What is the Most Important Philosophical Question

originally posted by: Wang Tang
a reply to: zosimov

Here is another of his quotes.

"People say again and again that philosophy doesn't really progress, that we are still occupied with the same philosophical problems as were the Greeks. But the people who say that don't understand why this has to be so. It is because our language has remained the same and keeps seducing us into asking the same questions." -Wittgenstein

I disagree. We have the same problems because our Kings are self-righteous Sophists. Plato warned against allowing the Sophists to take control but acknowledged the path to leadership for the virtuous philosopher was almost impossible.

It is only when we are lead by virtuous philosophers that mankind can move forward and stop asking the same questions.

originally posted by: Ophiuchus 13

originally posted by: Wang Tang

Or perhaps the most important philosophical question is in fact: “what is the most important philosophical question?”

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

Matthew 19:23-24King James Version (KJV)

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Trust you who say you trust the words but don't really seem to show it?
Trust yourselves...
And others in percentages.

a reply to: Ophiuchus 13

So it seems the #1 question according to the Bible is regarding money. I should dispose of my money as quick as possible so I can die poor and go to heaven. But now, here is the #1 question. How do I dispose of my money?

Is the Bible telling me to spend all my money? (Capitalism)
Is the Bible telling me to give away the money I earned? (Communism)

a reply to: Wang Tang
There is no space to avoid it.

You said money the book or the Son said the rich?

The Son already knows the materialistic attachments here couldn't buy you wings to flee after you Ascend from here.

But only true believers care to acknowledge the attachments based on fear of the Eternal.
Why the non believers attach in attempt to build empires simulating HEAVEN outside of the Kingdom
It's really up to you. What your doing with your soul energy & who or what you focus on...
Your free will

a reply to: Wang Tang
So again who do you trust, with your soul energy?
Your taught: you behave like your told by some who are misbehaving the most? And they say you listen to us and you go to heaven. Because we know better then the Son?
But if your misbehavior is mimicking our behaviors you go to hell?
So basically many are hoping that what they are taught they can TRUST TO GET THEM IN HEAVEN as long as they obey.
And others just don't believe. It is observed in their actions. Therefore building what kind of world? A world where they feel heaven = fortune & power...
Equaling spiritual suppression. Yes maybe for something more interested in your spirit.

originally posted by: Wang Tang
a reply to: Ophiuchus 13

So it seems the #1 question according to the Bible is regarding money. I should dispose of my money as quick as possible so I can die poor and go to heaven. But now, here is the #1 question. How do I dispose of my money?

Is the Bible telling me to spend all my money? (Capitalism)
Is the Bible telling me to give away the money I earned? (Communism)

Tithing is voluntary Socialism, Not Communism.

IMO giving it away is more joy then taking it to the grave. I think that is the point being made.

a reply to: Isurrender73

Yes you're right I thought about it, and it would be some form of Socialism. Communism would be if my money was taken away and redistributed equally.

Although I wasn't specifically referring to tithing, because a rich man could tithe 10% and still be rich. I am more referring to the idea of giving away 90% and keeping 10%.

a reply to: Wang Tang

Who are you?

a reply to: aphilosopher

I am my physical appearance, my physical properties, my memories, others' memories of me, my accomplishments, my failures, my spirit, my name... something like that.

Why is that important?

The most important, and most frequent, philosophical question in the history of mankind is...

What is the meaning of life?

And the simplest of answers to that question is...

To live.

originally posted by: VigiliaProcuratio
The most important, and most frequent, philosophical question in the history of mankind is...

What is the meaning of life?

And the simplest of answers to that question is...

To live.

Everyone lives, but to be remembered is to Live Forever. Some of us have loftier ambitions.

a reply to: VigiliaProcuratio
I wonder how that perceptions / perspective changes from prey and predator. Like what is life for example to livestock, who are catered to medicated, fed and housed on nice "land" just to be food for something else?

a reply to: Ophiuchus 13

The wolf's purpose is to live, and to live it believes it necessary to consume the sheep, it's all it knows. And all the sheep know is that they need to eat grass to survive, and that they might end up being eat by the wolf. It's a vicious cycle indeed, and it's certainly viciously barbaric in some cases, but the one thing humans in particular have is the ability to make choices as to how we survive in an unforgiving world. Whichever way I look at it, though, the ultimate purpose is indeed to survive.

originally posted by: VigiliaProcuratio
The most important, and most frequent, philosophical question in the history of mankind is...

What is the meaning of life?

And the simplest of answers to that question is...

To live.

Most frequent, but most important?

"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest - whether the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories - comes afterwards. These are games, one must first answer this." - Albert Camus

I believe Camus brings up a valid counterpoint to the "what is the meaning of life" question. What is the point of figuring out the meaning of life if we can't even justify why life is worth living?

What is my purpose for being here at this time and in this place?

Notice I said "my purpose" not "the purpose".

The concept of living is far more important to my psyche than the concept of dying. I personally don't question whether or not life is actually worth living, I just appreciate the fact that I'm here in the now. Maybe I could've been born in better times, but maybe worse also so I'm just happy enough to exist in the first place.

originally posted by: VigiliaProcuratio
a reply to: Ophiuchus 13

The wolf's purpose is to live, and to live it believes it necessary to consume the sheep, it's all it knows. And all the sheep know is that they need to eat grass to survive, and that they might end up being eat by the wolf. It's a vicious cycle indeed, and it's certainly viciously barbaric in some cases, but the one thing humans in particular have is the ability to make choices as to how we survive in an unforgiving world. Whichever way I look at it, though, the ultimate purpose is indeed to survive.

We humans have gotten pretty good at this survival thing. If our purpose is to survive and we have figured it out, then what purpose do we have left? It seems we have achieved all we are meant to accomplish. Why wait around for death? Why not commit suicide?

a reply to: Wang Tang

What is the meaning of life ?

Growth...

look around

Why does God exist ?
What's the point of existence ?

Growth...

philosophy;
when you're alone in an empty room and you think to yourself, do you hear your own voice?

how sure are you that the voice you would claim as your own is your own?

is someone, something counselling you from beyond the physical world?
is it you?

i don't think you are alone in that empty room.