Prego :sparkle:

Listened to all of the TED talk by Cyrille Aimee.
Captivating and clear. Serious and funny.
I think I understood the philosophical aspects of the synergy of communication between her, the audience and her guitarist.

The ways to be in the moment and in harmony.
I enjoyed her contrasting examples of grating out-of-synch shoo-be-do-be-do's with her own more natural style, sound and movement.

Showed a warm and intelligent sense of humanity.

Philosophy and music as a way of life. Shoo-be-do, yeah :cool:

to call attention to the fact that the status quo is "Man's Day" every day all year long except(?) "Woman's Day". A symbolic form a protest to prick the cultural conscience (and maybe even rattle some political cages around the globe) ... like "Black History Month" in the US (which is manifestly white history month every day). — 180 Proof

I meant to reply to this. You make good points.
Re: a White History Month, I found an interesting article where a sociologist claims it would be ridiculous to have one but later agrees it might be worthwhile:

We celebrate the accomplishments of white people every day. Calls to celebrate whiteness ignore the institutionalized celebration of whiteness that’s built into the very fabric of our day-to-day lives, along with the more overt celebrations in every history textbook. — Daniel Hirschman in interview

https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/2/7/14503144/white-history-month-black-history-month-white-pride-nationalism-racism

if women ruled the world, would they allow a Man's Day? — Harry Hindu

There is already, as mentioned above.

You sound like someone that is simply angry... — Harry Hindu

Didn't get that impression at all. Whereas your post sounded a tad on the mad side.

It seems to me that you are trying to impose minority rule of the majority. — Harry Hindu

When white nationalist and white supremacist movements call to celebrate whiteness, they claim or imply that white people are under threat from nonwhite people. That is a cover to justify white people’s monopoly on wealth, income, property values, prestige power, and other desirable things. So they are deeply invested in inventing a particular understanding of race and a particular understanding of history that supports their narrative of white people under siege. — As above

This is based on fear of losing power and control.

Having a Whiteness Day could inform rather than create further division.
Understanding the history of whiteness - the organisations to ensure dominance:

We should be talking more about whiteness. There was a recent controversy over a course being offered at the University of Wisconsin Madison on “The Problem of Whiteness.”

I looked over the syllabus — it’s a great example of how to think and teach about race by foregrounding whiteness rather than nonwhiteness. That is, when we talk and write about race, we almost automatically assume that race is something that African Americans and Latinxs and Asians and Native Americans have; white people are just people.

By foregrounding whiteness, we remind ourselves that race is a social construct that, for the most part, white people have used to assert or imply that white people are superior. — As above

La Mer by Julio Iglesias at end of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' film based on book by John le Carre.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3SSIp2J3YHM

Brief note re the contrast of the tune with 'the tortured love-hate, self-or-country dynamics at work in the scene.' Here:

https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2016/05/track-of-the-day-la-mer/482637/

A Disappointed Octopus

https://www.offthemark.com/cartoon/relationships/love-romance/2020-09-11

I'm a French guy in Rome. — Olivier5

Perfetto. Sei fortunato.

The 3 keys of musical improvisation also are three keys of existence... The music starts at 17:00, after the lecture. — Olivier5

I will listen later. Thanks for all recommendations.
Will play Radio Freccia to start the day in another way.

the relations between philosophy and music — Olivier5

Cool. As they say.

Living in Italy has its advantages. She's all over the waves here. — Olivier5

Oh, for some reason I thought you were an American in Paris.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KU1X3Wut-k0

OK, I will try to find the best Italian radio station. Any ideas ?
I used to listen to them when I was learning da lingo but that was a while ago...

Ah, dinner table talks. Gotta love them. — Benkei

Bien sur :cool:

You never know where they might lead.
Brad and Angelina at dinner in Mr and Mrs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VUXW8pIv9YI

No problem with equal opportunities to stick the knife in :love:

But then again:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n0UKe3WnyfI

Love Song written by Lesley Duncan
Elton John gives her credit as they sing together.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BHHrWwzQpns

The words I have to say
May well be simple but they're true
Until you give your love
there's nothing more that we can do

Love is the opening door
Love is what we came here for
No-one could offer you more
Do you know what I mean
Have your eyes really seen

You say it's very hard
To leave behind the life we knew
But there's no other way
And now it's really up to you

Love is the key we must turn
Truth is the flame we must burn
Freedom the lesson we must learn
Do you know what I mean?
Have your eyes really seen?

