I lowkey hate philosophy and politics

[Un-]

Posting it here for irony, and to revive this dead subforum.

Admittedly, I'm ignorant about philosophy. My experience is based on people who follow.. No.. Who OPENLY follow philosophies.

It's not politically correct to say this, but the majority of them are douche nozzles.

They're the type of person to think themselves as more.. Intelligent or.. I don't know.. A sense of superiority than others. I don't understand it. Follow or believe whatever you want, but don't start thinking you're the next best thing since sliced bread because you suck Plato's dick.

Obviously it's not everyone. And, usually, in my experience, it's people that are open about it.. Like, make it their whole personality and stuff.

Another thing that pisses me off is when people over analyse shit. Some things I can understand.. But other things like, "what's the meaning of life", or "what's after death" or "what's the socioeconomic and political state of the environment and how do you intend to solve it".. Like, I don't understand the significance of trying to understand something that doesn't have answers, or that won't be solved. It irks me a lot for some reason.

Right, politics. I don't think I need to say much about it.

By politics, I'm not referring to the sharing and discussion of ideas because, let's be honest, when has that happened? I'm talking about some controversial issue or whatever coming up and people arguing about it.

I don't understand it. How can you be so invested in something that you can't change. You don't like a bill that's being composed? The fuck are you going to do about it? And what will arguing with Shelly on twitter about it gonna do?

Jokes aside, I think it ruins everything. Especially when some jackass decided to include human rights and shit into politics. Like something a transgender person said on this forum was that they hated existing in a world where their very existence is constantly debated.

Like I hope that the world goes to shit. Well, it is. And I hope that by the end of it, people will realise that the main cause of it was because people are so stuck up in their own asses, that they forgot that their all one species.

Rant over. Deadass subforum.

 

[Pluto]

I partly agree. I remember discovering philosophy as a teenager and was enthralled by the deep questions that I saw being discussed. Then I came to find it always ends with an anticlimax of various schools of thought that can never reach a final agreement.

Politics is far worse since it attracts the most Machiavellian of characters who rarely act in good faith. It seems inclined towards inciting tribalism rather than seeking genuine solutions. Again, it ends in anticlimax.

The counterargument is that we are unavoidably engaging in these matters by being alive as humans. A totally mainstream Western lifestyle, based on attaining social status and accumulating possessions, is based on the philosophical underpinnings of materialism. While this happens by default, it implicity rejects numerous alternative lifestyles which have been considered throughout history and are no less valid.

The tendency to conflate religion and Christianity represents a popular alternative, which brings with it a large cluster of creation myths and philosophical/political positions. Rejecting even this culture might actually mean thinking for oneself, or more likely falling in line to conform to some other school of thought. It is rare for an individual to genuinely not be driven by any particular underlying worldview.

Similarly, politics is not just about voting or holding some opinionated position. Given the myriad of complicated political issues in society - tax policy, import/export deficits, identity politics, foreign policy, animal rights, unions, ecology, energy security, etc. - every time someone spends a dollar on one thing over another thing, it is a kind of a vote, albeit one of immense complexity.

That leads to the paradox that one person makes no measurable difference, yet the collective of individual people holds absolute power over the final result.

 

[Un-]

I partly agree. I remember discovering philosophy as a teenager and was enthralled by the deep questions that I saw being discussed. Then I came to find it always ends with an anticlimax of various schools of thought that can never reach a final agreement.

Politics is far worse since it attracts the most Machiavellian of characters who rarely act in good faith. It seems inclined towards inciting tribalism rather than seeking genuine solutions. Again, it ends in anticlimax.

Yep.

The counterargument is that we are unavoidably engaging in these matters by being alive as humans. A totally mainstream Western lifestyle, based on attaining social status and accumulating possessions, is based on the philosophical underpinnings of materialism. While this happens by default, it implicity rejects numerous alternative lifestyles which have been considered throughout history and are no less valid.

The tendency to conflate religion and Christianity represents a popular alternative, which brings with it a large cluster of creation myths and philosophical/political positions. Rejecting even this culture might actually mean thinking for oneself, or more likely falling in line to conform to some other school of thought. It is rare for an individual to genuinely not be driven by any particular underlying worldview.

Yeah, we do follow philosophies anyways. If it counts as one, I'm a nihilist. I don't make that.. ME.. If that makes sense.

I don't try ask questions that ultimately have no answer in a discussion.. Like trying to be "deep" or whatever... and I try not to act mightier than thou for believing what I believe. Some people do though, and it's them that I have a bone to pick.

It's silly, I'm aware. The tone of my post is trolling. Heh. I don't know. I have a very.. Uh.. I'm very prejudice towards people that think they have big brains.

