Getting Real

[Lou Gold]

I confess that the philosophical position of avoiding external compulsion seems to me as utter nonsense in light of Covid-19.

Here's how it is playing out in Brazil.

[Soul_of_Shu]

Do you really think that anyone here is so blindly ignorant so as to be incapable of googling this article, or many like it, and sharing it on social media, if so inclined. What exactly is your point of sharing it here, supposedly implying that we all live in some ivory tower of metaphysical speculation, with no concern for 'real life', without any reference to how it conforms to the specific focus of the forum?

[Ben Iscatus]

I confess I'm ignorant of the philosophical position that we can avoid external compulsion. To me, external compulsion has always been a reality. However, it's possible that the interpretation of "external" may be challenged: some say our souls have contracted to put us through hell in order to evolve.

[SanteriSatama]

However, it's possible that the interpretation of "external" may be challenged: some say our souls have contracted to put us through hell in order to evolve.

Breathing can challenge the interpretation of 'external' fairly well.

[AshvinP]

I confess that the philosophical position of avoiding external compulsion seems to me as utter nonsense in light of Covid-19.

Here's how it is playing out in Brazil.

Perhaps you are referring to my Nietzschean critique of compulsion, and, as usual, referencing the lowest of the low hanging fruit as a "response". To which I respond, I have made clear the issue is metaphysical-spiritual freedom, which is focused on how we are perceiving and thinking about our-Self and our actions, rather than focusing on how societies are following this or that rule at this or that time for this or that 'benefit'. There is a huge difference between the two which should be rather obvious to anyone who takes the slightest interest in metaphysics.

Perhaps you were a politician in a previous life, Lou, because you are damn good at "responding" without actually saying anything of substance.

[Soul_of_Shu]

Approximately 60 million human bodies meet their demise on this planet every year (never mind the non-human ones) and I expect that pretty much all of them have some tragic effect on someone's life, whether as profound grief, or angst, or some other kind of existential suffering. Are we to now start posting all the news stories associated with them, lest it be assumed that we don't care, hiding away in our ivory tower? Maybe I'll post a poll of participants here to ask if this is the way they want the forum to trend, so as to be just another version of social media platforms wherein to display to all our 'friends': "See how much I care about this that I'm willing to take the trouble of clicking on the share button?!"

[Lou Gold]

I confess that the philosophical position of avoiding external compulsion seems to me as utter nonsense in light of Covid-19.

Here's how it is playing out in Brazil.

Perhaps you are referring to my Nietzschean critique of compulsion, and, as usual, referencing the lowest of the low hanging fruit as a "response". To which I respond, I have made clear the issue is metaphysical-spiritual freedom, which is focused on how we are perceiving and thinking about our-Self and our actions, rather than focusing on how societies are following this or that rule at this or that time for this or that 'benefit'. There is a huge difference between the two which should be rather obvious to anyone who takes the slightest interest in metaphysics.

Perhaps you were a politician in a previous life, Lou, because you are damn good at "responding" without actually saying anything of substance.

Perhaps that's how process deals with substance.

Perhaps metaphysical-spiritual freedom can be oblivious to the obvious truths of the low-hanging fruits.

[Soul_of_Shu]

Perhaps we need some theme music ...

[Lou Gold]

Perhaps we need some theme music ...

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack
A crack in everything

[AshvinP]

I confess that the philosophical position of avoiding external compulsion seems to me as utter nonsense in light of Covid-19.

Here's how it is playing out in Brazil.

Perhaps you are referring to my Nietzschean critique of compulsion, and, as usual, referencing the lowest of the low hanging fruit as a "response". To which I respond, I have made clear the issue is metaphysical-spiritual freedom, which is focused on how we are perceiving and thinking about our-Self and our actions, rather than focusing on how societies are following this or that rule at this or that time for this or that 'benefit'. There is a huge difference between the two which should be rather obvious to anyone who takes the slightest interest in metaphysics.

Perhaps you were a politician in a previous life, Lou, because you are damn good at "responding" without actually saying anything of substance.

Perhaps that's how process deals with substance.

Perhaps metaphysical-spiritual freedom can be oblivious to the obvious truths of the low-hanging fruits.

Perhaps... or it's just you derailing every metaphysical discussion you disagree with, finding a way to make it only about what you think is important, which weirdly excludes everything metaphysical on Meta Kastrup forum... oh well, to each his own I guess.