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David S

['Member']Joined: May 23, 2021 at 10:34Last active: January 07, 2024 at 18:076 discussions36 comments
Location: Essex, United Kingdom

Bio

Scottish origin, born in Glasgow and raised in the Highlands in its most northerly town Thurso.

Now living and working in England in the county of Essex which has been place of residence for over 30 years.

Favourite Philosopher

Lao Tzu

Favourite Quotations

The Tao that can be named is not the true Tao.

Discussions (6)

Comments

In: Liz Truss (All General Truss Discussions Here)  — view comment
Who would want to be a PM in the UK right now? Every household knows you need to balance the budget. We lived through the period of austerity and cuts...
October 15, 2022 at 07:51
In: Why does owning possessions make us satisfied?  — view comment
There are other questions you might tackle involving qualities or abstractions related to owning objects, for instance, status/luxury or how much is e...
October 09, 2022 at 15:11
In: Why does owning possessions make us satisfied?  — view comment
It’s interesting to explore. Not arguably a new phenomenon either, far from it arguably. If there is archaeological evidence that ancient civilisation...
October 08, 2022 at 16:21
In: Western Classical v Eastern Mystical  — view comment
Tom, I don’t believe so but accept the argument that you cannot possibly understand the Eastern philosophy unless you have submerged yourself or of co...
September 28, 2022 at 14:47
In: Western Classical v Eastern Mystical  — view comment
Firstly apologies. I was not so familiar with the site and replying directly to a commented post. Thanks for your carefully considered reply. We can a...
September 27, 2022 at 22:12
In: Western Classical v Eastern Mystical  — view comment
I don’t think I was ignoring anyone. What gave you that idea?
September 26, 2022 at 19:10
In: Western Classical v Eastern Mystical  — view comment
This interesting comment from Cary F. Baynes in her Translator’s preface to “The Secret of the Golden Flower” translated by R. Wilhelm and C. G. Jung....
September 26, 2022 at 14:59
In: Western Classical v Eastern Mystical  — view comment
I have always appreciated the two different ways of answering the same general inquiry. One difference for me is for the Western approach it has alway...
September 23, 2022 at 14:08
In: Why do humans need morals and ethics while animals don’t  — view comment
I missed this response from the original but had not been visiting the forum. I consider myself a Taoist. Taoism isn’t implying a necessity for imbala...
September 19, 2022 at 20:18
In: Do Human Morals require a source or are they inherent to humanity and it’s evolution?  — view comment
@T Clark. Very useful reference. My take away from it is there is a natural bias from birth to like those that might treat others better and also are ...
September 19, 2022 at 15:06
In: Do Human Morals require a source or are they inherent to humanity and it’s evolution?  — view comment
I think in part it comes from the fact we are social animals, not uniquely so of course but the co-operative element necessary in particular the long ...
September 19, 2022 at 08:01
In: Do Human Morals require a source or are they inherent to humanity and it’s evolution?  — view comment
I didn’t think I needed to ‘qualify’ the ‘human’ when referring to morals. Inherent I guess in the way I phrased the question is what is instinct from...
September 18, 2022 at 17:44
In: Why do humans need morals and ethics while animals don’t  — view comment
Yes exactly - aside from some natural instinct / behaviour for attracting a mate animals are not body conscious at all. They do not worry how they loo...
September 27, 2021 at 10:11
In: Why do humans need morals and ethics while animals don’t  — view comment
Interesting views. I agree with the comment on agency. We should not think that we as humans are not animals though and somehow separate and apart fro...
September 27, 2021 at 08:48
In: Agriculture - Civilisation’s biggest mistake?  — view comment
As a Taoist hunter / gatherer was closer to how animals naturally live and of course in tune with nature. There is no doubt about the benefits for hea...
September 25, 2021 at 20:49
In: Agriculture - Civilisation’s biggest mistake?  — view comment
Sadly I don’t think they exist. There was a time when ‘undiscovered’ was just that. I do think a hunter / gatherer strategy would probably work, meani...
September 25, 2021 at 19:13
In: Agriculture - Civilisation’s biggest mistake?  — view comment
I guess provision of food and water too of course was a given, it is no accident I guess that most early populations of what were pre human ended up n...
September 25, 2021 at 17:11
