Levels of Philosophy

When people think of philosophy they usually think of abstract concepts that mean little to what happens everyday. However, this high level philosophy is only one dimension of the discipline. Really there are three levels of philosophical discussion and almost everyone participates on at least one level everyday.
Here are the three levels:
Level 1. High Philosophy – as I said before, this is the level of complex, abstract concepts that are mostly discussed in academic circles. This level provides the overarching framework for the following two levels and has great significance if we are to understand why we think they way we do. For example, if the predominant thinking of the time is that every person determines what is right and wrong according to how they feel, then we must realize that there is an overarching philosophy that provides the framework for this way of thinking. Everyone doesn’t have to understand this high level philosophy to live it out and therein lies the problem. If there are inconsistencies in level one thinking, and if not many question this, people are basically following something through blind faith.

Level 2. Art – painting, sculpting, writing, film and even television fall under level 2 philosophy. Artists take the messages from level 1 philosophy and display them in a way that make us contemplate the art we are seeing and look for the message behind the medium. Today these messages primarily reach people through film and television since they draw the most viewers. What does this mean for our society then when a majority of the media transmitting ideas is superficial and outright poor a lot of the time? “Does Two and A Half Men” really present something worthwhile when we think about what it means to be a person? I’m not saying that all shows and films need to be in depth, abstract thinking shows that hurts your brain when you watch them. What I am saying is that viewers have to be aware that messages are coming at them everyday through art and needs to at least be analyzed briefly.

Level 3. Water Cooler Talk – It used to be called talk around the coffee pot at work until Seinfeld changed it (interesting level two influence). Level three could also be called conversational philosophy that people engage in everyday. When we talk about what we like and don’t like we are making judgments on ideas and in turn expressing our own world view or lenses that we see life through. So as I have said before, we are all philosophers even if we despise the subject. It’s like a matrix we live in everyday but are unaware of. Once we realize that we are “plugged in” a whole new world opens up for use to engage in.

To engage in this matrix, check out The Philosophy Matrix

Philosophy is for Everyone

There is a perception in our society that to talk philosophically is to engage in meaningless babble that has no relevance in “real life.” “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin you say?” Who really cares. What kind of a job can philosophers get anyway? Philosophy majors are pompous know-it-alls who couldn’t survive with a real job and are forever trapped in the confines of the academia. I’ve heard these kinds of statements many times.
Yet we sell ourselves short when we think of philosophy this way. In reality, we are all philosophers. The carpenter, the baker, the candlestick maker (if they still exist) all participate in the great conversation that is society. However, what we’ve lost is a sense of respect for those who devote much time and energy into the study of dialogue, of debate, of logic and critical thinking. Far from talk of meaningless things, these people seek to enrich culture by helping the rest of us to raise our level of awareness and question what goes on around us. If we think deeper, perhaps we reduce the number of times we stumble into wars, or accept useless trash on the television. One place to start is at the Philosophy Matrix. The hope is that the resources on this site will enhance people’s understanding of philosophy and it’s importance in our culture. Aristotle, perhaps the greatest philosopher ever, said that talk that has no practical relevance is useless chatter. This, philosophy is not.

Box Office Wonders

This weekend The Dark Knight was finally tossed from the top by Tropic Thunder. Ok, fine, Tropic Thunder is frickin’ hilarious and I’m almost positive it’s because of Robert Downey Jr. That guy is pretty awesome in almost anything so no surprise he can be comedic as well. Stiller needed a really funny one as well so good for him. The box office is a funny thing to watch. I’m hoping (and pleading) that Dark Knight passes Titanic just because a sappy romance doesn’t deserve to be at the top for so long. But maybe it does. When you think about the most popular sentiment of our culture it has to be related to love and romance in some way. It makes sense. We all long for a meaningful relationship so why not look for it on the screen? Why else is the Bachelor so popular? (see reality-tv-now for more info) So will Batman do it? Will The Dark Knight make it to the top? Tell me why it should, or why it won’t? More on the Box Office statistics here

“>

Talk of War

We are in a unique time when our country is at war yet it has been so long since the last great war that most of us don’t know how to react to our soldiers being killed. So I figured a site about the last world war between 1939-1945 is a way for us to realize what our nation has accomplished in the past and how being killed for a cause, was acceptable and accepted by both people at home and those on the front lines. www.learnaboutworldwar2.com.
You can also post your thoughts on war and the state of war right now.

In Defense of Food

The comment below gives the review and here is book. You can get it at In Defense of Food.

And don’t forget, the best food in the world is at allaboutitalianfood.com.

The death of reason

It’s official, the end is nigh, buy the casket and get the embalming fluid running, reason is dead. Oh how pissed Plato would be to discover that instead of people breaking out of The Cave and helping others to do so, we’re setting up recliners with mini beer fridges attached and strapping ourselves in for a lifetime of semi-literate states of being. I’m not going to go into details because the examples are many. Maybe figuring out why reason is dead and looking for examples is good way to start to dig reason out from six feet under (speaking of great shows…). I’m hoping for a huge comeback (not of the Bret Favre type) so who’s with me? Let’s start with a few good books and movies that stimulate the mind creatively…any suggestions?

Oh yes!

The Dark Knight does not disappoint. It is definitely worth seeing a second time because it helps to get a better feel for the story line. There is so much there to be sifted through. And it’s all great stuff. Right from the beginning it starts with Batman leaping from the upper floor of the parking garage and crushing the van Scarecrow is trying to get away in. Shots of Hong Kong are amazing and the new Bat-suit is sharp. The best of all is of course, the Joker and just like in the first Batman with Michael Keaton, the Joker is the star of the show. He says it best himself when he taunts Batman with the notion that they need each other because each is the negative of the other. Something to think about indeed.read more about Batman

I Can’t Wait for Batman!

Batman! Batman! BATMAN!   (you’re just going to have to think of the old-school theme song in your head).  It’s only a few days away and that’s too many to see the Dark Knight.  Such anticipation, such hype, such intrigue, it’s almost too much to take.  I am so excited I even made a site about Batman. See it at www.batmanrules.com

Whenever you need him

Reality TV?

I have always wanted to know why reality tv stuck around and now seems stronger than ever? When the first Survivor launched and everyone went crazy about it I thought, sure, it’ll have it’s day then sail away as good writing takes over. Unfortunately, good writing seems to be in short supply and unless you’re on HBO, you’re not going to see a lot of good tv. Here’s more on reality tv so you be the judge and give me your opinion on reality tv.

What’s the best food in the world?

If you said Italian food, then you are right. Come on, does anyone really disagree? I’m not talking about the pathetic egg noodles and ketchup they sell at Spaghetti Factory. I’m talking about my-great-grandma’s-homemade-sauce-from-Italy kind of food. Pagliacci’s in Victoria is one of the best restaurants I’ve been too and Roman Ristaurante on Kingsway in Vancouver is a close second. Of course, Italy itself is the place to eat but if you’re a North American, do some research and find a good place with real Italian food. Learn more at italianfood.com.