Rob J Kennedy

Yes Arne, almost everyone I know that sees philosophy as more than just an idea, or something in books, fits that description. Glad to know there are ...

Thanks

Cheers

Too true Jack. I have taken two short philosophy courses at our Australia National University (ANU) over the last two years. And both were specific, d...

It would seem that this forum is a community of like-minded people. We just live in different time zones.

Specifically, two things philosophers have taught me is, one, like Epicurus said, the best way to live is to be in a community of like-minded people, ...

Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Hesse at 12, wow. The only thing I was doing at that age was picking my nose. I'm from Australia, and for the vast majority of...

Poerty ask questions and tries to tell people what life feels like. I guess philosophy is similar.

You say, "the main thing that draws me to philosophy is the desire and the will to understand the Universe," I try to seperate understanding the unive...

Yes I have 30 regular acquaintances. I was merely guessing that others do. Certainly, when younger, I had many more. Being in the arts, especially in ...

You say, "Philosophy is looking at words we use in our daily lives and trying to figure out their definitions." I have this saying that's a bit cumber...

Yep, poetry led me into philosophy.

Oh yes, most definitely Joshs. You say, "You may not talk explicitly about philosophy or philosophers, but that doesn't mean that you dont ever think ...

You are right in saying that some prefer not to be alone. I think a lot about Nietzsche and his seven summers of wandering around Sils Maria. Yes, he ...

I think you've hit on something there Bert. "Perhaps we only start to think when we stop getting what we want." That requires extra thinking from me.

Do you recall the first time you encountered philosophy and what was it?

I can't say I've ever found anyone with enough knowledge of philosophy to be hostile towards it. And that's a real pity because many of my friends alr...

Yes, Kazan, I think you are very much right in thinking that " every human decision has a philosophic basis/bias." Even small decisions are weighed by...

Good point. And as we all know, blondes have more fun. I wonder if all this applies to the blonde male also?

I was just reading about how different blonde and brunette women are treated across society. Blonde women still get the majority of the breaks.

I totally agree, Vera Mont. Perceived beauty is a process of our conditioning. I read in a book that old chestnut the other day, "Beauty is in the eye...

Hey BC, While beauty can be a good thing as you say, it depends if it's engineered beauty or "natural beauty". Beauty can have very discriminatory asp...

Nice thoughts Outlander. While I was thinking in general terms of a person’s physical beauty, the inner beauty of a person, could also be seen as an e...

Very rational, Vera Mont. I’d suggest that all of us who could give did, it would make a huge difference.

Hi All, The reason I asked the question, was because after reading Rawls' A Theory of Justice, he states, page 13, in the revised version, that, "Offh...

That why you don’t impose equality. You set up safety nets to help people who are not able to help themselves. Then, when basic needs are met, people ...

Hey BC, It sounds like you are saying there is no point in even raising the question. For me, it’s a question that needs to be asked if the human race...

I hope that is taught in schools everywhere, Frank. Everyone has the choice to disobey. It's in human nature, look at any child. We need more individu...

what do you think would happen if every soldier refused their orders?

To do your questions justice Tom, would require a book length response. But I will say that existentialism appeals to me because it speaks directly to...

As philosophy is a non-subject for about 98% of humanity, I’d say it compares pretty low.

36%, so far.

Yes, Jack, I agree. When someone asked me if I was, I was relectant to answer. I think if one was to afirm their loyalities to one philosophy or anoth...

Well, I don’t agree with you Abhiram. Both Sartre and de Beauvoir said that existentialism is best understood through plays, literature and poetry. Th...

Well 180 Proof, as it’s the philosophy I have read about the most, and the one that interests me the most, I’d have to say yes. I have read about 50% ...

After reading all the replies to this subject, it's clear that metaphysics means different things to different people. With something that is "non-phy...

I can understand love letter to the two. After reading about Chateaubriand, I think I might have done the same thing.

Yes, corporate speak is the death of originality.

Hi Tom, I'm learning French and all French translations to English are never word for word, they can't be. So yes, translations often distort. I like ...

I ain’t bright, what’s AVL?

Me too. Wish I could get the first 30 years back.

Hi Josh, When I look at the state of the world, we are urgently ineed of transformative thinking. And, it is only medical science that can change us. ...

Well, I belevie that there should be "paradigm shifts or revolutions in philosophy". Look at the advances in Neuroscince over the last five years, sur...

I'd rather not.

Agreed, Relavitist. Essence is not a useful concept, but what I know of Sartre, I can understand why he focused on it at one point. I have a friend wh...

Hi Jack, I figure our biology has to be a part of human essence. Our essence can't be just what we think we are. But is this only a philosophical view...

Hi Relativist, Words send us in circles. But for me, my definition of essence includes our biological makeup, which drives primary functions and attit...

Hi Manual, I never said there weren’t Australian philosopher, just a dearth of philosophical discussion in Australia, except on here of course. I agre...

Hi Lionino, I'll take a look at that and see if it helps. Thank you. Rob.

Hi, Yes, I could kill my parents for giving me such a name. To top it off, my middle name is John. Guess when I was born? All I can say abuout junior ...