Does Philosophy actually any longer strive for arête, or only investigate in the abstract? [FoolQuest.com] seeks to bridge the abstract and the concrete, in an actual program of collaboration towards the creation of meaning by the fulfillment of intrinsic human needs. See what you think!
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.By the way, philosophy does not strive for arête; humans strive for arête, and philosophy is but one way to do so.
Rodatheist
Level 7
Nov 1, 2019
2
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man” Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 535 - c. 475 BCE).
This is as relevant today as it was two and a half centuries ago.
If this quote does not make one reflect, one needs to do some thinking.
If one does not like to think, one needs to do some growing up.
Philosophy is alive and well, thank you very much.
Rodatheist
Level 7
Nov 1, 2019
0
As a geologist this is the definition for arete that I am most familiar:
a·rête
/əˈrāt/
noun
noun: arête; plural noun: arêtes
a sharp mountain ridge.
Origin: early 19th century: from French, from Latin arista ‘ear of corn, fish bone, spine’.
[google.com],
but found this definition as well:
Arete (Greek: ἀρετή), in its basic sense, means "excellence of any kind". The term may also mean "moral virtue". In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential.
t1nick
Level 8
Oct 29, 2019
0
I too googled the term & said "huh?" to the dog.....
Suspicious cat is suspiciously suspicious....
For some reason, I am reminded of one my favorite lines from The Princess Bride:
"Life IS pain, Your Highness; anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something..."
LatentumCattus
Level 6
Oct 29, 2019
1
The practice of philosophy is a reflection of human observation. Always useful.
JacarC
Level 8
Oct 28, 2019
0
Philosophy began as the quest for right way of living ones best that entails or requires investigation of the world we live in, this gave rise to Natural Philosophy, that which today we call science. But that only begs all manner of questions as to more effective conduct of such investigation. Hence, the Philosophy of Science,
@AaronAgassi I repeat, eugenics as posited by the Third Reich....hardly a "best way"!
???? Who spoke of eugenics? What has that got to do with anything?
Science is a branch of philosophy, you know.
And, to answer the question, yes. It does.
Metahuman
Level 7
Oct 28, 2019
0
There is more than enough on that matter for a separate new topic.
Philosophy doesn't answer the questions but questions the answers. Round & round it goes.
Atheist3
Level 7
Oct 28, 2019
0
Typo: My question was meant to be directed towards Mofo1953
@Mb_ Sure, to a point.
Etymologically philosophy means love of wisdom, don't see anything wrong with loving and acquiring wisdom, but somehow it has become synonymous with mental masturbations.
Mofo1953
Level 9
Oct 28, 2019
0
There has always been this view among its detractors.
@AaronAgassi and they may be right because not being a detractor of philosophy, I can see what they are saying.
So, what precisely do you see, KKGator, except perhaps for plenty of bad philosophy, again nothing new.
@AaronAgassi why don't you ask KKGator?
Not much of a philosophy fan.
I don't think most of them have opinions (which is all it really is) that
are any more or less valid than my own.
KKGator
Level 9
Oct 28, 2019
3
Materialism = Atheism 27 centuries of reality philosophy....all else is bullshit gibberish
I am hoping that my work might be of interest. If the inception an actual program of collaboration towards the creation of meaning by the fulfillment of intrinsic human needs. might pique your curiosity, then set your browser to: [FoolQuest.com]
AaronAgassi
Level 4
Oct 28, 2019
0
Philosophy has always been about the abstract...meaning, all in the heads of people with far too much time on their hands, who take themselves far too seriously, IMO!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Oct 28, 2019
3
Not true. Philosophy began as the quest for right way of living ones best that entails or requires investigation of the world we live in, this gave rise to Natural Philosophy, that which today we call science. Know more at: [FoolQuest.com]
@AaronAgassi I tried reading the above, but it isn't even good Emglish, "sentences" without verbs for example, crappy punctuation, enough underlining to drive me crazy, and, the "best" part, about 90% multi-syllabic words when simpler ones would be more precise, and clearer. In fact, everything I find stupid & pathetic about "philosophy"!
@AnneWimsey, let me try to break it down for you: Philosophy began as the quest for right way of living ones best. Not withstanding love of knowledge for its own sake, it was the aforesaid endeavor, raising all manner of questions of necessary background information, that motivated investigation of the world we live in. And that is what gave rise to Natural Philosophy, that which today we call science.
@AaronAgassi horsefeathers! Archimedes!
@Mb_Man yeah, I am just stubborn that way.......
@Mb_Man sometimes it is...after my stroke (chiropractor severed one of my vertebral arteries) I was expected to live out my life in a nursing home. Here I am, at 71, maintaining/upgrading my home & yard, traveling in my tiny RV, being 6th-tterm President of a 100-member social club, etc. ........stubborn, baby!
@Mb_Man because I actually died & learned what is important in life? And reject mental masturbation? Oookkkaaaayyyyy........
Why is the question either/or? The first part of the question assumes the aim of philosophy has always been aimed at the "best" or "finest" definition/determination; the ~or~ assumes the alternative is belly-button gazing.
Can a philosophy be neither arête nor abstract and still hold value? From my point of view, there is nothing better than dozing in a sunbeam, then a light snack.
LatentumCattus
Level 6
Oct 28, 2019
2
I said nothing about navel gazing.
Certainly, philosophies that remain relevant, have rejected perfectionism.
@AaronAgassi LOL, that's true, though I used the word "assumes". You know, as in a presumption, an insinuation, an intimation, a foregone conclusion, even.
Actually, the OP said nothing, really. Sounded kinda salesy to this Cattus.
@LatentumCattus, I insinuated nothing. Your inference is your own.
@AaronAgassi Aaaahhhh. So, it's on me that I don't get the point. Hey, how much kibble do I need to spend to become an Aaronologist? Is there a secret handshake involved? If so, I'm out of luck - no opposable thumbs...
If you don't understand, then pick apart ant specific ambiguity or just pose a question.
@AaronAgassi I think I just asked two question in my post above. Maybe it was the question mark that confused you.
I love rhetoric and sophistry!
I think it does. Jordan Peterson aimed his philosophy at improving lives. I'm currently watching John Vervaeke's YT lectures on 'awakening from the meaning crisis' and they too are practical.
brentan
Level 8
Oct 28, 2019
0
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