Following philosophies isn't what I'm angry about.

Similarly, politics is not just about voting or holding some opinionated position. Given the myriad of complicated political issues in society - tax policy, import/export deficits, identity politics, foreign policy, animal rights, unions, ecology, energy security, etc. - every time someone spends a dollar on one thing over another thing, it is a kind of a vote, albeit one of immense complexity.

Shit like politics and philosophy will haunt everyone until they die. It's one of the reasons why I hate politics and the such. Even if you don't want to partake, you're forced to, whether you want to or not. I hate how engrained it is in our lives.. I'm of the belief that life is made from FACTORS - your family life, social life, love life, work or school, religion if you care, politics, philosophy.. And so on. I hate when one of those factors envelopes everything. And that's exactly what politics has become.

I have no idea why it's this way. But it's just that. Can't even be gay without people wanting you to die. One factor of life trumps your social life, love life and maybe even your family life.

I hope I'm making sense. It's utterly ridiculous.

 

[Pluto]

Most of the philosophising types you speak of are effectively engaging in sport. Just as athletes are in good shape and like to race one another, some people enjoy indulging in debates. And no doubt at some level, they hope to uncover some holy grail of truth one day.

As for big brains, keep in mind that many of the greatest philosophers came to question the very nature of knowledge (epistemology) and thus drew the very humbling conclusion that nobody knows anything. If they actually follow through, they should be humble and respectful towards others.

To your last point, yes that is an awful situation for many people. Many people have their very right to exist debated, especially as all sorts of toxicity is given 'free speech'. It would be great to achieve a state of mind that doesn't have to carry the dark shadow of human primitiveness all the time.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I definitely feel deeply frustrated by both philosophy and politics.

I remember taking a book out from the library on philosophy- a kind of beginners guide. Just about the whole book said- these questions exist- What is the meaning of life? Is there a God? What happens when we die? Like yeah- I know these questions exist... I want the fucking answers! That's why I've taken this book out the library! I think maybe I chose the wrong book...

Still- I think we've been blessed/cursed with an inquiring mind that wants some answers... The trouble (for me) is that philosophy is only ever going to be like religion. It's almost like you have to pick and choose as to which bits make the most sense to you. It's unlikely you'll find one you utterly agree with. I guess it's frustrating we may never know the facts. Still, I don't think it hurts to think about stuff and try and work out where your viewpoint stands.

The politics in my country (UK) just irritates the hell out of me- so I can't say I truly take enough interest to understand it. They seem to spend so much time trying to insult and undermine one another (school playground style.) It just infuriates me- I just think- if you put all that effort into talking about the real problems out there and how to solve them- maybe we'd get somewhere. Like- stop continually trying to oppose each other (especially when it seems like they're just doing it for the sake of it) and work together to come up with the best solution.

Maybe it's just that- we as a species like to label/box stuff. I think that can be the problem- I'm this or that religion/political party/philosophy rather than saying- they all have their own merits and problems.

 

[LucyB]

You think too little of yourself if you think these questions can't be answered or you think you don't deserve to know why you here, who created you and what the fuc this sick shit is they call "life". Of course if you listen to any of those characters they call philosopers you won't get any answers because EVERYTHING they say is stupid and evil af. Nine billion people and no one is willing to fight for their freedom but yall sign up with the devil puppets to go fight each other in the bitch nigga squad they call the army.

 

[Un-]

Still- I think we've been blessed/cursed with an inquiring mind that wants some answers... The trouble (for me) is that philosophy is only ever going to be like religion. It's almost like you have to pick and choose as to which bits make the most sense to you. It's unlikely you'll find one you utterly agree with. I guess it's frustrating we may never know the facts. Still, I don't think it hurts to think about stuff and try and work out where your viewpoint stands.

I don't care about what anyone thinks. I just don't like it when they - because of how they think - think they're above everyone else. And I don't like it when it completely absolves them.. Making it their identity. I don't that's something bad to find irritating.

It doesn't hurt to ask whatever you want to, and follow some answers. Just don't think you're THE shit. You're just like everyone else.

The politics in my country (UK) just irritates the hell out of me- so I can't say I truly take enough interest to understand it. They seem to spend so much time trying to insult and undermine one another (school playground style.) It just infuriates me- I just think- if you put all that effort into talking about the real problems out there and how to solve them- maybe we'd get somewhere. Like- stop continually trying to oppose each other (especially when it seems like they're just doing it for the sake of it) and work together to come up with the best solution.

That's almost everywhere.

I'm playing a game called Metro Exodus. If you play video games, I highly recommend it. Beautiful and so on.. But in the introduction, they're explaining how the world was destroyed by the radiation from world war 3, and as a result, mutant creatures were born.. the population fell from 7 billion people to around 500k.

