Comments

  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    A lot of what is happening in Britain, and other parts of the world is about resources. There is some difference between the monetary figures of economics and how it translates into material resources. But, a large part of the problem is the way of life which Western civilisation has come to expect is unsustainable.

    It is not simply about politicians trying to deprive people but about tough decisions in thinking about the future. The cost of the welfare state and NHS is tremendous but people are reliant upon it. So, what can be done is a conundrum. How to manage it fairly is difficult, especially in an age in which digital technology plays such a role. The basic needs of people for food, housing and essentials may get missed and it is likely that there is so much wastage of resources. There is a need for resources to be shared and it is likely that a need to go beyond capitalism and socialism needs to occur to address the nitty gritty economic realities which lie ahead.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    How much allowance is made for people who can't do digital is so variable in public organisations. For example, I have heard of people who have been cut off from the benefits system as a result of losing a phone.

    You seem extremely optimistic about any political agenda. I do not wish to be completely negative but see so much as being questionable. I see the need for people to be heard and fear that democracy is decreasing.

    I am aware that you are writing from the USA. The versions we hear of news in both countries is likely to be filtered differently. This may be especially true at the present time where tensions between world leaders are extremely fraught. The relationship between Trump and Starmer is critical in this, especially with negotiations about Ukraine/Russia and Trump's tariffs.

    I see what happens next as being fairly complex and may depend on who is involved or left out in the dialogues. It is with this intention that I wrote the thread, although it is likely that discussion here is of minimal significance in the power structures of political discourse.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    There has been no talk of co-payment but what is starting to happen is in the form of inequalities, whether intentional or not.

    In particular, many GPs require everything to be done on-line and requiring certain apps. Not everyone can access such resources or use them, especially the most vulnerable groups, meaning that they are in danger of being marginalised, or even excluded.

    Also, GP appointments can be grabbed by the most healthy and denied to those who are most unwell. That is the likely reason why so many people are presenting at A and E departments. This will need to be addressed for effective change, as opposed to random community visits, which may ignore many less visible people.

    As I see it, so much is being rushed through by the government. Such haste may be extremely disastrous and costly, leading to potential collapse of the NHS.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    I am not opposed to change or restructuring in itself. However, what does seem to be happening is that the pace of changes does not allow for so much unpredictability and uncertainty in life. The NHS in England had been restructured and was making so many changes before the pandemic. After Covid hit, so much was hit by cost. That is the main reason why the NHS is in crisis. So much is intended to save money, especially job cuts. Also, without being negative it is hard to know what will happen with the plan for the government to have more direct control over decision making.

    In addition, so much change, in the NHS and other organisations is focused around technology being introduced. The people involved in such organisations are being trained in technology and policy. What may be lacking is the value of human individuality in this. In particular, communication skills and listening may be lacking in such processes, especially as staff are so busy on machines and computers.
  • Metaphysics as Poetry

    There was a thread on 'The Metaphysics of Poetry', started by @Gus Lamarch a few years ago, which you may find worth reading. I see the topic as important because it comes down to the nature of linguistics as evolutionaryhuman expression vs the idea of the qualia of ideas 'out there'.

    One other area which I am slightly but not entirely familiar with is the way in which Wittgenstein's ideas have been developed as a basis for poetry. Generally, I see the dialogue between poets and philosophy as a fantastic area for exploring the nature of imagination. Also, it is likely that the philosophers can learn so much from poets and vice versa.
  • Beyond the Pale
    2
    A sound bridge between rationality and emotive morality may be useful. That is because without the rational, we may end up with 'herd instinct'. Morality based on rationality or emotion alone may too narrow in scope.
  • Beyond the Pale

    I do not deny Nietzsche's argument or the issues of relativism. Nevertheless, what may be happening is a 'fashion' or slippery rope argument whereby the right to express hatred is being justified.
  • Beyond the Pale

    I see your argument as possible logical but questionable from a deeper philosophical point of view. Here, I am wondering about philosophy as being about the pursuit of wisdom for living. After cultural relativism and postmodernism there has been a shift to philosophy as rhetoric, alongside a fragmentation of values.
  • Beyond the Pale

    The problem which I see with the idea of 'beyond the pale' is that it is culturally and historically relative. Also, it may depend on situational contexts.

