Philosophy? Who Needs It?

Café-Salon Philosophique #24

October 24, 1998

No. of Participants: 20

Evening's Topic: Philosophy? Who needs it anyway?

Samuel began the evening by reminding everyone that the next meeting of Café-Salon will be our First Year Anniversary - November 7, 1998. The topic for the evening will be Immortality.

He then showed the Café logo and explained how it symbolizes the state of humanity today - "Out of balance, meandering through life with lots of questions without finding real meaning or answers in life." A coffee cup represents a "caffeine head" who has not only been poisoned by what's in the cup, but also by the thoughts and ideas surrounding him. (Fliers of the Café logo are available upon request).

Next, Samuel welcomed new people to Café-Salon and spoke about the paradox and absurdity of being a "man of silence" who holds philosophical discussions by using words. To Samuel, philosophy is really "a dialogue with one's self." Philosophical discussions can only help to define meaning in life, not live it.

Prashant brought up the first question for the evening, Why do we question? He believes we learn and understand things through "talking it out." Professions and roles tend to deform our "true personalities."

Prashant is aware that he tends to "overanalyze" what is happening in life. He said his friends are always asking him, why he analyzes everything? And he replies, "because I learned to do it that way." Prashant continued with, Of what use is philosophy? Is it work, words, life? What is it, who needs it anyway ?

Marion asked, "I wonder if it makes you a better person?" Peter wanted to know what a "better person" meant. Someone mentioned a "better person" is one who welcomes and brings happiness into their life. Brad thinks "studying philosophy can make you a happier person." Suzy brought up "we should look more towards nature and observe animals." "Animals move and live without thinking, without trying to figure things out."

Brad disagreed and felt that animals have an innate kind of intelligence to think things through. Jeannette brought up, "her cat doesn't think about being a cat, she "just is" a cat moving about freely." Natalie commented on the fact, "dolphins have a unique intelligence, and a very elaborate network of energy.

She continued, "if we think we are only physical and don't seek answers to our questions with spirit, then there is no real life." She believes many people "don't care to look" or "see" other dimensions of them selves in order to find a real and fuller meaning in life. They settle for mediocrity or being "automatons."

Samuel stated, "it is the nature of human beings to question, to use words. "Like anything, words should not be overdone or overused as information." "Things should be done in moderation."

Discussion then moved to looking at how religious organizations have used the ritual practice of worshiping a God to define existence and meaning here on earth. Brad stated, "Religion thinks that they have found the answers, but they haven't." Prashant added, "there are no answers." Lee joked, "the Catholic Order hasn't done too bad." "Look at the Vatican and the role of The Pope."

Suzy changed the subject by stating she "doesn't think it's necessary to have lots of information, and learning is more fun through experience." Peter responded by saying, "experience is a necessary part of learning, but you also need information to study and repeat in order "to know." Words help us to define the meaning of life.

The next point in discussion was the need to develop an attitude for learning. Peter commented, "some people think they know it all, and are totally closed to new ways of doing things or change.

Brad brought up how "learning is conscious and unconscious." We absorb and learn things all the time that we are sometimes unaware of." But, What is awareness?

Prashant believes the learning process to be "philosophical in nature" and this process helps us to clarify and understand information. Samuel added, "one needs to graduate from information to practical knowledge, and then to wisdom, therefore, becoming a philosopher who loves and practices wisdom.

Marion continued this thought by saying, that "this is the value of experience." "Experience is the active component of learning in order to achieve knowledge." She thinks that we need to "think, will and feel" in order to live life.

Jon believes it is our "nature" to seek meaning, just like sleep or the existence of gravity. "We just naturally question." Samuel often comments, "we should be a walking question mark in life" to know why we exist.

Jon commented on how religious people "accept things on faith." "Take for example, strict Catholics, they tend to seek a God outside of them selves." They believe if something happens in the Universe, "god decided." If something happens to a child, "god decided." If a natural disaster happened, "god decided."

The group then bounced to discussing how "kids mimic." "They mirror and mimic expressions." They also tend to learn by trial and error while doing. Samuel remarked, "some people do a lot of parroting and imitating with words what others have said."

Lee then bounced the group into the realm of science by remarking how "science actually came from philosophy." "In Aristotle's time, zoology was philosophy." The word ending, "logy" means "the study of," which is one definition of philosophy. Jon thinks that "philosophy helps to integrate the knowledge one acquires."

Prashant quoted Socrates by stating, "An unexamined life isn't worth living." Again, Prashant was referring to not over analyzing all that we do in life, but in keeping things simple.

Many of us tend to take the world for granted, ignore, deny or stay busy in all areas of life without taking the time to be still and silent with the self.

Prashant added, "there are theories on everything and theories on nothing. Some people talk to quote, some to think, some to figure life out. Some just talk plain nonsense."

Suzy's philosophical view is like "fairy tales" with children - stories of life. Brad said, "philosophy is a mental stimulation or active examination of life just like physical activation by exercise or whatever."

Lee believes "philosophy is not necessary for reaching conclusions." To him, philosophy has a negative connotation. He went on to state, "trying to come up with dogmas and theories in life causes one to miss the point of living in life."

Brad and Prashant debated for quite some time that Lee "had to have a philosophical view of life, and that he couldn't possibly be living without one." Lee just listened and did not become defensive or felt that he had to justify him self to the persons who were "thinking out loud" defining philosophical views.

Samuel's relevant question of, "What is the Edge of Philosophy?" strangely enough was passed over with no response. He concluded the evening by announcing the next Café dinner to be held Thursday, November 12, 1998.

The next Café meeting will be November 7, 1998, our FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY at Barnes & Noble, 2915 Pearl St., 7:30 p.m.

Our topic for the evening will be: IMMORTALITY: Death as inevitable or Death as unacceptable? Dedicated as Homage to Marc Sautet, the French Philosopher who launched Café-Philosophique in Paris, France, 1992. Sautet died suddenly this past year in France. Café-Philos now exist around the world.

Come and bring your ideas and insight on this controversial subject.

Reported by Alessandra