thinkforyourself

Yes, I know that isn't what Objectivism is. If you read my overly long rant, you would have known that. I had already stated that I most likely do not belong on this site at all. Maybe I'm just a voyeur? Ayn Rand this, and Ayn Rand that....maybe some day you will see that she has become your form or worship. You sound like a robot. What is the reason? How would I describe Objectivism? Well, at this point, I would describe it as not worth my time. I'd rather be "me" and think what I want regardless of what you consider "rational" than be a walking computer. Whatever. Bet I'm a whole lot happier than you are though!

Spinoza's concept was that everything that exists is of one essence. He call's it God, but you may substitute Nature, and it would read the same. It exists of necessity. It's own necessity. It is all that exists, we are but extensions and modes of "it". I never had that first stage of feeling toleration and thinking one's own religion was best, but others had good points too, as you've said. I've always questioned things, even as a child. To tell you the truth, I have more trouble with the morally grey attitude of people today than with anything else. It might very well be due to the fact that people do not believe in anything, hence they have no moral "guide book" or even "conscience" so to speak. Who's to say that anything is wrong? Everything is morally relative today. Oh, he killed that man because he just had to have those pair of sneakers? Poor man, he was probably deprived as a child, he really didn't mean it, we must be more tolerant and try to understand his ------------fill in appropriate bleeding heart word. Or, Heather has two Mommies? Well, that's o.k., who are we to say it's wrong. We are not allowed to judge people. Why not??? I also find society sadly lacking in justice. I can't tell you how sick to death I am of the words "compassion" and "tolerance". My point being, I think that might be at the heart of why people cling to their "religious values", while secretly thinking in their mind, Oh, what a lot of "godwash", I mean hogwash! As for me, I can see God as being a conscious entity, or energy or even the deist concept of a remote creator that does not intefere with our personal lives, but "sets the world in motion, and turns on all the machines" as Rush said. You have some good questions as to what is meant by the concept of energy or is "brain" different than mind, how would this entitity be "conscious", etc. I feel that as human beings, we are limited by the fact that we simply can't know everything. We know a lot, and know the "how" of things, but will never know "why" concerning life, the universe and everything, so to speak. We are nothing but dust motes or ants in the "big scheme" of things, if there is a "scheme" at all. Who knows?? I sure as hell don't! And no, I can't back it up, logically, other than to say it makes sense to me. Being somewhat of a solipsist, that's all I care about. It works for ME. Objectivism works for you. Who is right? Who cares. Does it matter? I don't think so. So, not being a brainbox or of superhuman intelligence, I'm going to answer this the only way I know how, and say, I just don't know. It's the best answer I can give you. So, you see, I'm not really an Objectivist, although I find a lot of their ideas in tune with mine when it comes to some issues, but not all, obviously. I make no apologies for myself as to why I think the way I do, and I don't think I'm inferior either, for thinking this way. I probably need to find a philosophy forum. As I said to Rational Biker, I really don't belong on here, and silly me, didn't even notice it was a "debate" forum, so I got in over my head. I do enjoy reading other people's thoughts on things here though, and you seem like a nice bunch.

You are right! I got totally off the track. Saw the word "God" and stated my views on "it". Not only is this a Debate Forum (which I did not notice - shows you how my mind works---or doesn't!) but what I said really doesn't have anything to do with Objectivism at all. I don't think I am an Objectivist. Perhaps I should look for a philosophy forum. I can certainly understand the "one substance" idea that Eneiladam is talking about. That is what I meant. Yes, I know we can just call it Energy, or what have you, and Why call it God, etc. I choose to call it God. There are just too many things that are amazing to me to just chalk something up as, well, A = A, that's all, lets move on. So, yes, I do believe there is a God. Believe. I quite like the deists also, by the way. Yes, I know it leaves you saying Well, if God exists, then where is he/It? It all becomes so circular. So I will just flat out say, Yes, I do believe there is a God, and leave it at that. Although I do admire Objectivists straight foward common sense attitude, and agree on a lot of the issues I read on this web site (pease see my comment in the buddhist section, if you have time), I don't think I belong on here. I enjoy very much though, reading people's comments on here! Regards

