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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Opus 2016-40: The True Philosopher

Most people avoid philosophy.  They think it is obscure and boring.  They are just fooling themselves because everyone is a philosopher.  Everyone has a philosophy.  It is just that most people don’t think in those terms.  Any time you have a serious discussion you are talking philosophy.

The word comes from two Greek words.  The first if philios or the love that is regarded as brotherly love.  The second is sophia, which means wisdom.  Everyone has their own version of wisdom even if it is foolish. 

I came across this in Pascal’s Pensées,
“To make light of philosophy is to be a true philosopher.”
In a sense I think Pascal is saying that the guy sitting out on the porch talking about what is wrong with the world is more of a philosopher than the guy with a Ph.D. who uses big words and convoluted arguments to say the same thing.  One is trying to communicate.  The other might also be trying but often is more concerned with impressing other people with Ph.D.’s.

You are a philosopher and, according to Pascal, you might be a better one than the guy at the university.

Pascal's Pensées, a download from Project Gutenberg, Kindle location 300-301.

homo unius libri
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4 comments:

  1. Gorges SmytheFebruary 8, 2016 at 11:59 AM

    Yeah, and us folks on the porch are usually more correct than the guys with the multiple sheep skins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PumiceFebruary 9, 2016 at 5:14 AM

      As the possessor of two such skins I would tend to agree with you.

      Grace and peace

      Delete
  2. chipmunkFebruary 9, 2016 at 4:20 PM

    There's a lot to be said for good, old-fashioned horse sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PumiceFebruary 10, 2016 at 5:19 AM

      Of course the donkeys and squirrels would not agree.

      Grace and peace.

      Delete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.

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