In: Agriculture - Civilisation’s biggest mistake?  — view comment
It shows the issue with language and words. I guess I used wealth when I talked about surplus - the better word. Yes there is good discussion to be ha...
September 25, 2021 at 12:03
In: Agriculture - Civilisation’s biggest mistake?  — view comment
It is interesting to hear the arguments for whether agriculture was forced on certain populations or was collaborative. For sure history has always ha...
September 25, 2021 at 11:35
In: Agriculture - Civilisation’s biggest mistake?  — view comment
excellent referral, thanks
September 24, 2021 at 20:40
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
If it is assumed that ‘religion’ of any denomination or origin is conceived by man but has an external agency (message, vision, feeling) then we can l...
May 30, 2021 at 11:30
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
It is curious as well that Christian religion adopted what were pagan celebrations of Easter rebirth and Christmas and it’s symbology of course e.g. t...
May 27, 2021 at 22:41
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
Sadly almost certainly true. Even pre Christian pagans had sacrifices. The aztecs too. Warfare and debauchery and slavery too off the back of conquest...
May 27, 2021 at 17:10
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
No hard evidence. It is not that I would go looking for some. Maybe the mindfulness movement that has been around for some time now. But again I would...
May 27, 2021 at 16:29
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
I have a good friend from early school days. He became a PhD doctor in Mathematics and teaches in Australia. He is a catholic. I remember when we were...
May 27, 2021 at 08:13
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
Tom, I guess that is the problem with language. Understanding. I try and keep it simple. “Spirituality’ for me is reaching a place where you know your...
May 27, 2021 at 08:01
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
This is very much in tune with how I think these all come from the same source you term the Ultimate and the Taoist in me considers the Tao. I just th...
May 27, 2021 at 06:52
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
Okay, trying to get back on topic. I know my opening OP set the question of the origins of the belief in supra natural beings in a religious context a...
May 26, 2021 at 17:27
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
I think we can understand the ‘adoption’ from the family / community from young of a ‘strict’ religion. It can take courage and / or intelligence to ‘...
May 25, 2021 at 17:27
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
It’s an interesting thing. Not to generalise but most people like to think they can determine their own destiny. Be their own person. Not be controlle...
May 25, 2021 at 12:44
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
I am rereading, for the nth time (I never finish it), JM Roberts History of the World. He notes in pre history Neanderthal times that there is the fir...
May 24, 2021 at 20:59
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/comment/541158 Nice explanation Sir and I think along the lines that I think might have been the case. It’s ...
May 24, 2021 at 17:03
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
For the original OP, I think it is true - i.e. many billions I guess do believe. I posed the question to my daughter (24 year old) did she think that ...
May 24, 2021 at 12:52
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
It’s pretty much a ‘given’ that an individual’s view of his religion will have been influenced in the environment and beliefs of his / her parents. At...
May 24, 2021 at 11:48
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
Personally I am a Taoist. So I can believe there is a natural order to things. We can see it in the natural nature of animals and plants. I guess the ...
May 24, 2021 at 06:39
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
I’d agree and it is a very valid point about private versus public. I am not of course saying there is anything right or wrong. Again it is really try...
May 23, 2021 at 13:15
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
Yes but of course it has to be accepted to by the masses and no different than a modern day meme and in particular where social media can propagate it...
May 23, 2021 at 12:40
In: The why and origins of Religion  — view comment
It’s interesting you say that and tend to agree. We know from early history and earlier civilisations there was a need to predict or understand when f...
May 23, 2021 at 11:42
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