I have studied Buddhism extensively over the last few years. What you call "Buddhism" today has degenerated into a bunch of "know it all, let's shave our heads and spout wisdom" garbage. You must understand where Buddhism came from, and that there isn't even an "ism" in this whole thing. Hinduism is the name given to the religion by the British, I believe. The Buddha was a "Hundu" if you can call him that. They followed dharma, or the law. I can't go on too much about this because it's so circular, like their philosophy. Yes, there is suffering in life, we all know that. Why make a religion out of it? This "religion" is full of apathy, negativity, and anything else that makes you feel like s**t. I've tried his noble 8 fold path. No one will ever be free of suffering even following that path. Buddhism in its "true" early way was about liberation from suffering. Life was to be shunned, life was bad, etc. The mere fact or myth, that the Buddha left his family to find "enlightment" says something about his views. Buddhism today, I don't care how "positive" a slant you put on it, is not what Buddhism was originally. It was a protest against the Brahman priests, who had all the power, and Buddha simply stated that anyone can find enlightment. Whatever that is. Buddha also said to to a light unto yourself and not to believe what anyone had to say, not even him. Much like everything else, people will have to be sheep and try to be "buddhists" instead of finding their own way. There was only one "buddha'' just like there was only one "jesus". You can't be him. Who would want to be? Do you realize how the monks lived back then? Read some more. No dancing, no music, living off the scraps of others. And for what?? Yes, the "medicants" were beggers. Got get a job, I'd say! And to top it off, only the Arhants had wisdom. You, poor common slob, would have to go through many lives to attain moksha. I think people are looking for something to believe in, and I believe Nietzsche said something to the effect that Buddhism would become the next European religion. It is spreading, and it looks as if he's right. I was kicked off a Buddhist forum for stating my opinion on the death penalty. I called someone an idiot and said they had to be insane for thinking that even Hitler was worthy of compassion, or Charles Manson. They also didn't like what I had to say about vegetarianism. If they knew their Buddhist history, they would know that the buddha was against animal sacrifice. That's quite different killing for food. Everything feeds on something else. That's nature. Do you think the Lion says, Oh, excuse me, Mr. Zebra, I don't mean to harm you......etc. These people into Buddhism are a bunch of crackpots. I don't even want to get started on this as it makes me angry to see so many young people into this way of thinking that is so wrong. Yes, WRONG. Don't you have your own mind? Use it! Meditate? How about a nice nap to clear your mind. It does the same thing. It's all BS. One last thing: There was one poor girl on this Buddhist forum saying how depressed she was, life is suffering, etc. I'll bet she feels a whole lot better now. If she's still around. Don't be tricked in by these people. They will have that "compassionate" look on their face, "lets love everyone, even criminals"......Compassionate idiots! I guess I got off the track here, but anyway, don't read those stupid books written by those know-it-alls that know nothing. If you want a good one, read Rahula Walpola's What the Buddha Taught. Buddhism in its original form, Theravada. Visit some sites. Not the "feel good" zen, etc. and try to find out what it was originally about 2,500 years ago. You can't live like that now, and even if you allow for changes, the whole philosophy is negative, no matter what anyone tells you. Enjoy your life and don't let anyone lay a guilt trip on you for being one of those "bad" humans who are responsible for destroying our planet and eating our fellow creatures.

Maybe it is hogwash. I honestly don't know. My crime is being "ignorant" I suppose. Please see my reply to Tonix777. I got the feeling he thinks I'm some overly sensitive person with an inferiority complex. (Maybe!) By the by, I thought I was kicked off here? Nice to see I can still state my opinions. Glad to see you have a sense of humor also. I probably was being overly sensitive to your comments. I guess I felt I was being attacked. I am for the most part short on logic. Terrible in math, etc. My mind tends to work more on the artistic side I guess, and I wonder if I even belong on here, but I feel I do have common sense. Maybe that is the best I can do. I am willing to learn. Albeit to the best of my mental capacity , which may not necessarily be up to par with someone else's standards. So be it. I am what I am, as Popeye would say.

