Braincleaning: my scatterbrained responseragnar1787October 15 2006, 23:12:44 UTC
You're coming through loud and clear!
I think the reading of philosophy can go either way. I feel that. If a reader doesn't challenge and question the ideas being presented, brainwashing will likely follow. If the reader critically examines the arguments/assertions of a philosopher, the mind will become sharper.
But, then again, our mental capacities are limited and we can be rational only to an extent.
I don't imagine that we'd be better off never picking up a philosophy book. Perhaps more "authentic" (that is if we aren't brainwashed by non-philosophers) but with a more limited perspective. I suppose I do drugs for the same reason that I read philosophy: to expand my perspective.
I think words are very powerful and important. Have I been brainwashed by Schopenhauer into thinking that I am will? Would I be equally brainwashed if I thought that I was a soul, or matter, or spirit, or an animal, or a brain, or a mind, or appearance? If I came to a conclusion about my identity without reading anyone would I have reached a better conclusion or would I just have brainwashed myself? Ahhh!
Is the only escape from error to refrain from attaching a word to what is in reality mysterious?
I think the reading of philosophy can go either way.
I feel that. If a reader doesn't challenge and question the ideas being presented, brainwashing will likely follow. If the reader critically examines the arguments/assertions of a philosopher, the mind will become sharper.
But, then again, our mental capacities are limited and we can be rational only to an extent.
I don't imagine that we'd be better off never picking up a philosophy book. Perhaps more "authentic" (that is if we aren't brainwashed by non-philosophers) but with a more limited perspective. I suppose I do drugs for the same reason that I read philosophy: to expand my perspective.
I think words are very powerful and important. Have I been brainwashed by Schopenhauer into thinking that I am will? Would I be equally brainwashed if I thought that I was a soul, or matter, or spirit, or an animal, or a brain, or a mind, or appearance? If I came to a conclusion about my identity without reading anyone would I have reached a better conclusion or would I just have brainwashed myself? Ahhh!
Is the only escape from error to refrain from attaching a word to what is in reality mysterious?
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