Source: LyricFind

Everything Changes - Lesley Duncan

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=32WsT5Z6XHM

Everything changes and fades into dust
Stay if you want to and go if you must
I couldn't hold you, I wouldn't want to
But if you feel blue, run to me

I'll make some coffee and just be around
And you can tell me what's getting you down
That's what I came for, born of the same law
Right through the same door you and me

And if your life gets heavy, I'll lighten up your day
Do my best to make you feel at one
It's the best way that I know; babe, I love you so
You know I'll need you till my life is done

Everything changes and love travels on
Melt in the sunshine, rest in the dawn
Just let it move you, that's all you can do
Open your heart and see the sun

And if your life gets heavy, I'll lighten up your day
Do my best to make you feel at one
It's the best way that I know; babe, I love you so
You know I'll need you till my life is done

Everything changes (love travels on)
Everything changes (love travels on)
Everything changes (love travels on)
Everything changes (love travels on)

https://lyricstranslate.com

Can't get enough of Malika Ayane. — Olivier5

From Tempesta frilly frock to black classical with tattoos.
She is amazing.
Soul satisfying.
Thank you.
Where or how did you find her ?

(This is my last try) — Olivier5

Schade. Quel dommage. Tant pis. Non importante.
Gute nacht. An' a' that...
Time to say goodnight, then :yawn:

Lullaby from Andrea Bocelli to Elmo
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XwG0kD449So

The original was 'Time to say Goodbye'
“Con te Partiro”,  beautiful. Andrea in 2016 with orchestra and choir

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RqTOYtN5cIs

You a Scot? — Olivier5

Vielleicht.
If you like :smile:

What it is - Mark Knopfler ( about Edinburgh )
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BvAUQsbKnLI

Better here - Live in Rome 2013
With flute at 4.15, violinist having fun too :smile:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D3vSFF2533k

Where are you from Amity? — Olivier5

Devine!

Runrig
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ7f0HUk8OU
Or live:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQ1pNfbe3Q

Or slower and romantic by Ella Roberts
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gb8AGuD2uOI

Historian Murray G. H. Pittock writes that the song "is a Jacobite adaptation of an eighteenth-century erotic song, with the lover dying for his king, and taking only the 'low road' of death back to Scotland."[5] It is one of many poems and songs that emerged from Jacobite political culture in Scotland.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bonnie_Banks_o%27_Loch_Lomond

Lyrics

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.

O ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye.
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.

'Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond.
Where in deep purple hue, the hieland hills we view,
And the moon comin' out in the gloamin'.

The wee birdies sing and the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping:
But the broken heart, it kens nae second spring again,
Tho' the waefu' may cease from their greeting.

To have for me
One word of tenderness
Appeared to you
Like the worst weakness — Olivier5

So sad.

I promise something more joyous. — Olivier5

You have great taste.
J'attends par anticipation...
:sparkle:

Thanks for Juliette. She passed away recently. — Olivier5

Oh, sorry to hear that. But what a life...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliette_Gréco

Il volo - Zucchero ( live in Verona )

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XSVoZNy6kPc

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/il-volo-flight.html

Thanks, it means much to me. It is a beautiful song. — Olivier5

Yes. It is. Unforgettable. My kind of song but would never have found it elsewhere.
Thank you and others for all of this...

Is that a French tongue ? :cool:

Allons-y !

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ytgSGyu5JI8

Deshabillez moi - Juliette Greco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ytgSGyu5JI8

Looking through this brilliant thread, I found this.

Magnifique sans aucun doute :cool:
However, I had my doubts about the translation.
'Too bad for your buttocks'. Vraiment ?! In such a tender song. Pas possible.
But it was.
Will watch the video again. This time armed with parallel translations. All the better to listen...and watch the movements of this superbe trio as they take turns to play the piano and sing.

