Each and every endeavor, every goal and aspiration seems like nothing more than a pile of sand, feeble and insignificant to the passing winds that would just as soon blow it over than the mounds and piles be made into something magnificent like a mountain teaming with life. Every action pours more and more sand … Continue reading In the Face of Forever, …
philosophy
For the Love of Wisdom!: Comments on Practicing Philosophy in Contemporary Times
It's come to my attention that not only is philosophy somewhat popular among many subcultures in our modern, primarily Western societies, but this popularity has somewhat estranged the general practice and purpose of philosophy from the many theories, perspectives, and philosophers whom are held in some esteem by the members of these subcultures and niche … Continue reading For the Love of Wisdom!: Comments on Practicing Philosophy in Contemporary Times
Preparation for Death and Dying
I write on death to express some feelings about my life that I feel are atypical and unconventional, yet insightful. This ties into my philosophy of sanity and the compulsion to be "in" rather than "out", but I don’t explicitly mean to talk about mental states here. Just about my own, in fact. I love … Continue reading Preparation for Death and Dying
Humanity #5: Moral Counter-Balances
Why do those concerned primarily with material things spend so much time and effort on thoughts and understandings? Why do those who seem most concerned about having the right state of mind or ethical philosophy get so involved and invested in material things? People to me have always seemed backwards. They often say and do … Continue reading Humanity #5: Moral Counter-Balances
How do We Understand Life? A Cure to Suffering
Life is like a flame that burns on a wick. If it burns too strongly, it could destroy itself in a flash, but if it doesn't burn strongly enough, only the faintest puff of breath is needed to blow it out completely.
The Irony of Free Will in a World of Order and Chaos
"...if you are not responsible for your own actions because it was the end result or effect of a series of near infinite causes, do we have free will, or are we like machines pretending to be living things?"
Humanity #4: The Desire for Improvement and Self-Control
There are so many attitudes and frames of thought nowadays that are focused on constant improvement, growth, or evolution. The idea is that things as they are now are suitable for this stage of existence, but it would be objectively better, and much more enjoyable, if we managed to improve things even just a bit … Continue reading Humanity #4: The Desire for Improvement and Self-Control
Human Nature #2: A Framework of Humanity
I wanted to continue my contemplations on the nature of humanity, but not from the perspective of ideas inspired by another's philosophy or personal mode of thinking, but by my own observed thoughts and behaviors. Truly, this has been a focus of mine since late middle school when I first wondered why it was people … Continue reading Human Nature #2: A Framework of Humanity
“Human” Nature
David Hume (whose name so greatly fits this writing) defines moral philosophy as “the study of human nature” at the beginning of his revised Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. This is not a review of some of the ideas presented in that, in my opinion, remarkable work, but instead a consideration in my own manner of human … Continue reading “Human” Nature
What Does it Mean to be Spiritual?
Contrary to popular belief, spirituality inherently is a vacuum. The word is as difficult to define as love, but once people are even somewhat familiar with related notions and ideas, such as the metaphysical, the sacred, or natural balance, we begin to grow an innate understanding of what this word means to refer to. Describing … Continue reading What Does it Mean to be Spiritual?