--- In [email protected], Ian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I can see the point there and it's an interesting one. Still, I prefer to > think that philosophical *problems* are a kind of neurosis > perhaps. Philosophy sometimes gets a bum rap, but if we take it for what > it is - a tool, a guide, a pointer, use it skillfully and not attach to it, > then it serves it's rightful purpose. Sometimes a few good words can open > doors. > > Ian
I agree with Ian here; and for the most part with SitterApprentice's teacher [posting below]. When I recently posted comments about using human intellect I was actually thinking more of logical activities used to solve real problems - like organization, finances and logistics. I wasn't thinking about applying intellect to abstract problems - like `what is good?', `what is beauty', or `how do I know something'. In many ways this `thinking about thinking' is a kind of mental masturbation. It's only purpose is self- gratification; and I do agree that obsessing on topics like these certainly could reach the level of neurosis. On the other hand I wouldn't label all philosophizing as neurotic, as long as the philosopher doesn't take his/her activities too seriously. All topics of philosophy [as far as I know] are not real and just fabrications of the human mind. Not good, not bad but certainly not as critically important as we think they are. > >"Zen is a way of dissolving philosophical problems, not of solving > >them.It is a way of getting rid of philosophy, because philosophy is a > >sort of neurosis." > > > > words from my zen teacher. > > > > > > gassho > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