Alors, merci pour les gens qui doutent:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qM1XxVZH-I0

I like people who doubt
J'aime les gens qui doutent

People who listen too much
Les gens qui trop écoutent

Their heart sway
Leur coeur se balancer

I like people who say
J'aime les gens qui disent

And who contradict each other
Et qui se contredisent

And without denouncing
Et sans se dénoncer

I like people who tremble
J'aime les gens qui tremblent

That sometimes they don't seem
Que parfois ils ne semblent

Able to judge
Capables de juger

I like people passing by
J'aime les gens qui passent

Half in their shoes
Moitié dans leurs godasses

And half beside
Et moitié à côté

I like their little song
J'aime leur petite chanson

Even if they pass for idiots
Même s'ils passent pour des cons

I like those who panic
J'aime ceux qui paniquent

Those who are not logical
Ceux qui sont pas logiques

Well, not right
Enfin, pas comme il faut

Those who, with their chains
Ceux qui, avec leurs chaînes

So that it doesn't bother us
Pour pas que ça nous gêne

Make a bell noise
Font un bruit de grelot

Those who will not be ashamed
Ceux qui n'auront pas honte

Of not being at the end of the day
De n'être au bout du compte

Only failures of the heart
Que des ratés du coeur

For not having known how to say
Pour n'avoir pas su dire

Deliver us from the worst
Délivrez-nous du pire

And keep the best
Et gardez le meilleur

I like their little song
J'aime leur petite chanson

Even if they pass for idiots
Même s'ils passent pour des cons

I like people who don't dare
J'aime les gens qui n'osent

Make things your own
S'approprier les choses

Even less people
Encore moins les gens

Those who don't want to be
Ceux qui veulent bien n'être

Than a simple window
Qu'une simple fenêtre

For children's eyes
Pour les yeux des enfants

Those who without a banner
Ceux qui sans oriflamme

Colorblind souls
Les daltoniens de l'âme

Ignore colors
Ignorent les couleurs

Those who are quite pears
Ceux qui sont assez poires

So that history never
Pour que jamais l'Histoire

Give them the honors
Leur rende les honneurs

I like their little song
J'aime leur petite chanson

Even if they pass for idiots
Même s'ils passent pour des cons

I like people who doubt
J'aime les gens qui doutent

And would like us to fuck them
Et voudraient qu'on leur foute

Peace from time to time
La paix de temps en temps

And that we don't abuse them
Et qu'on ne les malmène

Never when they walk
Jamais quand ils promènent

Their autumns in spring
Leurs automnes au printemps

Tell them that the soul
Qu'on leur dise que l'âme

Makes better flames
Fait de plus belles flammes

That all these sad asses
Que tous ces tristes culs

And that we thank them
Et qu'on les remercie

Tell them, we shout at them
Qu'on leur dise, on leur crie

Thank you for living
Merci d'avoir vécu

Thank you for the tenderness
Merci pour la tendresse

And too bad for your buttocks
Et tant pis pour vos fesses

Who did what they could
Qui ont fait ce qu'elles ont pu

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Anne Sylvestre

What about a scurrilous 'sapiosexualist' ?
A special sorta smarty-pants ?

Grazie mucho :cool:

What got you into philosophy? — khaled

As a teenager, the word 'philosophy' fascinated me. Just like the word 'abroad'.
What did it mean, where would it take me...?

So, I bought the book, 'Philosophy Made Simple' and took a trip to Austria.

Later on, I followed Marcus Aurelius and Goethe to Italy.

No LSD or pounds, shillings and pence involved .
But plenty of Euros for an Aperol or Hugo spritz at Lake Garda.
Don't know Goethe's preference but he drank in the the whole atmosphere.
Here's some of his writing:

https://www.oxfordlieder.co.uk/song/610

Mignon
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn,
Im dunkeln Laub die Gold-Orangen glühn,
Ein sanfter Wind vom blauen Himmel weht,
Die Myrte still und hoch der Lorbeer steht?
Kennst du es wohl?
Dahin! dahin
Möcht’ ich mit dir, o mein Geliebter, ziehn.