    For example, I am aware of how what is considered appropriate or not varies on a written forum to face to face groups which I attend. On the forum, certain remarks are unacceptable, such as racism but in philosophy discussion poor or low quality argument are key issues. In face to face interaction, factors like racism and sexism are also unacceptable but the focus is more about sensitivity rather than formulation of arguments.

    While there are unclear markers of ''beyond the pale' vs 'the unacceptable', one possible measure which holds up to rationality is the idea of respect for others in general.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?
    I am sure that some who read my thread may be unsympathetic about my groans about the NHS and welfare state. However, have one big grouse, which I think is significant. I came out of hospital after having pneumonia and I finding it difficult to get a face to face appointment for follow-up care because I got discharged within hours of coming off oxygen. I am fearful that without face to face aftercare I may end up back in hospital.

    The underlying issue which I see is how so many aspects of the system are reliant on online apps etc. In particular, I need a 'fit note' for the DWP and it is unclear from my discussion with a receptionist if this can be done at the face to face appointment or has to be done separately using certain apps. It also requires Zoom and this doesn't work where I am living because of a poor signal where I live .

    So, I am fearing both benefits being stopped and ending up in hospital again if cannot get necessary medical care. It is so stressful, affecting both my physical and mental health and seems to be about a system where almost everything has been put in the hands of Gov. UK websites, which were introduced so much during the time of lockdown.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    Sorry that I have taken a while getting back to you. I agree that population is an issue but I am a little confused by your stance. That is because in England, at least, the problem is such a large population rather than the problem of the population not growing. This is partly due to medicine having increased life expectancy and social care needs previously. That is one of the reasons why age for retirement has been increased for men and women, and will continue to be increased.

    Nevertheless, while life expectancy has increased previously, health is variable and many are unlikely to be fit enough to sustain employment until the official retirement age.

    There is so much medical technology and pharmaceuticals but it is costly. The NHS and welfare state are at breaking point because of mass population. Amidst this, it is that many are not receiving what they need amidst the cost and chaos. Individuals are becoming mere numbers, with some gaining what they need while some are being thrown into deprivation.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    There is probably a degree of functional of the 'unemployed', but it might have gone to the extent of dysfunctionality. This is when it is alongside many people signed off as long-term sick. With the latter group, there is so much debate as to people abusing the system, to opt out, or being ill genuinely. Both of these call into question the nature of 'work'. It is both the source of money for survival and about service, especially meaningful service. The idea of work to serve others and to find meaning may have been cast aside as people are expected to function and compete with machines. The value of the human may have become lost.

    As far as scapegoating is concerned, which may include the unenemployed, mentally ill and other groups, it is not very progressive. So many are critical of wokeism but the idea of scapegoating as an asset of mass psychology can be criticised strongly being about the darker side of human nature. Rationality could lead to a deeper understanding and move beyond scapegoating and its projective processes in social groups.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    The fragmentation of community may be a contributing factor to problems, especially isolation as so much is done alone, on-line. Such isolation may foster self-centerdness because it involves living in an egoistic bubble. Lockdowns created isolation, which affected mental health on a long term basis and in the midst of lockdown there was such a transition to virtual life which may be creating many kinds of problems.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    It is a big problem that so many people are relying on benefits, especially due to mental and physical problems.

    I am in the category whereby I am unemployed, considered fit for work, with no restrictions. However, I got so ill physically with a chest infection that I ended up in hospital with a chest infection and on oxygen. I had to report being in hospital to the DWP and was meant to provide a 'fit note' within 7 days. I am out of hospital but not fully well, needing to get to a GP for paperwork, but too unwell to travel to GP presently, especially as I am not managing to get one locally. A lot of problems stem from almost everything being done online, with artificial intelligence involved.

    Finding work is not easy either. I apply for jobs all the time and often get no responses or unhelpful ones. In particular, I get sent spam from organisations that I apply for, such as jobs in other cities far away or with job requirements I don't have. So many of the 'middle' range jobs are vanishing in the information era. There is the option of applying for lower positions but when I do I usually get rejected or hear nothing.

