Ace-Garageguy Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Also I'm glad to see Robert Heinlein get quoted here in a philosophical discussion. I did not agree with a lot his views on things. But, over the years his fiction books in particular got me thinking about somethings in a slightly different light. Every ten years or so, I try to rereading Stanger In a Strange Land. Agreed. Both Heinlein and Ayn Rand put a lot of commonly held ideas in a completely different light for me. I don't swallow either of their positions whole, but they're certainly worth thinking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 I believe in our Constitutional right to keep a gun in this country if one wishes to. As I've noted before, I don't wish to do so. And that should be okay too. I also believe in Castle laws. You should have a right to defend yourself if someone breaks into your while you are there.It is an intensely personal decision as to whether one wishes to be armed or not, and I certainly respect your position. As long as we retain the right to CHOOSE, I'm happy.But let me just remind you...and everyone...there are really BAD people in the world who will take your stuff and hurt, maim or kill you without any hesitation. Whether they're born bad or made that way by "society" is a question for another discussion. The salient point is that THEY'RE OUT THERE.They cannot be reasoned with, talked down, or intimidated...especially if they're whacked on some chemical.I am NOT a physical match for TWO grown men a third of my age. After they kicked my door open and came in the house, screaming incoherently, and one of them started coming at me...closer than 10 feet and advancing, my only choice was to allow myself to be beaten into jelly, or to fire. You don't try to "wing" somebody in that instant. The idea is to STOP them.I thought up until that night that it would NEVER happen to me. I don't live in a high-crime area, I don't associate with thugs or crooks, and home-invasions are unheard of. I've never been any kind of gun "nut" and was ambivalent about the idea of being armed for self defense. No more.My final point, again, is that it CAN happen to you, no matter how good a little boy or girl you are, no matter how well you color inside the lines, and no matter how much of a pacifist you may be.If you think you can talk a drugged-up psycho out of messing you up, or you think the police will get there in time to protect you...you really need to think again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 And the answer to all philosophical questions is still 42. Ah, indeed....... but what is the question to all philosophical answers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_G Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Ah, indeed....... but what is the question to all philosophical answers? Who am I, and why am I here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Ah, indeed....... but what is the question to all philosophical answers? Ah! That is the question. If we knew what the real question is, then 42 would made sense and all of our problems be solved. Another very good book on philosophy, is Sophie's World, written by Jostein Gaarder. It was mainly written for teenagers, and mainly aimed at girls. But don't let that stop you from reading it. It's really best book I've ever read explaining the basics of philosophical thinking through out history. There has also been a movie based on it. But like most movies, it can not really convey the ideas from the book with any depth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Agreed. Both Heinlein and Ayn Rand put a lot of commonly held ideas in a completely different light for me. I don't swallow either of their positions whole, but they're certainly worth thinking about. I agree 100% with you on both authors. Rand was another very interesting person. I almost agree with nothing she believed in. Yet I liked Atlas Shrugged. Someday I need to read her book Fountainhead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Who am I, and why am I here?Admiral Stockdale, is that your? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plastic-mechanic Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 G Never heard that before, but I like it! Similarly: Never pick a fight with an old guy. If he doesn't think he can take you in a fair fight, he'll just kill you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysleder Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 "A wise man learns from others mistakes, a fool learns from his own......"To me, the fool would be the one who DON'T learn from his own mistakes.Gee, I tell you - its a hard life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.~ Aldous Huxley Works for me. As does this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 "Sanity has it's limits, insanity knows no bounds......." -- Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 For me there is one basic philosophical question; Why am I here? Everything else sort of branches out from that one simple, basic question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 The answer to that may be as simple as 'our parents decided to have a child', or could be as profound as We were born so that certain events could take place, or so that we could be a part of someones life that needed us in their life....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 The answer to that may be as simple as 'our parents decided to have a child', or could be as profound as We were born so that certain events could take place, or so that we could be a part of someones life that needed us in their life....... Yes, there are multiple answers, depending on how you see the question.I see it as the ultimate philosophical question... as in, what is the point of life itself? Why does it exist? Why am I a part of it? Why do we all have a short length of time here, and what is the point of having that time? It can get very complicated if you think about it long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 For me there is one basic philosophical question; Why am I here? Everything else sort of branches out from that one simple, basic question.Genesis 1:26 The reason life is a short time is that man was created to live forever, that's why we never want it to end, and we was never intended to grow old but Genesis 3 And Jeremiah 1:5Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Psalms 22:10 Mathew 10:30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Repstock Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 If the glass is always either half full or half empty, it's probably twice the size it needs to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 If the glass is always either half full or half empty, it's probably twice the size it needs to be. Avoid the problem. Just drink out of the bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbash1 Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Life is hard. It's a lot harder if your stupid. John WayneFlying is the easy part. It just gets a bit harder with a Messerschmidt or a FW-190 up your ass. My Dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plastic-mechanic Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 michael, michael, michael .... i understand how upset you can get over these things. maybe some cucumber water and a little quiet time would make you feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 Can we try to keep our noses above water on this one, Guys? Please? The glass is only half full, you can tread it...........! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_G Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 This thread is making me thirsty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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