No, I do not have an inferiority complex. I just think that perhaps highly intelligent people have very little tolerance for people that don't quite "measure up" in their opinion and can perhaps be a bit short, or sarcastic or what have you. I tend to be that way myself when people annoy me with their stupidity. Of course one can always improve oneself and evolve. I also, am not the same person I was five years ago, or even last year, etc. I can never understand how people can say "You have changed" and mean it in a bad, accusitory way, like you are supposed to remain some kind of emotional retard stuck in time. I do think its essential though to have a silly side though, and a sense of humor. Life's pretty dull without it. This may sound "not very nice" to the altruist or other people of that ilk, but I am one of those people that think we are not all "equal". Some people are smarter than others, some more logical, some more artistic, etc., others, maybe being just "ignorant". Not meaning stupid, but not understanding, or lacking in a particular knowledge. I guess I fall into the "ignorant" category in some sense. I am sorely lacking in logic, and fall into the artistic category. And lets face it, people are not always logical, although we should strive to be at least rational or have common sense. That's what makes us human. Do I not belong on here because I'm not "as smart"? I'm not being "sensitive" about this, I'm asking an honest question. I'm just someone trying to figure it all out. Unlike probably a majority of people on here, I am self-educated in a certain sense. While most people have read all the major philosophers probably in college or what have you, I have embarked on this at my stage in life. I'm in my 50's. I never went to college, nor did I finish high school. I did go to night school to get my GED, and am not ashamed or embarrassed by that fact. The kids I had to go to school with were morons and I hated school. I have done pretty well in my life considering all the odds against me. So, I'm just an ordinary person with perhaps a lack in knowledge that others might excel in. You sound very Nietzsche by the way. He's an interesting read. I had read Spinoza (even I got sick of how many times he used the word God), and just thought it made sense that the universe consists of one essence. To me it makes sense. Call it Nature or whatever, it's just everything that is. I don't mean this in the sense of what has degenerated into those silly New Age pantheist "religions" . It's amazing how many of those books are on the shelves of bookstores, and I must admit, I became enraged reading in a Buddhist book that we should all go around apologizing for what we have done to others. I don't know why I torment myself by even looking in there, but there you have it, it's like picking at a scab. I hate those "Shave my head bald, I am full of Wisdom" apathetic idiots. On the other hand, if A = A, where did it all come from? See, I'm just asking, this is "not knowing" or "ignorance" not stupidity. Nor is it the belief in a bible God, who was a kind of homicidal maniac when I think about it. Anyway, yes there is always room for mental improvement. Maybe I'm just beyond it? Just live and stop thinking so much? I'll tell you one thing though, you MUST have a sense of humor in life or you risk becoming an intellectual bore or Mr. Spock. Am I missing something on this site? Should I look elsewhere on here at other topics? Probably. Do you have a humor section? Is there anything lighthearted on here? Maybe I'm missing something. Let me know. I will look up the recommended website in your post also.

Oh, what's the use! I may as well go and join one of those wimpy Buddhist sites. NO, wait, I got kicked off there. I guess I'll just think what I want (yes, regardless of what the brilliant think of me!) Really! Water into wine? Parting the Red Sea? You must think I'm even more stupid than I am being made to feel on here! I understand all about those "fuzzy" thinkers. What I'm trying to say is if you don't explain things to people about your objective beliefs, or if you don't even bother to listen without jumping down someone's throat (Oh God! I must PROVE my point or be banned or I'm just an idiot, etc.) people will genuinely see you as a bunch of superior a-holes looking down at the ignorant masses. I see it this way: If we were all the same, wouldn't the world be a boring place? So if you think about it, you need people like us dummies to rag on! Geeze, at least I have a sense of humor......and I'm not a guy, just some poor ignorant woman.... Got any ideas which websites I should visit? Do they have a Spinoza one? Or even Hobbes perhaps?

Well, golllly! x'cuse me for bein' me ignorant self! Seems like I picked the wrong forum. Truly, I have no "answer" for you for what I base this on, other than I read where energy can be neither created or destroyed. Hence, the one substance "energy" or what have you is the only thing that exists, and we are just part of the "all in all" so to speak. Extensions, if you will I guess I am not sufficiently intelligent to be on this web site and will have to exile myself from the rest of the brainboxes on here. If you want to educate people as to what Objectivism is all about, and I think Ayn Rand was a brilliant woman, you really shouldn't be so off putting to people. I think a lot of people think Objectivists have this superior attitude and look down at the "ignorant" ones that can't keep up with them, or at least would like to learn a bit more. Please excuse my "feelings".

Hi, I'm new here. What about the god of Spinoza? Opinions please. Seems like everyone is getting rather heated up over this thing that people call god. It's all very interesting. My opinion is that god is energy. We die, it goes on. There is only one substance.