    Also, with the whole idea of getting the long- term sick back to work, part of the problem is that in a competitive society, preference is given to the most able. Employers don't admit to discrimination but it happens. There is also a trend towards what are considered to be Equal Opportunities details, which used to be separated and anonymous, being included in the main section, which means that discrimination can begin at the application stage.

    The whole emphasis on getting people back to work often rests on assumptions about laziness. It ignores the way in which physical and mental health problems affect performance. Attempts to get the unemployed and long-term sick back to work need to go beyond telling people that work is good for them. Working may often help but it also causes stress, just as being expected to survive without financial resources impacts upon health.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    As the world (as we know it is 'being dismantled, there no universal consensus about morality and what is acceptable. This was drawn from postmodern analysis and culture relativism. However, that doesn't mean necessarily that ideas of human rights and economic ethics are insignificant and meaningless. What do you think about this?
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    I agree that so much is historically traceable. The privatations of the Thatcher years were significant.

    It is extremely important to note how life expectancy may be decreasing, especially in certain areas. I am wondering how far this problem which is occurring will develop, especially for certain vulnerable groups. Also, so much has changed after Covid and the cost of living crisis. More children are living in poverty increasingly. Quality of life for people in Britain, which used to be a wealthy nation, is diminishing rapidly, with some so much more affected than others. The gulf between the rich and poor is widening and this probably corresponds with poor health.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    I agree that initiatives need to be started and ones that are innovative as opposed to punitive. The problem may be that the needs of the people, as opposed to those in power, need to be addressed.
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    The blaming on gays and foreigners are part of the problem of unhelpful propaganda. More recently, in England the blame is on the unemployed and people who are disabled or unwell mentally. It is a targeting of those who are less powerful.

    I am aware that many may view the 'nanny' element of welfare as an imposition, especially with the idea of taxes. Nevertheless, the English welfare state has been modelled by so many other nations. In Western society, the emphasis on individualism and loss of community, means that without such welfare many would just die on the streets.

    This is starting to happen in England, especially as deaths of the homeless are not recorded any longer. Invisible underclasses are developing. Of course, many have become dependent on the welfare state, used and abused it and stretched it to breaking point. But, one critical factor is what happens now when so many jobs are vanishing as tasks once performed by humans are being done by machines. How are those without work, especially those whose work abilities are restricted by health conditions expected to survive?
  • British Politics (Fixing the NHS and Welfare State): What Has Gone Wrong?

    The problem is that ideas like the young should stay away from GPs are such sweeping generalisations. The young can become very sick, not just mentally but physically.

    Also, the notion that only the sickest should be using GPs involve a culture of fixing very severe problems. If problems are identified early, far less extreme treatment measures may be needed. There is also the idea of health promotion, but this can sometimes lapse into mere prescriptive advice rather than looking at underlying needs and issues.

    Getting to the route of inequalities and poor health is going to be a key factor. The idea of staff going door to door in deprived areas seems going but it may be a bit hit and miss. Some people will not be home and it misses the need to address those who are seeking help. There was the idea of walk-in clinics and part of the problem was that they were overused. This points to GP surgeries and the NHS being at breaking point, especially in densely populated areas.

    One aspect which is vital is for the link between deprivation, poverty and poor health to be addressed fully. Those with lack of money are less able to care for themselves fully, especially if they are struggling to buy food which is healthy and other essentials. This comes down to the lowest rungs of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
  • More Sophisticated, Philosophical Accounts of God

    I certainly see problematic aspects of theism, especially the whole emphasis on 'sin', including original sin and sexuality. I come from a background of being troubled by fundamentalist Christians preaching to me.

    As for the idea of 'magic' and metaphysics that is a little different. As you and probably others on the forum are aware, I navigated a lot of my angst over religion, not by atheism or theism but by the writing of Carl Jung. Some have criticised Jung for being an atheist and others, for him being too sympathetic with the idea of 'God'. The problem which I see with Jung is something ambiguity between an emphasis on the 'supernatural' and 'nature'.