English Translation © Richard Stokes

Do you know the land where the lemons blossom,
Where oranges grow golden among dark leaves,
A gentle wind drifts from the blue sky,
The myrtle stands silent, the laurel tall,
Do you know it?
It is there, it is there
I long to go with you, my love.

-------

So that was the beginning and where it led. Still curious after all these years...

Why women's day? — 4ever1friend

It is more than it first appears.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women's_Day

There's a mini discussion about this in the Lounge. Starting with:

On 8th March every year is International Women's Day.
This year the theme is: 'Choosing to Challenge'.
How many get to choose ? — Amity

https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/28/the-shoutbox/p935

There is also an International Men's Day
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Men%27s_Day

Because every woman is a potential mother, — 4ever1friend

So much more than being a mother or a father.

...According to philosophical materialism, mind and consciousness are by-products or epiphenomena of material processes (such as the biochemistry of the human brain and nervous system), without which they cannot exist.”

... I can give you plenty of examples of psychologists who considers themselves to be doing science but yet reject materialism. They deal with entities that can be identified and measured, but these are not ‘matter’ in a physicalistic sense but intersubjectively constructed patterns. And they do not believe these are reducible to physicalistic matter. — Joshs

This was addressed to @Tom Storm.
However, I am interested and would like to reply.

I am not exactly sure what is meant by 'intersubjectively constructed patterns' ?
I think it means something like patterns of behaviour or thought which emerge from experience or awareness shared by others. This would include emotions and motivations, I guess.
And yes, they can be identified, measured and further explored.

The patterns are not 'matter' and can't be reduced as such. They are part of the natural process of life.
We can't understand human life by an analysis of physical components alone.

The origin of life remains a mystery but mystery doesn't necessarily mean supernatural.
It is something strange or not known that has not yet been explained or understood.
I responded earlier, to the best of my ability, to the questions posed in the OP:

So the mystery of the origin of life is very real.
Even if you could find an alternate mechanism for accurate chemical reproduction - what could give it its sense of direction before life had an in interest in preserving itself. Whatever factor could apply to chemicals alone, to start giving an evolutionary direction in favour of life? — Gary Enfield

Much of established science was a mystery until fairly recently.
It is a continual process dealing with problems which need to be solved.

Neuroscience combines studies of the physical and the mental in an attempt to understand consciousness, amongst other things. From wiki:

Neuroscience (or neurobiology) is the scientific study of the nervous system.[1] It is a multidisciplinary science that combines physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, developmental biology, cytology, computer science, mathematical modeling, and psychology to understand the fundamental and emergent properties of neurons and neural circuits.[2][3][4][5][6] The understanding of the biological basis of learning, memory, behavior, perception, and consciousness has been described by Eric Kandel as the "ultimate challenge" of the biological sciences.[7]

How reliable it is would seem to be the question remaining.
As reliable as we can hope for ?

Studying the nervous system can only advance our understanding of biology and function.
It can shed light on what happens when there are problems related to the brain.
If researchers can find ways to prevent or treat e.g. psychiatric disorders by brain imaging coupled with physiological models, theories or mechanisms then that is all to the good.

Understanding to the best of our ability is crucial to maintain overall health and well-being.
Survival, if you like.
And this includes philosophy; reflection and discussion, even if it might be not be considered 'reliable'. For some, like Hadot, it is a way of life...

Thanks to @Gary Enfield for starting this thread. It has been informative.

I am still reading 'The Zhuangzi'... it is perhaps best to absorb a book like this slowly, giving time for reflection. — Jack Cummins

I agree. I have only just finished the Introduction :smile:

Thanks for sharing your background; most interesting. To have a healthy curiosity, interest in people and ability to pose intelligent questions is of great benefit when starting and maintaining a thread.
It also takes time, energy and commitment.
Thank you.

Hello Gary
I had left this thread but return now to respond to your reply to me and others listed:

I have watched with interest and awe at the passionate exchanges which you have conducted on theoretical and principled grounds, but I feel that you have largely strayed from the original topic. — Gary Enfield

Your debates were intriguing to watch but they were also the reason why I stayed out of the fray until now. — Gary Enfield

Straying from an OP is not unusual in a thread. I mentioned that I didn't want to go off track and also referenced the OP in my posts. At no point did you engage until now.

