I don't think Philosophy is always about considering deep and complicated texts by famous philosophers. Rather, Philosophy can be found in everyday life, even in a single word.
Taking out Lil Jon's part from this photograph. It shows the journey of western philosophers starting with general and ending up with really specific questions. And I agree with Gabriel's last comment that Philosophy does not have to be about deep thinking. Rather, it can be found in our day to day life.
This is a cute picture! I am intrigued to see what answers to these questions have surfaced, and what new questions have been derived through the changes in each generation?
Even though we see these men as historical or recent philosophers, the truth of it is that everyone is a philosopher... even Lil Jon. The questions "why?" and "what?" have been asked by generations throughout history and in individual lifetimes. I think we can value from trying to answer these questions, and find our own meaning within them. Nevertheless, Bertrand Russell describes it perfectly when he says that philosophy is knowledge for the sake of having knowledge. (Don't quot me exactly on the wording). These questions are just streams of progression in human evolution.
Can you please explain what makes Aristotle a philosopher? If we start questioning everything we're gonna end up with the paradoxes Descartes got stuck in.
I think what little john is trying too say is "What"? he could be trying to ask the question of life the universe and everything. Or the question of "what is time, does it exist in space or other planets?" or he could be trying to figure out what the true state of nothingness is and argueing Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness: a Phenomenological Essay on Ontology. Or he could be shouting WHAT!? becasuse he can't hear anything over the loud music. i wouldnt know unfortunetly im not a fan of lil jon's philosophy
This is indisputably the most pressing question of our time. No doubt it will inflame some and inspire others. But, what I think the question underneath whether or not Lil' Jon is a philosopher rests solely in the true definition of a philosopher.
Lil' Jon's favourite phraise is "What?", and if philosophy means the "study of wisdom", and if it normally entails the acquisition for the simple sake of a love for knowledge, then why is it that Jon's question is immediately discounted?
What is more profound than "What"?
What is philosophy? What is a philosopher? What makes you more a philosopher than Lil' Jon?
It was actually fuckyeah4chan.tumblr.com, but I do agree with you on many levels.
I'm sure people considered "great philsophers" by today's standards were made fun of all the time and often not taken seriously. Think about Socrates: he was considered a rambling idiot and downright insane, yet today we consider him to be one of the most profound thinkers of all time. Lil John may not have a PhD in philosophy but he does raise a point.
"What?" What (about)? What (if)? What (not)?
By only using one word you are expanding your horizons: not only are you omitting limitations, you are creating a whole new realm of interpretation. I blieve that despite his lack of quantity, the quality of what he is trying to portray (or what he isn't) is truly insightful.
I disagree if we keep asking "What?" Then Do we really have any knowledge at all? I think we just begin questioning and questioning things until they become more and more abstract. This is exactly where Descartes failed, because once we start questioning everything then do we have any knowledge at all?
That's an interesting point that Lil Jon might be seen as Socrates once was. I think this picture shows how different "philosophers" think and what they have asked. Lil Jon's "what?" can be seen as a question that is open to countless possibilities. It is possible that some don't view Lil Jon as a philosopher just as Meletus did not see Socrates as a philosopher, but rather tried to make him out to be a crazy corrupter of the youth.
I disagree with the idea that philosophy has to come from great or recognized people.
Like in the Simon and Garfunkel song the sound of silence they sing " The words of the Prophets are written on the subway walls"
Culturally we are lead to believe that it is people like prophets and philosophers that hold wisdom and important concepts. But it is people of everyday life (ones who ride the subway/write on walls)that also have important and interesting things to say, as well.
Bertrand Russell discusses different aspects of philosophy and the need for philosophy, we should put aways our bias or prejudice and Of course there are many philosophers like you and I can be philosophers one day too. We should not judege right and wrong and we should be nonjudgemental. After completing this course, we should leave with non judgemental perception about this class thats the only way we can explore philosophy
I believe we can argue in favor of Lil' Jon being a philosopher, since as Xinrui said, the word 'what' can entail many meanings. And we can't limit ourselves to saying who and what are more meaningful in the long run, because everyone has different questions they desire to be answered.
But, the picture itself could also be showing how our idea of philosophy is dying in a sense and the boundaries we're pushing are far more fixed than they were before. If we've completely isolated our thinking to a mere word, what else can that leave us with? There is only so far we can push things.
With the above, it shows how Bertrand was trying to figure out what 'it' in itself was; and although that may open many doors, it also only allows you to take one path of many roads.
I also think this picture shows the "truth" of philosophy, because as Bertrand Russell says, there are no ascertainable truths or definite answers in philosophy. As shown in this picture, we still are asking questions, and each question is still left to interpretation.
I can tell someone likes StumbleUpon...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this picture is interesting. I think it sort of reflects on different generations of "thinkers".
Philosophy is pretty arbitrary - you can take meaning from loads of different sources, even from an East Coast rapper extraordinaire like Lil Jon.