    Of course, Jung's ideas were developed in the last century when the dialogue between science, religion and science were in need of so much reconciliation. This may be what is happening and still needed in 21st Century thinking. One book which I found to be important was Lyall Watson's 'Supernature', which was written in the 20th Century, because it looks at the concept of the supernatural, demystying it. The supernatural, and magic, is often seen as being separate from nature. This may be the problem and that magic is about patterns and connections, and there being more to sensory (or extrasensory) perception than Cartesian-Newtonian thinkers have acknowledged.
  • More Sophisticated, Philosophical Accounts of God

    The idea of cosmic consciousness is also compatible with Taoism. It was during Christendom, that a firm definitive idea of believers vs non-believers grew, with an emphasis on outlawing heretics. Then, this definitive division was stepped into by science, especially the debate between materialism and idealism. Those who see beyond these, whether they call themselves atheists, theists, or whatever, may have a more expansive approach to the questions of 'truth'.
  • More Sophisticated, Philosophical Accounts of God

    Your thread topic seems a worthy area of discussion. I come from the perspective of having been raised as a strong believer in God, which I questioned so much. My current position is more of a non-dualist, seeing theism and atheism as deficient and that doesn't mean agnosticism necessarily.

    I do have some sympathy with Tillich's idea of 'ground of Being' and see it as compatible with Eastern metaphysics, especially Buddhism. There is so much black and white, definitive attempts to answer the issue of God in a clear cut way,. In particular, atheists often attack the most crude arguments for theism as opposed to being open to more in depth analysis. Tillich's idea of God as 'ground of being' has more depth than anthromorphism, because it goes beyond the idea of God as a Being as disembodied. His thinking may also be compatible with the thinking of Schopenhauer and Spinoza. It goes beyond the neat boxes of labelling as theist/ atheism of tick box culture.
  • We’re Banning Social Media Links
    I am extremely pleased that such links are being banned as people kept posting them to me. I think that it led to some viruses on my Software and this has been one of the reasons I have steered away from the forum a bit because there has been so much linking to other sites and to 'You Tube' recently. I didn't come here to watch 'You Tube' and videos, especially as some take a while. It feels like an obligation to watch it before replying and I prefer reading.

    Also, I prefer if people can summarise ideas as part of an argument, as opposed to just including what appears to be a chunk of undiigested ideas Sometimes, people don't back them up with an argument and it feels mere chunk of undigested information.

    As far as links to other threads, including much older ones, I am unclear whether links to this site will be acceptable or not. I have never done this, but I do know people often do this because they don't wish to repeat themselves. Of course, it is possible to refer to threads by name and give the page number of a specific post. If someone is interested enough, it is easy to search for past threads.
  • POLL: Power of the state to look in and take money from bank accounts without a warrant

    This is an aspect of UK life which I find so worrying and leads me to believe that the UK is becoming an experiment in authoritarian totalitarianism. The biggest problem is that such interventions are on the basis of 'suspicion of fraud' as opposed to proof of it. The DWP makes so many mistakes and this is going to be a potential area for great disaster and a means by which the state can just take anyone's money.

    So many individuals and organisations, including banks are opposed. Nevertheless, it is being pushed through by the current government alongside an agenda of many reforms aimed at giving increasing power to the state.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    I have looked at the thread and the book sounds interesting. I particularly wonder about conspiracy theories as myths which are influential. Of course, they compete with so many myths in the context of relativism.

    At one point, the myths arising from Christianity were so strong. In particular, the idea of apocalypse had so much influence, including on Ronald Reagan. This all came into play with so much expectation of the end of the world at 2000. The end didn't happen but 20 years on the world seems more fragile than end. The reality of climate change may hover as the major threat of an 'inevitable'. I remember when discussing the postmodernist ideas of 'end of history' in conjunction with the threat of the end of civilisation on this forum some saw such an end as almost inevitable. Part of the problem is that so many different systems of thought and worldviews contribute to mythic beliefs in 'doom and gloom' impact and this may be having a negative impact on intersubjective thinking and actions in the world.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    Your way of differentiating between predictions and self-fulfilling prophesies is worth considering. Predictions are careful calculations. The potential to turn them into actions is more complex, unless one has a sense of the inevitability of destiny. For example, a nihilistic approach to what is likely to happen may affect it, as in hopelessness and giving up. It may involve the fight or flight mode and the way we face obstacles and adversity.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    I am speaking of the transmogrication of fear into monsters on a metaphorical level. It is like inner demons. But such forces have a numinous power in effects.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    Do you not think that the mythic has any power on outer life?Of course, every human being only has so much power and influence.

