Ciceronianus

I may be making myself misunderstood. The error I mean is to treat the "observer" as in a separate world from the "observed." They're not one and the ...

I think the point he's making, if I understand it, is an error because he treats the "observer" as separate from the "observed." Certainly we matter, ...

For me, all we are, all we do, all we know, is derived from our interactivity with the rest of the world. I suspect there's a lot we don't know about ...

How comforting it must be to think the world is only a mental construct, and how blithe you must feel when you hear of those who claim to suffer in it...

I've been away for a time. By way of explaining how we differ, I wonder if you can elaborate on how you think the capacities of our mind you've referr...

I think ambiguity and misconceptions arise when ordinary language is misused in philosophy, myself.

In fact, I think we agree on several things discussed here. But I'm uncomfortable with your terminology in some cases, and concerned about what I thin...

OK. But I think when we claim each of us create or construct the world, and cats and bunnies do so as well, the world tends to multiply.

For the record, I don't assume there's a world "external" to me. I'm part of the world, like everything else. I'm not sure what you mean by an "intern...

So, each of us cause the world to exist? I suppose it would be more accurate to say that each of us causes a world to exist, though, as each of us has...

I think you're overfond of using words implying that intent is present (e.g. "create" "enact") without any reason to do so. You need not respond.

And "universe" is derived from the Latin "universum" meaning the entirety of existing things, which would include the world.

Sorry. My response appears above. The world I create is lopsided.

Isn't it true then we're merely more sophisticated creatures than others we know of, as much products of and part of the world as they are? And if tha...

I'm not sure what you mean by "empirical additions" but the capacities you refer to are, I'd suggest, the result of evolution--as you seemed to acknow...

Thank you. But I don't see how the fact we possess intelligence indicates that our minds "bring" the form or concept of a triangle, or anything else f...

I confess I don't understand the point of the exegesis on triangulation. I'm uncertain just what an imperfect triangle might be. My guess, however, is...

I was happy you referred to "MAGA conservatism." I thought that might indicate you distinguish it from Conservatism, which once championed individual ...

Well, you mentioned white people and certain northern Europe countries, you know, so I thought you were going there. As for Italy, which one? Most reg...

Those swarthy, southern Europeans aren't quite white enough, are they?

Which particular non-or-un-Americans/Europeans are the targets of your ire? Who are they who sap and impurify our precious bodily fluids?

I'm uncertain whether any thread so entirely devoted to claimed non-legal rights is an appropriate place to respond to your posts. That's because it s...

Ah, but I do believe in a rational moral structure apart from the law. I don't make the all too common mistake of equating one with the other, though.

You seem to want me to declare whether I believe rights I don't think exist ("human rights") include certain rights which, if they are "human rights,"...

And as you may have noted, my observation was that your concern over this "cultural phenomenon" is hackneyed.

I think "human rights" as referred to in this thread are largely a creation of the Enlightenment. I don't view them as being significant in law or mor...

Good Heavens! Breaking Bad ended 12 years ago. Will we be learning that someone is appalled by The Sopranos next (it ended in 2007)? The anti-hero has...

Only that if there is an answer, it will be determined by science (physicists probably, or cosmologists).

There doesn't have to be a reason. Nor does the question have to be considered.

I don't know what "insuperable immersion in being" means. But as I said, I think the only meaningful question is "why does the universe exist?" No pur...

My disappointment doesn't apply to you personally. I find us disappointing, in this case, for considering this question as if it can be answered throu...

There are moments when I find "something" disappointing, I'll admit. This is one of them.

Gosh. You sure seem disappointed to me. Extensively so, in fact. Or is indignant a better word? Regardless, quod scripsi, scripsi.

Speaking for myself, being bullied and told I should die wouldn't convince me I don't exist.

But in that case "you" don't and can't know what "you" were. All you know is that "you" weren't what "you" are now. Why call it " you" in that case?

I'm merely trying to explore what you were before you became human. I don't know what "commonplace matter" may be. I suppose you may have been "just" ...

So you have existed for billions of years. We're you ever a mammoth? What was it like?

Well, I think you'll find my thoughts, such as they are, disappointing. As for the title of this thread, I'm leery of the use of the word "created" (o...

For my part, I think that until such time as it's established we can know anything beyond the universe of which we're a part, we shouldn't claim to kn...

It seems to me that the issue which first must be addressed is whether theology is appropriately a subject of discussion in this forum. Sadly, there h...

I would call it an awkward relationship. Christianity's debt to pagan philosophy is enormous, but Christian philosophy, such as it is, is necessarily ...

Well, that's one way to insert the Bible into a philosophy forum. But I wonder at it, as the Bible warns us of philosophy's evils more than once. For ...

Thanks for the information.

Many thanks.

If the gods are kind, this thread will be as well. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

Very clearly a joke, yes.

What is being said when it's claimed women have the right not to be subjugated? If we say that means they have the right to vote, we refer to a legal ...

I must not have made myself clear. It makes no sense to me to speak of human rights or any rights outside of legal rights.

It seems to me that using the language of "rights" outside of the law constitutes a form of wishful thinking. A "right" which isn't a legal right (i.e...

My point is these are not uniquely philosophical questions. They're not questions that philosophers, in particular, face "enormous pressure" not to as...