logo Sign In

The Philosophy Thread - Where Serious Questions "May" Be Discussed — Page 4

Author
Time

Post Praetorian said:

If mankind were on the brink of discovering time travel, would it be better that the knowledge be shared universally or banned outright?

Time travel already exists within the laws of physics. You can't ban the laws of physics.

真実

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Ryan McAvoy said:

On Sunday, 2.5 of the greatest minutes ever were broadcast on Irish Televison...

Stephen Fry on God / The Meaning Of Life / RTÉ One

The slightly horrified looks on the interviewer's (Gay Byrne) face make it all the better.

To borrow the title from Oolon Colluphid's 4th book "Well, That About Wraps It Up For God" ;-)

 Given the nature of offense I've managed to cause in another thread, I suppose I should become incensed over this.

This is terrible!  Utterly terrible!  I'm so offended that you shared your personal thoughts on something!

Ryan, you probably don't even know what I'm referring to, but perhaps others will.  It's idiotic.  I can't even bring myself to be offended, though this is more of a direct challenge to my beliefs than my sentiments were to others'.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Sorry Ender, not sure what you are refering too.

I notice that video has got over 5 million views in a week, so it's clearly getting people engaged. RTE's other uploaded videos with anything like that amount of views are years old.

You can watch the whole episode of 'Meaning of Life' here.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

Author
Time

imperialscum said:

Post Praetorian said:

If mankind were on the brink of discovering time travel, would it be better that the knowledge be shared universally or banned outright?

Time travel already exists within the laws of physics. You can't ban the laws of physics.

 Were mankind on the brink of harnessing such a phenomenon, would it be better that...

I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton

“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”

Author
Time

Ryan McAvoy said:

Sorry Ender, not sure what you are refering too.

I notice that video has got over 5 million views in a week, so it's clearly getting people engaged. RTE's other uploaded videos with anything like that amount of views are years old.

You can watch the whole episode of 'Meaning of Life' here.

He didn't say anything rabid anti-theists haven't already been saying -- and religionists haven't been hearing -- for decades now. It's old hat.  

Author
Time

^Exactly.  As if such an argument were a shocker.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

      Old hat indeed.

      On the gut emotional level, my response is "Chidren? Bone cancer!?!?!? ROOAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!?!?!?!?! D-8<" It makes me pray for a God above the God of this universe to come and chuck this God into the hottest fires of Hell. I'd like to go to the realm of this God simply to lunge at whatever might be It's throat.

     Of course, that is exactly the response so many manipulative creeps who love to make this argument are looking to provoke.

      On an intellectual level, my reaction is "What tiny-minded DRIVEL! So easy to shoot-down that argument in so many ways."

      On a moral level, I'm HORRIFIED and REVOLTED by this argument!!! Yes, many who make it are honest; but there is a HUGE sub-set of DEPRAVED characters running around out there using it to justify anything and everything. Their line of thinking runs "DON'T YOU DARE try to impose a faith based value system! People who do that are stupid neanderthals who would stand in the way of my enlightened activities! They deserve to SUFFER AND DIE!!!! D-8<"

      Let's imagine that Bill Gates is in fact a jerk who gets his jollies out of running around and stepping on the toes of strangers. He's not completely sociopathic, however. He compensates his victims with some brand-new Mercedes'.

    You might really dislike characters who like to step on the toes of others, even while knowing that every victim gains a new luxury auto. Despite your dislike, you might find yourself wishing that Gates comes and steps on your foot. You might be glad after he does.

     We don't know what, if anything, children who die of bone cancer are thinking about their ordeal.

 

Author
Time

I believe what Mr. Fry actually meant was that if he believed the god of the bible to be real, he would call him out on his behavior and various failings.  But since he only considers this god to be a particularly capricious and ill-tempered fictional character, he prefers to ignore the idea of supplicating himself to any such notions altogether.

Author
Time

As a small bit of irony, most of my Harry Potter enjoyment has been coming from the audio books read by the same Mr. Frye. Just an interesting aside.

Author
Time

Others have uttered similar sentiments (I'm sure I've heard the eye-eating-insects argument before) but what made it special for me was the way Fry delivered it as if he was actually speaking directly to God at the pearly gates, and giving him a right telling off!

I was imagining God being ashamed and feeling duty bound to apologise to Stephen ;-)

I watched the whole interview streamed on RTE's website. Very interesting stuff, most of it not about God and quite a bit about Fry's bipolar disorder.

