Philosophical - Tumblr Posts
“It is the privilege of the gods to want nothing, and of godlike men to want little.”
—Diogenes
“The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.”
—Voltaire
“Faith consists in believing what reason cannot.”
—Voltaire
“The discovery of what is true and the practice of that which is good are the two most important aims of philosophy.”
—Voltaire
(mostly unedited)
A little girl once bought a lovely potted plant. Starry eyed, she carefully looked at her tiny plant with a single shoot and hardly any leaves, dreaming of the wonderful flowers that would bloom soon. She rejoiced in the thought of showing it off to all her friends.
Lovingly, she brought the plant close to her chest and said, "I love you little one and I can't wait to see you grow"
The plant felt the warmth of the little girl's words and kept listening to its new friend making claims of affection.
As days passed, the plant kept hearing the sweet words of affection. The same words which had instilled joy and comfort, no longer had that same effect on the plant.
The plant felt anxious.
The girl loved her plant dearly but never really thought of the necessity of watering it.
The plant withered away ....
The girl cried inconsolably, never really knowing where she had gone wrong.
Little did she know that claiming to love someone is nowhere near enough, since if you love someone you better show them before it's too late.
- Aswati
I love when we’re learning about how society enforces routine and expectation on us in class and I write in my notes
Power is a fragile, abstract concept given by our docility
maybe I missed my calling as a philosopher or something
“People will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.”
— Aldous Huxley
Free Will vs Determinism
In the grand theater of philosophical discourse, the debate between free will and determinism has persisted through the ages, each side presenting compelling arguments in defense of its position. Yet, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the notion of free will withstands scrutiny, even in the face of formidable counterarguments.
Detractors of free will often assert that our actions are governed by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and neurological processes—a deterministic framework that seemingly leaves no room for genuine autonomy. They point to studies in neuroscience that suggest our decisions are prefigured by neural activity milliseconds before we consciously perceive them, implying that our sense of agency is illusory.
However, this deterministic perspective fails to account for the multifaceted nature of human consciousness. While it is true that our biology and environment shape our perceptions and predispositions, it does not follow that they entirely determine our choices. Rather, they provide the context within which our capacity for free will operates—a canvas upon which we paint the strokes of our decisions.
Furthermore, the very act of deliberation, of weighing options and considering consequences, speaks to the reality of our agency. While our subconscious may influence our thoughts and behaviors, it is our conscious awareness that ultimately guides our actions. In this sense, free will emerges not as a force divorced from causality but as a dynamic interplay between our internal desires and external constraints.
Moreover, the existence of moral responsibility presupposes the existence of free will. If our actions were wholly determined by external factors, then notions of praise, blame, and accountability would lose their meaning. Yet, in our everyday interactions, we hold individuals accountable for their choices, recognizing the fundamental freedom inherent in moral agency.
In conclusion, while determinism presents a compelling framework for understanding the mechanics of causality, it falls short in capturing the full breadth of human experience. Free will, far from being an illusion, serves as the cornerstone of our moral and existential significance—a beacon of autonomy in the vast expanse of existence. Thus, in the eternal quest for truth and understanding, let us embrace the profound reality of our capacity to choose, to shape our destinies, and to navigate our own paths through the currents of time.
In the pursuit of knowledge, I had unwittingly stumbled upon the philosopher's paradox—the realization that the more we seek to understand, the less we truly know.
As a child, I always felt different. While my peers reveled in the simplicity of childhood, I found myself lost in the maze of my own thoughts. Each day brought with it a new puzzle to unravel, a new mystery to ponder. Little did I know, I was on the cusp of discovering my true nature as both an overthinker and a philosopher.
It began innocently enough, with simple questions that danced on the edges of my consciousness. Why is the sky blue? What lies beyond the stars? But as I delved deeper into the recesses of my mind, I found myself grappling with questions far beyond the scope of my years.
It was on a crisp autumn day, with the leaves crunching beneath my feet, that I first realized the extent of my overactive mind. While my classmates laughed and played, I sat beneath the shade of an old oak tree, lost in thought. Questions swirled around me like leaves caught in a whirlwind—questions about existence and the meaning of life.
As I grew older, my thirst for understanding intensified. I grappled with existential questions that seemed to have no answers. What is reality? Is there a God? Does free will truly exist, or are we all merely pawns in a cosmic game of chance? These questions consumed me, driving me to the brink of madness in my search for understanding. While my peers were content to accept the world at face value, I dared to challenge the status quo, to push the boundaries of what was deemed possible.
My fascination with the mysteries of the universe deepened. My mind became a garden of ideas, each one more vibrant and complex than the last. I basked in the beauty of thought, exploring the depths of philosophy with the innocence of a child and the curiosity of a sage. While others spent their days in pursuit of temporary pleasures, I sought something deeper, something more profound.
At first, I reveled in the challenge, relishing the opportunity to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden beneath the surface of reality. But as time passed, I began to feel the weight of my own thoughts bearing down upon me like a burden too heavy to bear. What if I was wrong? What if I never found the answers I sought?
Unfortunately, with the gift of insight came the burden of overthinking. I became acutely aware of the fragility of existence, the ephemeral nature of time, and the vastness of the unknown. Doubt crept into my mind like a thief in the night, casting shadows upon even the brightest of ideas. Every thought became a rabbit hole, leading me deeper and deeper into the recesses of my own mind.
