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The power of reflection
| Philosophy 101 |
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The power of reflection |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
"the greatest disaster of mankind is the endowment of the power of reflection; that is, searching for the significance of life, the meaning of what is known about himself and the capability of reflection as a thinking self" --Yang-Eun Chung, Professor of Psychology at Seoul National University When I read this the first time, I couldn't believe my eyes. So, is the tragedy of men and women the ability to be self aware? Obviously this it tied to an earlier post of mine (Is this incoherent?) but I also believe there may be some connection between this and Robin's point about "Childhood". Anybody care? |
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| © Copyright 1999 Brad - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
I have the greatest respect for teachers. Really, I do. But is this guy playing with full deck? That statement is tantamount to saying the greatest disaster of mankind is being mankind. The ability to reason and reflect defines and differentiates us. It's what we are. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Ron, I agree with you. On the other hand, I think this reflects a certain anti-intellectual tradition to be found in many parts of the world including, I think, America. I see more than a hint of certain types of Buddhism or Taoism in this statement. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Are you then suggesting that "ego," or the inability to see beyond the awareness of one's self is the disaster? Do we want to talk about mystical enlightenment or Maslow's self-actualization?  [This message has been edited by Ron (edited 10-27-1999).] |
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starchild Member
since 1999-10-22
Posts 59manchester, england |
the disaster is not the abiity to be self aware, the disaster is what theat abilty has let us become. humans are the worst thing that has ever happened to this planet, we are a disease to the earth no matter how you look at it. it is not a disaster to be able to differentiate ourselves, but when we do it to such a severe degree it becomes one. in the beginning we were like all the other drops in the river, we moved with the river and so we inerited the srenght of it. once we became self aware we decided that we could do better and drew ourselves out of the river into the harsh heat. instead of being cooled by al the other drops of wter we had to devise new ways to become cool. more and more we built devices and harder and harder we make it to return to the river. mankind is mostly a disaster and that fact comes from mankinds hig opinion of itself |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Ron, I didn't post this for any particular reason. I thought it was an amazing thing to say and just wanted to see if anybody else was interested. Starchild, Well, it seems we have a Taoist walking amongst us. |
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starchild Member
since 1999-10-22
Posts 59manchester, england |
well i kind of have to agree with most everything i have read, just don't have the will to act to rule-roast beef, alcohol- |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Starchild, There is no such thing as will! Read, my friend, read. however, there is such a thing as maybe. |
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