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Ryan McAvoy said:

I was imagining God being ashamed and feeling duty bound to apologise to Stephen ;-)

I was imagining God tilting Their head and thinking "Did we hear a buzzing gnat fly past our ear just now?" 

Author
Time
 (Edited)

DuracellEnergizer said:

I was imagining God tilting Their head and thinking "Did we hear a buzzing gnat fly past our ear just now?" 

Saint Peter - "No my lord, it was the buzzing of a fly eating a child's eye"

God - "Oh nevermind then"

(Only joking, no offense meant)

VIZ TOP TIPS! - PARENTS. Impress your children by showing them a floppy disk and telling them it’s a 3D model of a save icon.

Author
Time

darth_ender said:

As a small bit of irony, most of my Harry Potter enjoyment has been coming from the audio books read by the same Mr. Frye. Just an interesting aside.

 Who?

Author
Time

Ryan McAvoy said:

DuracellEnergizer said:

I was imagining God tilting Their head and thinking "Did we hear a buzzing gnat fly past our ear just now?" 

Saint Peter - "No my lord, it was the buzzing of a fly eating a child's eye"

God - "Oh nevermind then"

(Only joking, no offense meant)

None taken. After all, if God exists, I'm sure They can handle a bit of criticism. 

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I'm hoping the universe is just a simulation ... an incredibly shoddy simulation ... one which doesn't even come a fraction of a decimal to comparing to the reality beyond.

Cats had still better be real, though, along with the colours red and green.

Author
Time

putting this back on the front page.

Author
Time

Warbler said:

putting this back on the front page.

 You do realize this is almost as bad as the necroposting, right?

In theory, of course.

Author
Time

I'd say it's worse. At least some of the ancient threads are an interesting read. Seeing "putting this back on the front page" when I click "first unread post" isn't.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

So here is a philosophical consideration to be shared...if one were to determine that one's existence in the world were actually a detriment to one's own entourage, while equally considering that one's absence might pose a different problem of similar magnitude is it more noble to stay the course or abandon ship...?

For example, if one were to discover that one was an insatiable gambler whose persistent existence could only ruin normal familial stability, while at the same time recognize that one's absence would allow for one's newborn child to grow up without a close paternal figure is it preferable to cede to the demands of the present or to linger still further to accomplish the goals of a future tense?

To clarify, in the above scenario there can be no realistic thought of a cure for the disease in question and no real doubt as to the eventual discord with which the child might grow to view the one who lingered on seemingly for his/her sole benefit...thus given that both paths end in pain is it best to cut it to the quick so that it might be swiftly done, but be long in duration; or is it preferable to allow this given harm to fester, however allowing that any eventual parting might be considered more of a final blessing than a curse...?

I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton

“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”

Author
Time

Post Praetorian said:

So here is a philosophical consideration to be shared...if one were to determine that one's existence in the world were actually a detriment to one's own entourage, while equally considering that one's absence might pose a different problem of similar magnitude is it more noble to stay the course or abandon ship...?

For example, if one were to discover that one was an insatiable gambler whose persistent existence could only ruin normal familial stability, while at the same time recognize that one's absence would allow for one's newborn child to grow up without a close paternal figure is it preferable to cede to the demands of the present or to linger still further to accomplish the goals of a future tense?

To clarify, in the above scenario there can be no realistic thought of a cure for the disease in question and no real doubt as to the eventual discord with which the child might grow to view the one who lingered on seemingly for his/her sole benefit...thus given that both paths end in pain is it best to cut it to the quick so that it might be swiftly done, but be long in duration; or is it preferable to allow this given harm to fester, however allowing that any eventual parting might be considered more of a final blessing than a curse...?

Having known an insatiable gambler who left his children behind with a premeditated exit from this world, I'd say that it would be better to linger, for the other option is an admission to the world that the sufferer felt completely trapped , worthless, and powerless to change his situation. Whether or not the world truly is deterministic, or whether or not he could better himself in time, seems to be beside the point. It's belief in oneself that is important, the belief that one is essentially good and has the humility to recognize that they can't know the outcome of every situation, no matter how hopeless it seems. Acting to cut life short, or to artificially prolong it beyond the will of the flesh itself, tends towards selfishness and hubris.

You probably don’t recognize me because of the red arm.
Episode 9 Rewrite, The Starlight Project (Released!) and ANH Technicolor Project (Released!)

Author
Time

...a fair answer from the view point of the individual so afflicted for certain...but what of the same scenario viewed from the vantage point of his/her child/children? Would such as these consider an early or later exit to be the most beneficial to themselves?

I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton

“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”