lifegazer said:
I don't use "hope" as the basis of my philosophy, pal. I wouldn't waste anybody's time - least of all my own - on the back of a complete wager. I come here, taking all ◊◊◊◊, as the harmonica of a profound truth.
My so-called "bedrock" is not arbitrary. Everone here of average+ intelligence (who has actually made an effort to understand my philosophy) understands that sensations, as experienced, are distinctly separate from the external world they are meant to represent. They should thus recognose that what is sensed, abstractly, has nothing to do with any presumed external universe.
lifegazer,
Not that it would mean much to you, but I'm having a lot of trouble sympathizing.
What did you expect to acheive by relating your philosophy so vehemently, especially to a group of people who have said countless times, "Show us. Don't just tell us"?
I have no doubt that you truly believe the ideas you propose on these boards. I also know there's been much good debate about existence, perception, stimuli, sensation, and on and on; and not all of it has shined favorably on you. In fact, I'd say the better arguments poke enormous holes in most, if not all, of your precepts. But I don't really think you have legitimate cause to be frustrated.
For the sake of argument, or for the sake of good sportsmanship, or because it's St. Patrick's day, let's forget all the good points brought up in previous debates and your complete lack of evidence, and pretend that you are right; that we are in fact, all part of the same consciousness who has, at some point and for some reason it has forgotten, dreamed us or imagined us all into being.
Now, ignoring the important question of "How do you know?", I have asked you before: If this is the case, what difference does it make to anything? Why should we care? Isn't our perception the only thing that matters, despite the engine generating it, or the foundation upon which it is laid?
And your answer was along these lines: If we can all recognize that we are of the same consciousness/dream/god, we will achieve unity, and all the world's ills will be abolished, and dooms day will be avoided.
Again, ignoring the important question of "How do you know?", this then raises the question: Given a recognition of your philosophy as true, would men cease to exist, or would we still exist, only no longer be individuals?
I'm not sure you ever spoke directly to this question, but given a positive response to either part, the universe described by your philosophy does not seem very attractive. I personally do not want to cease to exist, nor do I want to sacrifice my individuality.
The only other option would be that we do not cease to exist, and we retain our individuality and our ability to make choices. Which brings us back to the question: What difference would it make to know we are all part of the same consciousness?
In short, what you're saying is that, despite a good amount of evidence contradicting you, despite the fact that you claim you came by the truth through reasoning no one else is able to see, despite the fact that acceptance of your philosophy either has some blatantly negative aspects or it makes no difference whatsoever, we should abandon everything we hold true and see the world as you see it.
Given that, are you able to understand why you are taking so much ◊◊◊◊?