The discussion has been a valuable one and yes 'intriguing' but that is no reason to 'stay out of the fray'.
It has always been my understanding that whoever starts a thread has the responsibility to manage it. You must be willing to engage those who engage.

Instead of leaving the thread unattended and simply observing, there are options open to you:

1. Reply to posts which you don't consider relevant and request a return to the specifics of the OP.
2. Flag and report any such posts to the moderators.
3. If there is a significant but valuable move to another topic, then another thread can be started.
However, sometimes this disrupts the flow of a fascinating conversation; as such it may be tolerated.

I agree with @T Clark when he said that the thread was 'surprisingly on target with the OP given 142 posts. You abandoned the thread, not participating after the first couple. That is generally considered inconsiderate behavior.'

I hope that my response is seen as useful and constructive advice.

I have just thought of a question for people who think about, because I do like to ask questions. — Jack Cummins

:smile:
Yes, I think we all noticed that - and your way of bringing people and their ideas together in even a single thread is most appreciated.
I couldn't start and manage a thread without my brain splitting in half and me falling through the gap !
Talking of left and right hand brains...

I think it is wonderful that there are so many free online courses and resources for philosophy.
TPF has a Resources section you might find helpful.
Found under Categories > Learning Centre
https://thephilosophyforum.com/categories/27/resources

Best wishes in following the course :smile:

Strangely, the links worked for me — Jack Cummins

Yes. It was the link in Wayfarer's post re Hadot that didn't work for me.

like a gift from the divine. — Jack Cummins

Glad that you found the link to the free book useful !
The website index is quite remarkable.
https://terebess.hu/english/tao.html

A bit too good to be true. I hope it doesn't lead to any unwanted viruses or anything horrendous.
That would be devilish :naughty: and not so divine :halo:

... a bit erratic...it is intermittently unreachable. — Wayfarer

A bit like myself. I'll try again later...ta.

“seeing the ordinary folks all around me in the bakery, I [...] had the impression of having lived a month in another world, completely foreign to our world, and worse than this—totally unreal and even unlivable.” — Wayfarer

A lovely story. It's fortunate for us that Hadot could live in both worlds and appreciate simplicity as well as complexity.

..That said, Hadot devoted the rest of his career to 'philosophy as a way of life', and he sought to understand and teach those 'philosophical exercises' that enabled students to go through the inner transformation that he believes philosophy was originally about. (See entry here.) — Wayfarer

I was introduced to Hadot when following Marcus Aurelius. I bought but, as usual, haven't completed his book 'The Inner Citadel - the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius'.
I was also attracted to his 'philosophy as a way of life'.

Unfortunately, the link you provided didn't work for me. 'The site can't be reached'.

It is fascinating to read the different paths people have taken in their lives, their continuing interests.
An amazing amount of sharing.

Right now, I have started to read the Chuang Tzu or Zhuangzi.

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zhuangzi/

Free download from an extraordinary index and choice of translators here:
https://terebess.hu/english/tao/ChuangTzu-palmer.pdf
Also a kindle Penguin classic by Martin Palmer, £1.99 ! Usually £10.99.

Thanks to @Jack Cummins for starting this thread.
A quick reply to why the need for religious beliefs and ideas:
Because we're human.
Ideas are part of who we are, they're just there aren't they - part of the thinking process.
Not everyone has a need for a religious belief.
In my case, I was brought in to the Protestant Church as a baby, the christening ceremony.
My family were religious. At some point you start questioning. Turmoil can set in.
Long story short - reading philosophy and sharing ideas with others now seems to have become a need.
Although it can get a bit overwhelming at times, you can step away and go visit a bakery.
Possible even in this day of covid restrictions.
To walk and reflect in your own space...
That sounds good to me :smile:

Edit to add:
The IEP article is less dense than the SEP one. Also has a useful chart of the text showing where 'the further to the right the chapters are listed, the further away they are from the central ideas of the Zhuangzian philosophy of the Inner Chapters':

https://iep.utm.edu/zhuangzi/

I like the Sansrkit expression, being-knowing-bliss, sat-chit-ananda. In this compound, 'sat' is 'what is' meaning 'truth' not in the sense of 'a true proposition' but vision of the totality. This of course is generally alien to analytic philosophy, it's much more theosophical. — Wayfarer

A sign of the times. — Tom Storm

OK. Thanks to both for your different perspectives. I think I will leave it there for now.