I don't think Philosophy is always about considering deep and complicated texts by famous philosophers. Rather, Philosophy can be found in everyday life, even in a single word.
Taking out Lil Jon's part from this photograph. It shows the journey of western philosophers starting with general and ending up with really specific questions. And I agree with Gabriel's last comment that Philosophy does not have to be about deep thinking. Rather, it can be found in our day to day life.
ReplyDeleteThis is a cute picture!
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued to see what answers to these questions have surfaced, and what new questions have been derived through the changes in each generation?
Even though we see these men as historical or recent philosophers, the truth of it is that everyone is a philosopher... even Lil Jon. The questions "why?" and "what?" have been asked by generations throughout history and in individual lifetimes. I think we can value from trying to answer these questions, and find our own meaning within them. Nevertheless, Bertrand Russell describes it perfectly when he says that philosophy is knowledge for the sake of having knowledge. (Don't quot me exactly on the wording).
These questions are just streams of progression in human evolution.
Ok, can you guys please explain what makes Lil Jon a philosopher?
ReplyDeleteCan you please explain what makes Aristotle a philosopher? If we start questioning everything we're gonna end up with the paradoxes Descartes got stuck in.
ReplyDeleteI think what little john is trying too say is "What"? he could be trying to ask the question of life the universe and everything. Or the question of "what is time, does it exist in space or other planets?" or he could be trying to figure out what the true state of nothingness is and argueing Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness: a Phenomenological Essay on Ontology. Or he could be shouting WHAT!? becasuse he can't hear anything over the loud music. i wouldnt know unfortunetly im not a fan of lil jon's philosophy
ReplyDelete*with a bit of sarcasim*
This is indisputably the most pressing question of our time. No doubt it will inflame some and inspire others. But, what I think the question underneath whether or not Lil' Jon is a philosopher rests solely in the true definition of a philosopher.
ReplyDeleteLil' Jon's favourite phraise is "What?", and if philosophy means the "study of wisdom", and if it normally entails the acquisition for the simple sake of a love for knowledge, then why is it that Jon's question is immediately discounted?
What is more profound than "What"?
What is philosophy?
What is a philosopher?
What makes you more a philosopher than Lil' Jon?
It was actually fuckyeah4chan.tumblr.com, but I do agree with you on many levels.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure people considered "great philsophers" by today's standards were made fun of all the time and often not taken seriously. Think about Socrates: he was considered a rambling idiot and downright insane, yet today we consider him to be one of the most profound thinkers of all time. Lil John may not have a PhD in philosophy but he does raise a point.
"What?"
What (about)?
What (if)?
What (not)?
By only using one word you are expanding your horizons: not only are you omitting limitations, you are creating a whole new realm of interpretation. I blieve that despite his lack of quantity, the quality of what he is trying to portray (or what he isn't) is truly insightful.
you = Gabe
ReplyDeleterule #1 and #2, xinrui.
ReplyDeleteI disagree if we keep asking "What?" Then Do we really have any knowledge at all? I think we just begin questioning and questioning things until they become more and more abstract. This is exactly where Descartes failed, because once we start questioning everything then do we have any knowledge at all?
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting point that Lil Jon might be seen as Socrates once was. I think this picture shows how different "philosophers" think and what they have asked. Lil Jon's "what?" can be seen as a question that is open to countless possibilities. It is possible that some don't view Lil Jon as a philosopher just as Meletus did not see Socrates as a philosopher, but rather tried to make him out to be a crazy corrupter of the youth.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Gabriel said.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the idea that philosophy has to come from great or recognized people.
Like in the Simon and Garfunkel song the sound of silence they sing " The words of the Prophets are written on the subway walls"
Culturally we are lead to believe that it is people like prophets and philosophers that hold wisdom and important concepts. But it is people of everyday life (ones who ride the subway/write on walls)that also have important and interesting things to say, as well.
Bertrand Russell discusses different aspects of philosophy and the need for philosophy, we should put aways our bias or prejudice and Of course there are many philosophers like you and I can be philosophers one day too. We should not judege right and wrong and we should be nonjudgemental. After completing this course, we should leave with non judgemental perception about this class thats the only way we can explore philosophy
ReplyDeleteI think this is just funny to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI believe we can argue in favor of Lil' Jon being a philosopher, since as Xinrui said, the word 'what' can entail many meanings. And we can't limit ourselves to saying who and what are more meaningful in the long run, because everyone has different questions they desire to be answered.
But, the picture itself could also be showing how our idea of philosophy is dying in a sense and the boundaries we're pushing are far more fixed than they were before. If we've completely isolated our thinking to a mere word, what else can that leave us with? There is only so far we can push things.
With the above, it shows how Bertrand was trying to figure out what 'it' in itself was; and although that may open many doors, it also only allows you to take one path of many roads.
I also think this picture shows the "truth" of philosophy, because as Bertrand Russell says, there are no ascertainable truths or definite answers in philosophy. As shown in this picture, we still are asking questions, and each question is still left to interpretation.
ReplyDelete