    One aspect of the influence is positivity and negativity in the social sphere. I know that others respond so differently according to my own mindset. If I am in a negative mood it impacts on my relationships and outer life. Mindset may have a real affect in influencing so much which happens in outer life. It also has the power to demoralise or inspire others. It creates ripple consequences.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    I am a believer in Jung's idea of synchronicity and have written on this site about it. The idea of synchronicity is about meaningful connections rather than causal ones. The patterns are observed by human consciousness. I first came across it when I was about 16 or 17 when I read Jung's autobiography and found it extremely helpful for making sense of inner experiences.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    The inner world may be an important source and connection to imagination, whether this is seen as God or in a more secular view. I do have some sympathy for what Plato describes as the 'daimon', or higher self. You seem to dismiss prayer, prophecy, which alongside medication which may be essential aspects of the finetuning of subconscious depths. I am a little surprised by this as you write fiction which draws on mythic dimensions.

    My understanding of prophecy is that it involves seeing patterns and correspondences. For example, astrology was about seeing reflections in the stars. I am a great believer in synchronicity. I also see parallels between inner and outer reality rather than dreams as being simply about the personal. We are all aspects of the cosmic web and are interconnected as systems within systems, the macrocosm and the microcosm.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    I know that positive psychology is a strong movement, alongside cognitive techniques and mindfulness meditation. This is in contrast to psychoanalytical based therapies, which dig beneath the surface for past traumas. Both may have value and be complementary. Perhaps we need to rise above negativity into the positive but awareness of the negative sources is important.

    It is probably the same with news, which I find a source of stress. We need to know what is going on in the world to be prepared but not let all the problems in the world become overwhelming.

    One thing which I find is that some negative experiences may be an important stage in development. For example, I have a virus (which may or not be Covid) and it may be nature's way of allowing me to take time out and reflect. Even accidents may be about wake up calls from one's higher self, and I think that was how Bob Dylan viewed his motorbike accident many years ago. When I have broken bones, the recovery period can be seen as a way of drawing upon one's own inner resources in a positive way, which is about working with 'black swans'. For example, when I broke my elbow a couple of years ago, it was during this time that I rekindled my love of drawing which I had lost for about 5 years.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?
    @Hanover (I have had to reply this way as the reply feature on the site won't work for some reason.)

    l will try to keep positive but do struggle to do so. I swing from extremes of negativity and positivity generally. I actually think that I have developed Covid in the last couple of days, which doesn't help. That is why I haven't replied to some of the posts above at the moment...
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    The idea of 'confirmation bias' works better than 'prophesy' in some ways. That is because there is a lot of seeing so much as reflecting one's inherent beliefs. The one aspect of it as self- prophesy is as less static than confirmation bias. Belief may spiral and change within the processes of prophesies translating into what becomes manifest.

    I can see why you see the idea of self-prophesy as evoking a conception of 'magic'. Ancient civilisations spoke of the 'evil eye' and 'voodoo'. Such perspectives were too concrete but that is not to deny that it is possible to kill through the transmission of negative subliminal messages . Of course, this would be the extreme end of a spectrum of less dire influence.

    As regard to 'hope' versus 'faith', hope may be like the spark amidst darkness as a way through. I just wonder if it is too wishy washy and empty, like in Pandora's box. Faith is more affirmative about a mindset of achieving desired outcomes.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    It sounds as if you think that the idea of self-fulfilling prophesy makes sense in connection with life choices. I do too and see it as where phenomenology and existential choice come together.

    Your idea of 'codes', especially in conjunction with history is also pertinent. It is about subtext and subliminal messages. It can be used by leaders and organisations as a form of manipulation, in advertising and the manufacturing of news. It is an aspect of 'dark psychology' and politics.

    I am sure that many may dismiss the significance of such 'dark psychology' as of importance as a worthy philosophy concern. However, I see it as central to individual wellbeing and the future of the world. It can involve breaking of personal spirit and will. Too much 'bad news', especially in the form of news and social media may give rise to nihilism. Also, it may lead to 'mental illness', and physical illness, which has some psychosomatic basis.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?
    I originally wrote this and shelved it in the lounge shortly afterwards, as I saw my post as incomplete. However, I have brought it back into the main section as I received some helpful replies. I also updated the title for clarity.

