On the other hand, the truth of string theory in physics is not somewhere in the middle. The theory either works or it doesn't. — Bitter Crank
There are no "two sides" to a murder spree. — Bitter Crank
To say that the truth is always in the middle seems to be contradictory, doesnt it? — rickyk95
I do not have a position on Newtonian Mechanics vs. Quantum Mechanics. Sorry. — Bitter Crank
A murder spree is a murder spree and war is war. — Bitter Crank
If the French Resistance shot 10 Nazi officials one day in occupied Paris, neither the Nazis nor the Resistance should call it murder (though the Germans might want to tell the story that way). — Bitter Crank
But is it always like that? — Pierre-Normand
So, what I know about string theory could be written on the back of a postage stamp in none-too-small lettering. Any thoughts I have about string theory are fourth hand and not worth your time. — Bitter Crank
No. — Bitter Crank
The indeterminate nature of so many questions is real enough, but it doesn't mean the answer is "somewhere in the middle" (though, of course, that's where it might be). — Bitter Crank
Madhyamaka has a mathematical counterpart, to wit ZERO sitting exactly in the middle between positive and negative numbers. And doesn't that resonate with sunyata? — TheMadFool
But śūnyatā doesn't actually mean 'nothing', it is a more subtle idea than that. — Wayfarer
How would you explain the concept of sunyata to a child? — TheMadFool
I don't think you would.
Buddhists certainly recognize freedom of choice but they also undertake to observe the dharma. — Wayfarer
sunyata philosophy everything is acceptable - a no-holds-barred game — TheMadFool
Actually, Buddhists have a name for that view. It's called 'total bullshit'. It's a very common affliction amongst decadent Westerners. You're just totally, like, you know, wallowing in your own ego. — Wayfarer
It is when you realize that there's nothing you become truly free. What follows then is a choice you make on your own terms, devoid of external influences - to be good for no reason whatever. This is beautiful. — TheMadFool
If someone choses to act well (in a moral sense) for no reason at all, then what would be the measure of her action according to which it isn't seen to be deviating from goodness into some gratuitous cruel or unjust behavior? If you chose to act well -- or to be good -- "on your own terms", as you say, then your own understanding of goodness, as distinguished from evil, provides your reason for acting. — Pierre-Normand
Perhaps I chose the wrong words. What I mean is that we can, from sunyata, realize that to do good we shouldn't have an ulterior motive e.g. attaining nirvana or salvation etc. Simply be good. — TheMadFool
What I mean is that we can, from sunyata, realize that to do good we shouldn't have an ulterior motive e.g. attaining nirvana or salvation etc. Simply be good. — TheMadFool
Simply be good. — TheMadFool
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.