USA Kentucky
Email:skept_cm@yahoo.com
Background:
Life long interest in the fundamental questions of existence; educational background in biology, psychology, and physics; masters degree. Since 1995, a #Philosophy visitor, a regular, an operator, and presently channel manager.
Personal worldview:
A work in progress :)
The attraction of #Philosophy:
The attraction of #Philosophy is that people can often be found there who have unique and thought provoking perspectives on philosophical topics. Comparing different points of view help me in expanding the tenets of my own world view and many people can be found in #Philosophy who have contemplated the fundamental questions; questions to which thoughtful people, in their more reflective moments, are drawn.
In my view, access to the philosophy channel can be likened to having
Star-Trek's transporter in one's home. By sitting at the computer and
entering commands, one is virtually transported to a place maintained for
people with shared interests. There one can share philosophical ideas and
keep company with other people of like mind. It is my hope that you, the
visitors to # Philosophy, along with its operation and management make it
more and more "the place to be" for people interested in observing or
participating in philosophical discussion and debate. It is to that end
that a group of conscientious channel operators and myself dedicate our
efforts.
Favorite philosopher:
I have found nearly all philosophers I have read to have ideas of value and I have been influenced by them as well as by writers on fundamental issues of physics, biology, psychology and also by science fiction authors. In addition, my philosophical base has been broadened by various people in #Philosophy.
Qualified to assist with:
Ontological and Epistemological questions.
Favorite Quotes:
I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's.
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour. - from Auguries of Innocence
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the
source of all true art and science. _What I Believe_ [1930]
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own
reasons for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he
contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous
structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend a little
of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.
Truth springs from argument amongst friends.
He who wonders discovers that this in itself is wonder.
The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of
wonder.
Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.
As for the passions and studies of the mind, avoid envy, anxious fears,
anger fretting inwards, subtle and knotty inquisitions, joys and
exhilarations in excess, sadness not communicated. Entertain hopes,
mirth rather than joy, variety of delights rather than surfeit of them,
wonder and admiration (and therefore novelties), studies that fill the
mind with splendid and illustrious objects (as histories, fables, and
contemplations of nature).
Be not so bigoted to any custom as to worship it at the expense of Truth.
Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.
A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.
It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is its own troubles.
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes
wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.