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originally posted in: Why am I me and not you?
7/3/2013 7:06:12 PM
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If the answer doesn't matter, neither does the question. This is one thing that philosophy students never fail to ignore.
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  • I don't think I agree fully with you on this. If this was about engineering, I would completely agree, but when it comes to philosophy, it seems to me that most of the time, there either is no answer or you're unable to reach it. What matters is the discussion, the process caused by the question. IMHO that is the most important part of such questions. I am no philosophy student, but I remember spending upwards of an hour discussing the definition of "happiness" with a friend. I honestly can't remember the conclusion, but I do remember several aspects of the discussion. I think we both knew from the very start that we wouldn't find [i]the[/i] answer to our initial question, but that didn't really matter.

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  • Edited by FoMan123: 7/3/2013 7:25:05 PM
    Maybe I'm a practicalist, but if there's one thing I loathe, it's pointless discussion on a philosophical point. To me, every time I overhear (or even try to participate in) such a discussion, it's yet another piece of evidence that our brains, as a species, are way the hell overpowered and underutilized. *he said, as he continued his participation in the offtopic section of a video gaming forum

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  • That is very understandable, and honestly, the topic of existence (which I feel this is about), is mostly uninteresting for me as well. The discussions that I do find interesting are usually those involving (moral) values. Those can both put perspective on your own values, but also reveal those of whoever you are discussing with. I'm not sure to what extent that could be found practical, but I find it valuable on a personal level.

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  • But it's not really pointless. It doesn't yield a concrete result that's of any use but having discussions like that can open up your mind which can change the way you live. And it's good for your brain to practice debating and making logical, concise points without resulting to dirty tactics like name-calling or whatever. If that's what the students are spending good money on, then I agree but I wouldn't say that questions like that in themselves are "pointless."

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  • But I could easily engage in the same kind of "practice" and "mind-expansion" while debating a topic with a point that could yield an actionable result. There are a bazillion topics out there. Should the U.S. be more or less involved in foreign affairs? Should I learn how to fly a plane? Is there a better way to create a worldwide network of people and information than the internet? What would be the best way for me to spend the $50 I have in my pocket? Any of these conversations, whether with your friends/family or people on this forum, would be easily as engaging, just as mind-expanding, and far, far more productive than a pointless philosophical "why is this ethereal thing the way it is?" debate.

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  • Edited by RECON: 7/3/2013 7:43:50 PM
    Yeah, good point. I'm just not satisfied, though. It feels different to me. I just enjoy having a pointless debate more than a practical one, usually. Maybe because they're generally less heated or the people involved might have less of an agenda. I don't know, but you're right. But, hey, I wouldn't have realised that if not for this pointless debate. Heh.

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