Philosophy
Disclaimer: this article only reflects the opinion of the writer. Nevertheless, his opinions are supported by.. basic factual shit.
Writing about this subject is my way of putting up a wall, a barricade, against painful and self-destructing emotions caused by my apparent involvement in a situation involving unrequited love.
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Darwin said a scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, a heart of stone. That’s me, Mohinder. It’s not you. Go home.“
- - Chandra Suresh (to Mohinder) (Homecoming)
Philosophy has taught me many things.
It all started when I became atheist, upon reading about Epicurus’ Problem of Evil, in third year high. By fourth year, I’ve encountered a book which contains a story, a love story, incidentally, which integrates the use and identification of logical fallacies with a typical lovers’ quarrel. And incidentally, the story was entitled, Love is a Fallacy, which I think is actually true.
http://spoliarium.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/love-is-a-fallacy/
As I’ve read through and finished the story, I decided to go and delve deeper into this subject as a means of kicking religion’s illogical behind and, as it was demonstrated in the story stated above, as a means of winning my own LQ’s at that time. (And it worked, most of the time.)
But, as time passed by, I’ve grown and learned how to use Philosophy in subjects other than religion (and love), like expressing my views concerning music and visual arts. Philosophy has taught me to be proud, to stand firmly for what I know is right, because through Philosophy, I’ve learned how to verify and make sure that the things I believe in are right. And that I can prove that I’m right
In effect, Philosophy has made me cold, proud, emotionless, because it is emotion that (usually?) screws up logical thinking and reasonable decision-making. Yes, you read that right, and you know it’s right: Emotion keeps you from thinking clearly. Emotions like anger, sadness, affection, and lust (lust is in this list, of course) usually keeps you from seeing the bigger, better, clearer picture of your situation and the decisions you have to make. These emotions usually make you see only what you want to see, make you consider only what you want to consider, and eventually lead to a biased decision that will, in turn, lead to your doom.
It has made my heart rigid, harsh, painful, but nevertheless, just, fair, unbiased, and more importantly, honest.
Yes, honest. Because in Philosophy, the most important thing we seek and promote is the truth. The whole truth: no bias, no partiality, no idiocy and bigotry.
In defense of my rigid, harsh, painful heart of stone, Philosophy has also taught it how to look at the other side, how to consider everything that concerns your current situation, and the decisions you have to make. Everything.
It has taught me to be open-minded
It has also taught me what not to consider. Specifically, through the fallacies:
“Two men are having a debate. The first one gets up and says, ‘My opponent is a notorious liar. You can’t believe a word that he is going to say.’ … Now, Polly, think. Think hard. What’s wrong?”
For example, ad hominem is an argument targeted at the opponent himself, and not the previous argument. In this particular excerpt from the story, the supposed “previous argument” does not exist. His opponent has not spoken yet, and yet he is attacking him already.
Remember, “So what? Your statements do not matter because you’re ugly/gay/an atheist” or any other similar attack directly to your opponent does not make his arguments less valid, true or credible.
(..Well, anyway, I could go on on how useful fallacies are everyday (especially in my house where everyone’s just too angry to realize that everything that’s coming out of their mouths are just trash), but I shouldn’t be covering that here, right now.)
Yes, I’ve exchanged my emotions for a heart of stone, but also, for a mind far superior than yours (see, this is the pride talking). With Philosophy, I could see things more clearly, think more deeply, and know more than you can ever do. And I’m happy (wait, that’s an emotion) that I’ve made that decision.
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Quote at the beginning of this article is from Heroes, http://heroeswiki.com