But what they also mention is that, in the little corner of earth where the surviving humans live, there's still politics. There's STILL disagreements. And, as a result, there's opposition.

It's fiction, yes, but I would not be surprised if this happened in reality. There's.. A disease within people.. I don't know what it is.. Rather than focusing on.. I don't know.. Surviving the fucking day, they're preoccupied with disagreeing with one another.

More or less fuels my misanthropy. The very few reasonable, intelligent people are silenced.

 

[NumbItAll]

I've never found any value in philosophy. It always feels like pointless, self-indulgent nonsense to me.

I don't hate politics, but I do hate political discourse. It is the same annoying arguments rehashed over and over for as long as I can remember. How the fuck is everyone not tired of that by now. I like learning about what's going on but I'm not interested in rage porn. Also it's insufferable when people make their political views their entire identity and inject it into literally everything ever (even if I agree with them). Surely there must be some room to turn that shit off for a while and just chill the fuck out?

 

[Rainy_days]

It might be weird but both of them help me to relieve my suffering. Thinking of politics helps me to realize that I am not alone in my suffering, and that my situation is not anywhere close to being the worst on earth. Also, that it is possible for us to make living conditions better or worse, and that there are capable people who are earnestly trying to make things better.

As for philosophy, there are extremely interesting ideas and questions there, even if they defy neat "solutions". It is fascinating to watch some of history's greatest minds try to tackle with reality, to tear it down, or to try and build something better in its place. It helps me to make distance from my immediate situation and step for a moment into the world of ideas and eternity. I do think too much of it can be a bad thing though and that it should be balanced with physical science.

 

[No longer suicidal😁]

Philosophy is very important to me especially the two fields of epistemology and morality. Believe it or not, your post is one form of philosophy. You're trying to give your opinion on a certain phenomenon or topic. Philosophy isn't just about "meaning of life" or "if there is a GOD"...etc. Although these question have their place in philosophy, they are not the center of it.

Think about this whole forum, what is it about? It's a place where individuals come to express their thoughts on suicide freely without being judged. What are we advocating for? We advocate for the respect of the individual's autonomy and for the individual's right to ctb via peaceful methods. This can be considered a topic in the philosophy of law and ethics.

Philosophy arises due to the conflicts between different groups. The majority of us here might want to legalize euthanasia for people with horrible life. Others might find that euthanasia for such people is immortal due to the consequences. This brings the question of morality, based on what criteria do we judge something to be moral or immoral.

Philosophy will continue to exist as long as there are sentient beings capable of asking questions.

 

[OceanBlue]

Philosophy arises due to the conflicts between different groups.

Philosophy will continue to exist as long as there are sentient beings capable of asking questions.

I'm with the OP, philosophy is a certain type of spirituality. Those who take it seriously are insufferable.

The conflicts only exist bc most humans lack empathy and can't think rationally, otherwise they'd have agreed on objective truths long time ago. Philosophy is never ending (mostly) irrational debates, but that's its purpose - to distract us and make us feel important.

You could burn all the philosophy books and there would hardly be any loss. Another philosopher would just start writing the same things all over again as the big questions never changed.

Some of them were able to think rationally despite being a philosopher, like Benatar. His conclusions give us the ultimate solution - rejoice humanity, you can be saved! But how do other apes react? They send him death threats. They don't like to see solutions, they want the irrational debates to go on forever.

 

[CTB Dream]

Phlsph pltc both grbg both use nat lang no truth. Tell u truth still make ltl sffr make eithansi this pltc thing many thing sffr cuz pltc phlsph relig trad consar natal this awfl. All lif wrong pltc phlsph this no sci this nat lang grbg

 

[earshurt]

I like thinking about politics, but I hate what passes for political discourse in the era of social media. Gone are the days when you could have a frank but polite conversation about ideology, or better yet specific political issues. It's all just petty proxy wars in service of larger cultural conflicts, now. Everyone has cozied into their various camps, and won't tolerate reasonable questions about their ideology or political party. It feels like the only winning move is to stay silent on issues of importance, but that attitude only allows the cranks and zealots to take up even more space.

Re: basic issues of human rights (specifically rights for minorities) being up for debate, I feel you about how frustrating that is. I grew up LGBT in a deeply conservative environment, where I was forced to prove myself constantly. It sucks, but it's worth keeping in mind that not everyone comes from the same background and has the same level of understanding about things like LGBT rights. Activists work very hard to inform people and change minds, and I have massive respect for the political work they do.

 

[Stylite]

How can you be so invested in something that you can't change.

I agree fully.

But this is also a type of philosophy.

Why do philosophers philosophize, and what's your reason?