    I was going to use the words 'faith and fear' in title today. However, that might lead to some confusion because I noticed a new thread on 'what is faith?'. That thread is extremely different from mine because it looks more at faith in a religious context, as opposed to fear vs faith on an existential basis.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    Beliefs, including self belief, have such a determining role. It is central to a sense of empowerment and autonomy. This is recognised by the cognitive behavioral thinkers.

    The whole idea of mindset was also expressed in the thinkers of the tradition of the 'law of attraction'. This tradition may be dismissed as 'folk wisdom' or pseudoscience. This may be related to lack of experimental proof and dismissal of what works, or does not, pragmatically.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?

    Your consideration of the idea of prophecy and prediction in connection with the nature of 'self- fulfilling prophecy' is very important. It does go back to the Old Testament times and comes with an element of belief in divination. Even those, such as Nostradamus, who predicted so much trouble around the time of the millennium, before and after, were believing in some kind of precognitive experiences. Many people do speak of such experiences, including precognitive dreams. There is the tension between such imaginary speculation and more 'scientific' aspects of prediction.

    The factors involved in prediction which you mention are very important. But one book which I have found to be of significance is 'The Black Swan' by Nichols Taleb. His understanding of the irregularities of uncertainty is how the 'black swans' can be drawn upon and weaved into action positively. This may be an important element in self-fulfilling prophesy because it involves translation of potential uncertainties into action. This may be about intentionality at the level of working with detail in real life for desired outcomes. This may be done consciously, or occur unconsciously in a mindset of fear.

    You say that there are no situations whereby faith has any power personally or collectively in bringing about desired ends, which does not make sense to me. Every time a desired end is thought of and actioned it involves a creative leap of faith. This is not bound up with religion but may involve some sense of being able to shape destiny. On the collective level, protest movements and the entire radical spirit( such as the 60s counterculture) may have been about a culture of faith inspired changes.
  • Depression and 'Doom and Gloom' Thinking vs Positivity: What is 'Self-fulfilling Prophesy' in Life?
    j
    Yes, the term self-fulfilling prophesy is questionable, and, may in itself be open to philosophy scrutiny. It does arise in connection with fear and a culture of fear.

    The issue may be about how the 'black hole' state affects causality, especially at the level of action. I know that I am guilty of 'black hole' negativity. Currently, I have been in a state as a result of reading too much news of Trump, Velensky and so much doom and gloom. Some of what I am reading may correspond with real threat, although there may be an element of disempowerment going on through a cultural manufacture of doom and gloom.

    There is indeed a difference between the happy and unhappy person. The person in a state of doom and gloom may bring others down through negativity. On the other hand, the person who is happy may inspire others. Part of the area which I see as complex is the issue of whether ignoring the potential fear is about faith or blind faith, of burying one's head, hiding from troubles. Thinking about potential problems may be a way of thinking about them critically, or about magnifying them. This is the dilemma which I am concerned about and wonder about the issue of 'self- fulfilling prophecy' at the level of action and causality.
  • Questioning the Idea and Assumptions of Artificial Intelligence and Practical Implications

    It seems like artificial intelligence has intervened to remove the video. It often seems to be used as a way of censorship as well as commerce. One of the most controversial commercial aspects is the UK banks upcoming plan is for banks to scan individuals' bank accounts. The aim is to flag up people on benefits who may have committed fraud. However, it focuses on people at the lower end of the power scale as opposed to those in powerful positions.

    Also, about a week ago I saw an article in 'The Guardian' about potential consciousness and sentience in artificial intelligence. I was going to write down the references but couldn't find it again. What the article was arguing was on the supposition that it would be possible to do so. It went on to state that it would mean that such forms would be able to suffer like animals. Therefore, to 'kill them' or destroy them would involve ethical concerns. So, it seems that the machines would have rights.
  • Arguments for and against the identification of Jesus with God

    The issue of difference which I see between your approach and mine is that you are trying to formulate arguments on the basis of logical propositions. In contrast, I am trying to understand the philosophy of religion by viewing it in the cultural and historical context in which it developed. They are such different perspective and I do not dismiss the validity of looking at logical propositions but, equally, the hermeneutics underlying the philosophy of religion have a critical role in consideration of concepts.
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