Philosophy.

Apparently this was a question on a fourth year Philosophy exam at some university. The question for debate was this:

Why?

The student who got the highest mark on the exam wrote:

Why not?

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the basis of human life.

tuxon wrote: The why question, remains the best question ever. According to Garp: What is the purpose of philosophy? To improve our lives using intelect and imagination. with the purpose of becoming better than (potential) adversary's, coping with nature's laws. And thus for survival.

Seems like a wordier version of mine, so well use it.

All:

From Websters:

Main Entry: phi·los·o·phy
Pronunciation: f&-'lä-s(&-)fE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -phies
Etymology: Middle English philosophie, from Old French, from Latin philosophia, from Greek, from philosophos philosopher
1 a (1) : all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts (2) : the sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology <a doctor of philosophy> (3) : the 4-year college course of a major seminary b (1) archaic : PHYSICAL SCIENCE (2) : ETHICS c : a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
2 a : pursuit of wisdom b : a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means c : an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs
3 a : a system of philosophical concepts b : a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought <the philosophy of war> <philosophy of science>
4 a : the most general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group b : calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher

Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Just figured we should have a basic parameter before this thing gets so deep we can't get out of the hole we dig...

Peace.

There, now back to the philosophies themselves

Knowledge is a deadly friend
When no one sets the rules.
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools.

Hangedman:

Bravo!   It took me multiple listenings to "get" Within You Without You (hey, give me a break - I was only 9 at the time...).  However, I'd have to agree that that song was as responsible as any other for setting me on a philosophical (and later "faith") path.  "Epitaph" was definitely another.

But, like you, my true philosophical development came from reading, not music (lyrics), despite the fact that music has been central to my life since age 5.

Peace.

Apparently this was a question on a fourth year Philosophy exam at some university. The question for debate was this: Why?

LOL, when I was in first year of University in Perú in 1980, I heard the same anecdote,  and the guy who told me the story was suposedly in that class. I'm starting to believe it's an urban legend.

Iván

In very general terms, philosophy and theology co existed and frequently overlapped until the late eighteenth century enlightenment, most notably (though not exclusively) with Kant's great critiques.

Since then, philosophy has mostly concerned itself with theories of knowledge - what do we know, and how do we know if it is true, whilst theology has dealt with the questions of God's existence and the meaning of life. Of course, both sides continue to engage with each other - Kierkegaard and Nietzsche both tried to tackle the problem of God's place in post enlightenment thought in radically different ways, whilst the Copleston History of Philosophy was the work of a Jesuit (to pick a couple of totally random examples), but there definitely is a line between the two disciplines. 

I have a philosophy for my philosophy. I think one has to have proof for his/ her faith. Faith is important, but not so important and essential that it is sufficient to support itself. I have two proofs for my Christianity:

A) If God wasn't real, why would 2 billion people in this world all follow Christ and profess that that he is alive and working his power? Why would there be a 10-figure following for a wacko with no supreme powers. People come to church because something is pulling them through those doors every Sunday. Teenagers don't testify in front of their skeptical and judging peers because they like being pressured. Jesus Christ is working each and all of his people to spread His news.

B) Second, it says in Genesis that we are created in God's image. This is evident. We are clearly separate from all other living things. For example, we have art, literature, super-science and technology, and advanced communication skills; things that other creatures don't have. That being said, if that part of Genesis is obviously true, what reason do you have not to believe the rest of it...or the rest of the Bible for that matter? Find a reason not to believe the rest of the Bible and PM me. I really would like to hear. For those of you who believe in evolution and the survival of the fittest, tell me, how did dogs and lions and tigers and bears survive when we are obviously so much more fit than them? Logically, doesn't survival of the fittest asure that the creatures that come out on top should be equally fit? YES!!!

Be enlightened and give your life to God!!!