Nonetheless, I never lost sight of the wisdom I had gained in my youth. For even as the world changed around me, I remained steadfast in my quest for understanding, knowing that in the end, it is not the answers themselves that matter, but the questions we dare to ask.
And so, I continue to journey through life, a philosopher in search of truth amidst the ever-shifting sands of existence. For though the path may be long and the road ahead uncertain, I walk forward with a sense of purpose, knowing that in the pursuit of knowledge lies the true essence of what it means to be human.
Exploring Life Beyond Death
It's late, and I find myself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. The darkness feels heavy, like a blanket that muffles the world outside. The house is silent, save for the occasional creak of the old floorboards. It’s in these moments, when the world is still, that my thoughts wander to the uncertainties of life.
What if death isn't the ultimate conclusion we've been conditioned to accept? What if immortality is not just a fanciful notion, but a potential reality awaiting discovery?
I close my eyes and imagine a different reality, one where the end is not a foregone conclusion. The idea is both thrilling and unsettling, a paradox that tugs at the edges of my understanding. I think about the countless lives that have come and gone, each one extinguished like a candle in the wind. But what if there's a way to keep that flame burning indefinitely?
The thought deepens, weaving itself into my consciousness. Throughout history, mankind has yearned for eternal life, seeking solace in myths and legends that hint at immortality. Yet, modern science, with its relentless pursuit of knowledge, challenges even the most deeply ingrained beliefs.
I think about the remarkable advances in medicine, the promise of rejuvenation therapies, and the tantalizing glimpses into the mysteries of aging and cellular regeneration. Could these be the first whispers of a future where our biological clocks no longer dictate our existence? Perhaps, within the intricate web of our DNA and the boundless expanses of the cosmos, lies the key to perpetual life. If we can extend life through advancements in medicine and technology, why not imagine a future where life can be sustained indefinitely?
As I drift between wakefulness and dreams, the allure of immortality grows more persuasive. It promises a continuation of experiences, of learning, of love and growth without the looming specter of an inevitable end.
The concept takes root in my mind, urging me to reconsider the limits of mortality. What if death is merely a transitional phase, a doorway to something beyond our current understanding? The thought challenges the very core of what it means to be human. I find a strange comfort in this thought, a glimmer of hope against the darkness of uncertainty.
In the depths of night, amidst the whispers of the unknown, I entertain the idea that maybe death isn't certain after all. Maybe, against all odds, immortality is within our grasp.
Metaphysics
Metaphysics has always fascinated me—a realm where questions about the nature of reality and existence intertwine with the mysteries of the universe. As a child, I would lie beneath the starry sky, wondering about the vastness beyond and the meaning of my own existence.
One evening, as twilight painted the horizon in shades of crimson and gold, I found myself lost in thought at the edge of a peaceful lake. The water mirrored the hues of the sky, creating an illusion of infinity that mirrored my contemplations.
Metaphysics, to me, is like peering into the depths of that lake—glimpsing reflections that hint at deeper truths yet to be uncovered. It's about questioning the fabric of reality, pondering whether there exists a fundamental essence that underlies all phenomena.
I believe in the interconnectedness of things—the way every particle, every thought, and every emotion is intertwined in the intricate web of existence. It's a tapestry where causation dances with randomness, where order emerges from chaos, and where consciousness itself becomes a guide for understanding.
As I gazed into the shimmering water, I felt a sense of awe and wonder at the mystery that surrounds us. Metaphysics invites us to explore the boundaries of what we know, to challenge assumptions, and to seek a deeper understanding of the universe and our place within it.
The breeze whispered through the reeds, stirring my thoughts as I contemplated the timeless questions that have echoed through the ages. What is the nature of reality? What lies beyond the visible world? And how do we reconcile the limits of human perception with the boundless potential of the cosmos?
In that serene moment by the lake, I embraced the beauty of uncertainty and the thrill of intellectual inquiry. Metaphysics, for me, is not just a philosophical pursuit but a journey of discovery—a quest to unravel the threads of existence and to glimpse the profound truths that lie beyond the veil of perception.
And as the stars began to twinkle overhead, I knew that my exploration of metaphysics would continue—a lifelong journey guided by curiosity, driven by wonder, and enriched by the endless possibilities that await those who dare to seek. 
"What of art?" she asked.
"It is a malady."
"Love?"
"An illusion."
"Religion?"
"The fashionable substitute for belief."
"You are a sceptic."
"Never! Scepticism is the beginning of faith."
"What are you?"
"To define is to limit."
— Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
"What of art?" she asked.
"It is a malady."
"Love?"
"An illusion."
"Religion?"
"The fashionable substitute for belief."
"You are a sceptic."
"Never! Scepticism is the beginning of faith."
"What are you?"
"To define is to limit."
— Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
"What of art?" she asked.
"It is a malady."
"Love?"
"An illusion."
"Religion?"
"The fashionable substitute for belief."
"You are a sceptic."
"Never! Scepticism is the beginning of faith."
"What are you?"
"To define is to limit."
— Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.
— Jalal al-Din Rumi
The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.
— Jalal al-Din Rumi
The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.
— Jalal al-Din Rumi
The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.
— Jalal al-Din Rumi