Is It Worth It To Philosophize?
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I just finished a book that told me what my problem is. Then it told me to stop doing it. Something
about yoga, meditation. The Tao. It’s the New Age version of, “Doctor, it hurts when I do this.”
Is it worth it to think about philosophical phenomenon?
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
The people that came up with, or like to quote the answer that relies on the physiological interpretation
of sound vibrations are probably pleased with themselves. I find other replies just as plausible. Even the
unfancy ones.
My own answer: I don’t want to spend my life thinking about these things. Do it only if it’s fun or
interesting to you.
Philosophy was one of my majors, btw.
Growing up in Brooklyn, I had this group of friends that were more physically oriented. You know how
walking can clear your mind? That movement takes intangible, nervous energy and transforms it into
something kinetic. Even useful. My friends were a lot less in their heads than I was, and it balanced me
out. Not that they were always so healthy. They could have their own extremes, such as:
Injuring their hand from punching in a car window.
Getting thrown out of Rite Aid for putting on deodorant.
One guy taking his mother’s estrogen pills. Just because.
I try to fall somewhere in between caveman and esoteric. The logical and linear can be comforting. So
can believing there is something bigger than we are.
Still, there’s a certain niche of annoying, for the question, “Who are you?” What a trap.
Wrong answers: “I’m this person’s child.”
“I’m a teacher.”
“I’m -fill in your name-.”
“How can I use words to describe us, if we’re beyond words?” Rofl
A safer bet:
“I’m a soul; an eternal being.” “Can you prove it?” “No. My show is on, and you’re blocking the tv.”