The Columbus Philosophers' Meetup Group

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Richard Collins Member of The Columbus Philosophers' Meetup Group

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Reynoldsburg, OHUSA
(Hometown: Reynoldsburg)

Member of this
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February 7, 2007

Introduction

Philosophy is as much a part of my life as my understanding, acceptance, and interaction of/with life. That, and communicating on higher philosophical grounds than what is normative is rare and valueable to me.

What is the meaning or purpose of life? In other words, why does the universe exist?

I believe: - there is no validated "why" correlated to the existence of the universe. - the greatest meaning or purpose is that which matches up closest with reality. - metaphysics sux against my criteria for determining what is real, and should have no play outside the realm of . - meaning and purpose can only be truly given to what we have power over. - any implication or imposition of meaning or purpose upon the universe is inherently meaningless and useless - thus an excellent candidate for Ockham's Razor. - that change is a universal property of every discernable thing in the universe. Wait-wuht? Yes. We ARE talking about beliefs here? but at least I'm not projecting any kind of teleology or intrinsic value! - simply in judging life, the universe, and all things with realism! postscript(((I think I spent enough time fixing up what to say to these questions again. I wanted to rethink them, but gawd, it's time to go to sleep!)))

How do you live your beliefs in daily life?

Since childhood, I have had a tendency to "over-analyze" most everything from human interaction, purpose, motives, meaning, organization, style, mood, and brokenness of logic in communication and my own thought, to whatever else may fit in the form of a functional loop in my seemingly miniscule working-memory in this unbalanced dilettante brain of mine. I'm sure my parents did get irritated at times with my constant WHYing, and I've only let my curiosity and value of understanding grow. The thing is, I can only really effectively come to organized and meaningful conclusions during seemingly short periods of personal equanimity in my life. What would ordinarily be my passion or "Madness" (see:Nietzche) of higher effectiveness is most of the time stunted by my vices, shortcomings, and periods of mental anguish. But what else is there to life but the insatiability of the will? (thanks, Schopenhauer) And right now, mine is just a Will to Understanding - I'll leave Power as someone else's game.

Does the world reflect your beliefs? Why or why not?

Yeah, surely for the most part. As long as beliefs exist, they are at least partially reflected by the world. Where else would I get my beliefs but by accepting and slightly changing, refining, or redefining what truthes are already presented by others in the world? By accepting society as I generally perceive it and by choosing to play my role in it where it most interests me, I am compelled to share said beliefs with others just for the sake of this reflecting and refining process - to gain and add to knowledge and clear thinking. To me, it is more important for the question to be inverted: "On what levels and in what sense does my worldview reflect the current state of my environment proper?" or "Do my beliefs correctly reflect reality?" The best way I can answer that one is that I believe they do moreso than ever before. Because of my life goals and purpose (or personal direction, duty and motivation), I believe this process will and should continue to the day I die.