Jack Cummins

I was much more impressed by the set of questions you posed rather than the video you included. You ask many questions, which I am inclined to do, and...

I just logged into this thread, which fizzled out about a week ago and saw the reference to Koch's book, which looks fascinating. I actually started t...

Apparently, cassettes are making a comeback. I used to have some but they used to chew up sometimes, which used to be so stressful, so I hope this did...

I think that Oceansize are probably a bit underrated. I have heard some music by them in was fairly impressed. Also, I do have a compilation by Talk T...

The question is complex because we live in a world which is like a web, with effects which are like ripples. Also, your particular example is also com...

There are probably overlaps between the questions raised in this thread and the one that was started on metaphysics today, mainly the whole questions ...

I can see that science is forceful in the way in which it provides evidence which cannot be ignored. However, there are probably biases, especially in...

I do think that your idea of reasoning as philosophy works in many ways and it is likely that the use of reason has been important to human beings of ...

I agree that the 'new age' ideas are not equatable with the Eastern philosophy traditions. Yes, it is a good question why I keep looking for 'answers'...

I listened to some of the video, but not all of it because my mobile signal is a bit wobbly. However, in response to your whole series of questions, I...

Yes, I do agree that there are certain amounts of overlap, and it may be a bit of an oversimplification to see the two perspective as being polarised,...

Surely, it would be rather futile to try to 'force' agreement. I think that it goes beyond people trying to deny scientific findings, but how we inter...

Do you think that we may have got to a point in Western thinking where many are starting to look beyond, to other ideas, especially to those within Ea...

Thanks, I plan to read more in the direction of non dualist philosophies, because it does seem to me that it may be a useful way forward in thinking.

You've already mentioned 'Graceland,' by Paul Simon in another thread. However, you might wish to think which music artists you find to be the most in...

I think that it is a major problem when people try to impose their views on anyone else, whether it is a mystic vision, or any other. It is unfortunat...

I just think that your point of view would be clearer if you suggested a better view or model, rather than simply looking for weaknesses in the determ...

I just think that you are exaggerating the extremes of determinism or non determinism.

I think that you are really trying to point to the weaknesses in determinism, but it is just a little confusing, because in some ways you are trying t...

So, you are suggesting that all our meanings are determined. I think that I follow your basic argument, but I am not sure that it is any more objectiv...

But surely owning or disowning determinism, or any other system only makes sense in the context of any particular framework of meanings.

I read your thread introduction now and I am not convinced about your basis, 'Everything is as it is determined to be'. This seems too simplified, and...

I think that you make a good point, because, in most instances, we are not just looking for abstract truths, but ones which serve a purpose in helping...

You may also wish to speak about why you find the album to be important for you. I think that there is also a distinction to be made between what is a...

Your question of what is everything is interesting. There is so much which we cannot explain. We have many grand theories and systems thinking, which ...

I definitely agree in embracing the reflection of not being mind or body, entirely. I have read some writing of Osho. I am in agreement about studying...

I actually find it so much easier to read than watch discussions on television or on YouTube. The one thing which I would query is that you say things...

You say that 'reality' fails as a concept. I can see that it is abstract, but are you dismissing the the term at all. I can see that explanations for ...

I had a look at the blog you referred to and the arguments you suggested. I have to admit that I have only read Kant superficially. I have read some o...

I do agree that we only have the 'capacity to peer into nature' so far. But if we were able to understand it all it would be like having the mind of a...

Sorry to hear that your parents hated such music as U2. My mother regards, 'With or Without You' and, 'I Still Haven't Found What I am Looking For' as...

In case you are interested, a couple who weeks ago, in another thread@"Bitter Crank" referred to a website called, 'Forgotten Books'. This showed, and...

I am just popping out now, but will read what you have written later, and look at your blogs and write a response to you later.

Gary Lachman is a pop writer, and was even drummer of the pop band, Blondie. However, what I think that he does so well is taking the ideas and writer...

I think that Bob Dylan is a wonderful artist. He is perhaps a better writer than a singer. My own funny experience was liking him while I was at schoo...

You refer to a few writers as esoteric, having said earlier that you are opposed to the idea of the esoteric. However, some of the ones you seem to be...

I do agree that some of the most beautiful moments 'are when we actually connect' with others, and, it is probably these make life bearable. I also ag...

As far as I can see there is a whole tension between being an individual and belonging. We live in a world where many are excluded and isolated even w...

That makes it a little clearer, although I am not sure that ideas which are considered as esoteric are ones which all people would wish to understand....

I see that you emphasise esoteric knowledge as being for the 'inner circle', but I am a little unclear what you see as being the purpose of such knowl...

You speak of distinguishing between the I and the we, but, perhaps many people remain isolated in the form of the 'I', feeling cut off from a sense of...

But that is the big question in itself. I don't really know if esoteric knowledge is mumbo jumbo or not. My understanding is that it is about secret o...

The whole question of personal knowledge in relation to the ones of shared ones is one of central importance. We could ask to what extent were ideas a...

If only we could find one book which would give us the answers...

Perhaps it is decadence, or the signs of a civilisation on the brink of collapse, but not completely...

I am interested in what you have to say here about your experience, of the Eureka moment. That is because even though I am interested in your thread a...

It is a good question whether esoteric ideas solve all problems. I probably would not be writing a thread on philosophical mysteries if I thought that...

I definitely used to wonder about life before birth, as much as life after death. That was because one of my earliest memories was of being in a cot a...

I have written a response to a reply I received in a comment I got in my response to you, so you can read it if you are interested. However, I am not ...

I am logged in so I might as well reply to you, even though I was planning to write on the thread tonight. I can explain my so-called 'pursuit of esot...