Practical applications of philosophical abstractions....

[HollyElise]

Let's find some new things to talk about.

How about mentioning some of our favorite philosophies and what it means practically in our everyday lives? Anything from Sartre to the Bible.... who wants to start?

What words have you found to live by?

[aNonnyMoose]

My good lady wife of 26 years swears by:

"Life's too short to stuff a mushroom."

[Auld-Kelpie]

Around here they seem to be in love with the sound of words; philosophy seems to get them all a quiver. In the next breath they mention the bible. I would suggest that, fantasy & myth, are what they are talking about; & they wouldn’t comprehend a false premise or a well defined concept, if they fell over it.
I have no fight, with blether, for its own sake…. it can be fun… but don’t give it high & mighty titles.

[HollyElise]

High and mighty titles like what???? To what you are refering?

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

In the next breath they mention the bible. I would suggest that, fantasy & myth, are what they are talking about; & they wouldn’t comprehend a false premise or a well defined concept, if they fell over it.

Most books of the Bible were written soon after the events they record (Genesis being the exception). As archeology can show, we have no reason to doubt that much of the Bible contains accurate, historical information of antiquity.

Also, it is a mistake to dismiss the Bible as mere myth just because it contains the supernatural. As C. S. Lewis pointed out, anyone who had read an actual myth from Mediteranean or Near Eastern literature would realize immediately that the Bible shouldn't be numbered among them. Yes, the Synoptic Gospels record extraordinary events, many of them fit for myths. But the Gospels record them in a cut and dry, matter of fact fashion, indicative of a regular person writing down what he had seen. They don't at all follow the literary forms of mythology as put forth by Joseph Campbell.

Also, anyone who actually reads the Bible, even non-believers, admits that Jesus taught some incredibly profound ideas about morality and philosophy. Andy-J2, one of Christianity's biggest detractors on this board, calls him an "enlightened spiritual teacher."

So, while it is entirely possible that the Bible contains some gross exagerations of actual events, it is impossible to dismiss the entire thing as fantasy and myth. It is a valid book of history and philosophy.

"In all my archeological investigation I have never found one artifact of antiquity that contradicts any statement of the Word of God."

-Nelson Gluek, former President of the Jewish Theological Seminary at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati

[thespitfiredragon]

You guys should check out "Leadership and Self-Deception" by The Arbinger Institute...it will change your lives!

[Auld-Kelpie]

That sounds like a very good idea to me.
Then after that; just for the hell of it I dare you to read
Many Mansions by Gina cerminara; right through without excuses. You too Fertie.