I understand philosophy as a performative and noncognitive exercise. Neither "truth" nor "relativism" obtain with respect to it as creating criteria or methods for discernment is a/the basic function of philosophy. In the end, I agree, choice of a philosophy is dispositional and not propositional because, as Pierre Hadot reminds us, it is/ought to be a way of life (which cultivates flourishing (eudaimonia) according to one's 'needs'). That there is more than one path up the mountain is pluralism and not "relativism". — 180 Proof
Philosophy's sine qua non "purpose" I've found is both (meta-cognitively) hygenic & fitness-maintaining, that is, to unlearn self-immiserating, unwise (i.e. foolish, stupid ~ maladaptive) habits ... — 180 Proof
These days, late in middle age, my 'holy trinity' (mana) consists of philosophy, music and long walks. — 180 Proof
I see this as a performative contradiction in how to determine those criteria are mostly doctrinal. Unless you mean this as pure egotism?)I understand philosophy as a performative and noncognitive exercise. Neither "truth" nor "relativism" obtain with respect to it as creating criteria or methods for discernment is a/the basic function of philosophy. — 180 Proof
Philosophy's sine qua non "purpose" I've found is both (meta-cognitively) hygenic & fitness-maintaining, that is, to unlearn self-immiserating, unwise (i.e. foolish, stupid ~ maladaptive) habits ... — 180 Proof
I understand philosophy as a performative and noncognitive exercise. Neither "truth" nor "relativism" obtain with respect to it as creating criteria or methods for discernment is a/the basic function of philosophy. In the end, I agree, choice of a philosophy is dispositional and not propositional because, as Pierre Hadot reminds us, it is/ought to be a way of life (which cultivates flourishing (eudaimonia) according to one's 'needs'). That there is more than one path up the mountain is pluralism and not "relativism". — 180 Proof
Personally I'm not attracted to systems and theories and schools of thought and prefer to just get on and do things, knowing full well that we all absorb and employ philosophical ideas (often a kind of mosaic of incoherence) just by living in the world. I have no need to hold truth or grasp eternity and just want the years to go by as pleasantly as possible whilst being of some use to others in a way that satisfies my own standards of virtue. Perhaps this is why 180's notion of philosophy as a performative and noncognitive exercise resonates with me. — Tom Storm
so that philosophical self-cultivation isn't mere "egotism", as you say, because the benefits are intrinsic as positive feedback from non-reciprocally – non-instrumentally, that is, without extrinsic benefit or recompense for – cultivating and/or caring for others.[T]he function of ethics is reflective inquiry into (as well as empirical studies and artistic expressions of) practices which prevent increasing or reduce misery (harm, dehumanization) of others in order, more likely than not, to prevent increasing or reduce one's own misery. — 180 Proof
Developing conceptual criteria (or a practical method) isn't any more "cognitive" than assembling a toolkit for, say, ripping out & installing a new bathroom. A criterion, as I understand it, is useful for making types of judgments, and is not "true" (or "good" or "beautiful") itself. Witty's forms-of-life, no?When you say that philosophy is about establishing a criteria through a performative or non-cognitive method, then doesn't that mean that a type of cognitivism is required to formulate such a criteria or method as a way of life? — Shawn
I can only go by what I do which is muddle through. If I had anything to guide me it is the Golden Rule - a version of which has been conceived by just about every religious and ethical system — Tom Storm
...30 years of working in the area of addiction and mental health services. A key responsibility for sustaining any worker who is supporting people in crisis - suicidal ideation, sexual abuse, substance misuse, psychosis- is reflective practice. The worker who doesn't examine their own assumptions about themselves (their understanding of meaning and culture for instance) while they assist others may (amongst other problematic end results) succumb to burn out...
In short; examining yourself - being aware of the systems you and the person you are supporting are in, and the beliefs that underpin your choices and actions - is just as beneficial to others as it is to yourself. — Tom Storm
I can identify stoicism as a way of living that has most influenced my life. In essence, discerning what is under one's control or not is of supreme importance for one's psychological barometer, as I have a tendency to monitor — Shawn
Developing conceptual criteria (or practical method) isn't any more "cognitive" than assembling a toolkit for, say, ripping out & installing a new bathroom. A criterion, as I understand it, is useful for making types of judgments, and not "true" (or "good" or "beautiful") itself. Witty's forms-of-life, no? — 180 Proof
criteria are used to facilitate, even regulate, discursive practices; they are tools for specific tasks however they are acquired. — 180 Proof
And "ought to be cognitive" – why? — 180 Proof
I don't think someone can have an opinion on the value of philosophy as a way of life, if he has not lived such a life and for quite some time. Only philosophers, dedicated to this field of study can talk about this. — Alkis Piskas
So what's your point? — 180 Proof
It does seem that philosophy as a way of life is important to profess or has value rather than not. Values seem important but are encapsulated in how we spend our time pursuing different ends. Is it really a matter of preference as I think your implicitly stating? — Shawn
Preference over what? (Preference refers to at least two items from which we like one more than another.) — Alkis Piskas
Anyway, as I read the topic again, there's also another question that arises: "Value for whom?" The society, the philosopher himself or both? — Alkis Piskas
Speaking from personal experience, I can identify stoicism as a way of living that has most influenced my life. In essence, discerning what is under one's control or not is of supreme importance for one's psychological barometer, as I have a tendency to monitor. — Shawn
It's very confusing to live without knowing where my beliefs about my behavior start and end in relation to my-self and what effects it has on my affect in the world. — Shawn
Along these lines, I have had an idea about what is the greatest net benefit to society apart from wealth, that is "intelligence" (under a veil of ignorance!). — Shawn
My understanding is that for one to enjoy life one needs to reify the medium under which its progression happens. In clearer terms this would consist of personality, experience, and, wisdom, which manifest in rational and sound beliefs about oneself and the surroundings they willingly choose to inhabit. — Shawn
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