All I am saying is that the scientific method remains the single most reliable pathway to truth. Can you name an alternative that can provide us with reliable knowledge about the world? — Tom Storm

I see that this thread has moved on apace since last I joined the party. Really informative and enjoyable posts :) For someone who has just stepped into the Philosophy of Science for the first time I appreciate
the clarity and ease of communication.
I will venture a response:

First - not really comfortable with the word 'truth'. How do you understand it ? Is it about getting things right or the reaching of a specific goal, a solution to a problem or knowledge of how the world is ?

From what I understand so far, the realist position is that evidence or measurable data is key.
So, we are talking about objective, quantitative elements. That is one way of knowing.
In this respect, I agree that scientific practices are powerful in informing us about e.g. viruses and vaccines. Certain truths about the natural world. Reliable in that it can be shown to work - a current and wonderful way to diagnose and help heal. But is it uniformly reliable across the board ?

Next - Can I name an alternative that can provide us with reliable knowledge about the world ?
Not immediately but that doesn't mean that there isn't one.

Is measurement the only way that scientists reach solutions to problems ?
If I look at the question from a different perspective.
From the goal of 'truth' to that of reaching a specific goal - a solution to a problem.

There are 7 examples of scientific discoveries made in dreams.
https://www.famousscientists.org/7-great-examples-of-scientific-discoveries-made-in-dreams/

The one I remember from previous studies is that of August Kekulé and the problem of how the atoms in benzene are arranged.

He began dreaming of atoms dancing. Gradually the atoms arranged themselves into the shape of a snake. Then the snake turned around and bit its own tail.

The image of the snake, tail in its mouth, continued to dance before his eyes. When Kekulé awoke, he realized what the dream had been telling him:

Benzene molecules are made up of rings of carbon atoms.

Understanding these aromatic rings opened up an enormously important new field of chemistry – aromatic chemistry – and a new understanding of chemical bonding. — The Doc

So, a different pathway - things that inspire geniuses from the subconscious.

Quantitative data collection and measurement is fine as a bedrock of scientific progress.
Qualitative, subjective elements also enter the picture.

The question arises as to whether a naturalist or materialist can account for subjective experience, that is consciousness. Clearly, we don't have a satisfactory explanation...yet.
Where the solution might come from...is probably science...but not necessarily so.

Do you mean "mystery" as in stuff we don't know yet or as in stuff that requires some special way of knowing? Or maybe stuff that is unknowable? — T Clark

Good question.
I don't know what @Gary Enfield meant by it. I should have asked before agreeing !
I had assumed ( sue me ! ) that it was stuff not possible to understand or explain right now.
We don't know.
Is there a likelihood of us gaining that knowledge in the future ?
Qui sait ?
* Gallic shrug *
I suppose I like to think anything is possible but...

What do you think ?

Good to see you back in full fun form :smile:

I remember you !
From:
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/3098/word-of-the-day-not-to-be-mistaken-for-word-de-jour-
And elsewhere.

Anothe comeback kid :smile:

Hey, thank you. That's so kind. Being ignored feels awful indeed! — TaySan

Great that T Clark picked up that your Introduction hadn't been responded to.

While doing an online philosophy course I felt the desire to join a community. To talk about the world as it is today — TaySan

What kind of an online course ? And yes, it is always a good idea to supplement a course just as you are doing. Is this the only opportunity you have to chat about philo stuff you are interested in ?

I was wondering if there was an Introduction subforum anywhere on this site - so that posts could be seen and responded to quickly by eg a moderator.

It must be disheartening to feel ignored.
So, here's another Welcome to the forum :smile: