• Banno
    25.1k
    philosophyClub1.jpg

    So... what is the first rule of Philosophy Club?
  • _db
    3.6k
    Rule number one: Don't ever philosophize while under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs.
  • Pneumenon
    469
    If we could agree on the first rule, there would be no need for philosophy club...
  • Baden
    16.3k
    The first rule is that the rule that can be spoken is not the first rule.
  • Hanover
    12.9k
    We should dispense with the formality of trying to make rules and move right to the business of insulting one another.
  • Baden
    16.3k
    The second rule is no Hanovers. Or maybe that should be the first rule?
  • Cavacava
    2.4k


    "This is your life and its ending one moment at a time.”
  • yazata
    41
    The first rule might arguably be, 'Treat the opinions of philosophers merely as suggestions for further discussion, not as religious-style revelations that must be accepted merely on the philosopher's authority'. (That includes you too, Wittgenstein.)

    That particular first rule probably applies self-referentially to the rule itself. Which might be why philosophers rarely seem to progress from A to B.
  • Baden
    16.3k
    I think I have it worked out now :

    The first rule is that the first rule is a paradox so ignore it.
    The second rule is no Hanovers.
    The third rule is "Thou shalt not kill" (except in the case that that conflicts with the second rule).

    You're welcome.
  • TimeLine
    2.7k
    The first rule is that the first rule is a paradox so ignore it.
    The second rule is no Hanovers.
    The third rule is "Thou shalt not kill" (except in the case that that conflicts with the second rule).
    Baden

    So there are no rules?
  • Shawn
    13.2k
    I see this as a perversion of philosophy and Wittgenstein. As if rules were needed prior to the use of reason and ethics.
  • unenlightened
    9.2k
    I see this as a perversion of philosophy and Wittgenstein. As if rules were needed prior to the use of reason and ethics.Question

    So the first rule is that philosophy club shall be anarchic or perverse?

    I would give my vote to

    1. Play nice.
  • Shawn
    13.2k
    So the first rule is that philosophy club shall be anarchic or perverse?unenlightened

    Whereof one cannot speak, thereof things must be shown in action.
  • BC
    13.6k
    Rules? We don't need no stinking rules.

    paraphrase from Blazing Saddles
  • Banno
    25.1k
    It's all going swimmingly, isn't it!
  • Wosret
    3.4k
    There are currently over eight thousand rules of philosophy club, and I of course cannot expound them all here, and will rather do so arbitrarily when it suits me, and if I happen to give two rules with the same number, then that just means that I forgot to mention that it was section B of the rule, or whatever.

    First rule of philosophy club is to always operate within the rules, of which I'm the sole arbiter.
  • Shawn
    13.2k
    Yeah but who enforces the rules?
  • Wosret
    3.4k


    Honour code. Have you no honour!
  • TimeLine
    2.7k
    Honour code.Wosret

    What is honour code?
  • Wosret
    3.4k


    You know, we shame each other into it.
  • TimeLine
    2.7k
    So we turn on each other. Fair deuce, was right.
  • Sir2u
    3.5k
    #1 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
    unless they disagree with your ideas
    then shoot them.
  • TimeLine
    2.7k
    "Love thy neighbour as thyself. Unless he's Turkish, in which case kill the bastard!" King Richard.
  • Noble Dust
    7.9k
    Isn't the first rule of philosophy club to not talk about philosophy club?...
  • Michael
    15.6k
    Isn't the first rule of philosophy club to not talk about philosophy club?...Noble Dust

    Given that rules, insofar as they can be understood, can only be understood by how the community of rule followers participates in the activities involved in the rule, and given that we're all talking about philosophy club, then no.
  • Noble Dust
    7.9k


    I was referring to Fight Club...
  • Michael
    15.6k
    I was referring to Fight Club...Noble Dust

    Dude, the first rule of Fight Club is to not talk about Fight Club. Now we're both disqualified.
  • Cavacava
    2.4k
    Perhaps there are just definitions.
  • Banno
    25.1k
    Not "Do undo others before they undo you"?
  • Moliere
    4.7k
    It seems to me that there is no the first rule -- but rather, there are first rules. And depending on which first rule you state first that has a kind of guiding force on what follows.


    The first rule of philosophy club is "know yourself" -- followed hastily by "but not just yourself"
  • Cavacava
    2.4k
    Many clubs have presidents, and/or other people who make necessary decisions for the club as a whole. I suspect that it is due to undesirable behavior that rules are formed, and that only a strong president, a sovereign can make an exception to established rules.
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