Aesthetic sensibility and contemplation is perhaps the only means that the layman [short of a whole-man] has, to be free [even if temporarily] from this horror that he/she calls living. When we say “only means”, we are excluding the self-forgetfulness [ that comes from the use of drugs, alcohol, sex, religion, pursuit of knowledge, pursuit of wealth, affiliations, and the numerous egoic pursuits we have devised to escape from the inherent pessimism that affects all ], asall of them have side-effects. — skyblack
what constitutes a correct aesthetic experience — skyblack
I'm looking forward to finding out if I am doing it correctly. — T Clark
There are a lot of people here on the forum who think it is self-evident that everyone lives a life as described by Thoreau - full of quiet desperation. I keep having to tell them that it isn't true for all of us. It's not true of me and others here and in the world in general. Some of the things you have listed as ways of forgetting - sex, knowledge, and friendship (what you call affiliations) in particular - are not that at all. They can be a necessary part of a full satisfying life. Appreciation of music, visual art, literature, movies, and television can also belong in that group. And philosophy. Aesthetics is not some special, wonderful way of escaping our despair. It is, as are the other members of the group I've described, a way of increasing our self-awareness. — T Clark
During my initial days in this forum, when you had come to me with your baits, i had told you, it is not my job to educate you or anyone else.Nothing has changed in that sentiment.
As for the silliness of the first paragraph in your post, my attitude towards the usage of my time and energy, in responding to objections (provided it stems from genuine inquiry, NA in your case), is pretty well documented. So you won't get any rebuttals. All i will say is, carry on. — skyblack
So, what you're saying is that you don't have a good response to my respectful and responsive comment so you'll ignore it. — T Clark
That bait may work on amateurs, but better people than you have tired to glean from me.So far they have been unsuccessful. An absence of deception, is a pre-requisite for any genuine, sincere, and serious inquiry, all of which NA in your case. — skyblack
Again, my comment was sincere and responsive. I believe the things I wrote and they contradict some of what you put in your OP. I don't see how you can consider that baiting. You set out some assumptions for the discussion. I commented that I don't think some of them are valid. — T Clark
I base my responses (to you) on the history of your conduct, with me as well as with others. I base it on observations. — skyblack
Then your best action would have been to ignore what I wrote, but you wanted to be all snooty and stuff. Just as your best response now will be to ignore this post. I'm curious whether you can do that. — T Clark
So again,carry on. — skyblack
So I read your OP and T Clark's response and I did find his response fairly accurate in describing my thoughts. I disagree with him somewhat in that I didn't find your attitude just dismissive or even snooty, but more so intentional, reminding one of an aspiring cult leader.
You solicit the despondent with vague descriptions of existential doubt, you offer a solution you vaguely reference as aestheticism, and you refuse to explain what it is, wanting us to believe you possess this mysterious answer.
So, either tell us your secret or stop telling us you have one. — Hanover
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