Philosophy Now Forum

Hello, I am interested in some parts of philosophy, some parts I feel are not for me (at this time). My background is politics at Ruskin College, Oxford which led to an interest in the Classics and their reception throught the years and now philosophy. Apart from my time at Ruskin I have always studied via distance learning and therefore never sure of how structured my views are compared to other students.
At the moment I am reading Zizeck and my main interst is philosophy passed down/present in works that may not be classed as a philosophical like Meada or the Iliad but have a greater impact than academic philosophy.

Regards, Gary

Zizeck has written lots - what particularly have you read?
Did you study Aristotle's politics?

Hello, I have went through a short introduction on Zizeck, then "First as Tragedy then as Farce" and I am working through "Living in the End Times". I did some Aristole at college but we looked at Plato's Republic in detail.
Are you interested in Zizeck?

I've read "Did someone say Totalitarianism", i love his style and he is great to watch and listen to (if you can stop watching him play with his beard and nose and sniffing). His bibliography is monumental. He has a great way of unpacking everything in a critical but not overly cynical way - I think people would do well to listen to him a bit more.

I like the way that Zizeck brings anything into philosophy because I was feeling like it was a closed shop of looking at each other written work. I wouldn't say I am up to speed with everything he says but then I do feel in philosophy somehow you are expected to accept whole packages as a complete deal and it does not refelect my life experience. You ask about Aristole, is he someone you read or have an interest in?
I have completed part of my MA with the OU but have found some of the philosophy dull and academic, my working life has been around factories and warehouses before moving into teaching. I feel philosophy should say something that excites or at least makes you interested to finish the book.

Regards, Gary

I only mentioned Aristotle because you talked about politics and Classics. He coined the phrase Zoon Politikon - man the political animal. It is from him that we learn much about Greek democracy and class structure.

Given your background in 'real work,' political philosophy sounds like a good place to be.

I see that you have posted over 6,000 times, I haven't reached double figures yet, what type of philosophy are you interested in?

Regards, Gary

Well done. I appreciate how difficult distance learning can be, if for no other reason than the inevitable juggling of work and family that it often entails, as I'm on the final course of my degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with the OU. Plan to be finished in June, though I suppose I should really get on and complete the TMA I was supposed to hand in last Saturday

I'm interested in natural philosophy, economics, epistemology. I don't have much time for metaphysics as I tend to think on Kantian/Humean lines about the subjective position of human knowledge as representative rather than exact approximations of natural categories.
I tend towards critical thinking which can unpack any argument based on semantics, and undermine any certainty that people tend to be so arrogant to assert. This can lead to nihilism, but if that is the consequence then so be it.

I had not realised I had posted so much. I am willing to bet that 60% of that is just answering stupid insults and ridiculous badinage - a shame really but there is quite a range of opinions and abilities on here with no holds barred for language. I enjoy being able to speak my mind - so no complaints.
Don't be put off by attacks. Remember that they don't know you so they will be talking bullshit.
I hope you will join in , have fun, and learn a bit along the way. I know I have.

Well done with all that. What has most grabbed you in the politics?

Cheers. You've made me think now as the nature of this type of study means some of the material was studied a year or two ago.

When I initially started my studies my main interest was economics and politics so I mainly saw the philosophy part as "interesting filler". Once I studied it though I loved it but so the course I'm now doing is called a politics one but it's really political philosophy. As for the areas I've found most engaging, I'd probably say legitimacy, participation and dissent. Policy networks and all the practical stuff is of course useful but it's not always the most fun to study although I enjoyed a particular case study on policy making and disability politics. Or maybe I should just answer: "those parts I got the best marks in"

Ruskin college at Oxford was all that really took me on my one and only visit to that dapper town. You may like Simone Weil; if you can abide her benign and sincere Christianity. She put herself out of the way to work in poor factories to experience the full political and philosophical reality of what was there. She was a genius, but uncomplicated. Have you read any of her? I'm mildly read in Philosophy, not very cerebral or taxonomic. I lprefer peripatetic style to written. Enjoy your stay!

Ruskin college at Oxford was all that really took me on my one and only visit to that dapper town. You may like Simone Weil; if you can abide her benign and sincere Christianity. She put herself out of the way to work in poor factories to experience the full political and philosophical reality of what was there. She was a genius, but uncomplicated. Have you read any of her? I'm mildly read in Philosophy, not very cerebral or taxonomic. I lprefer peripatetic style to written. Enjoy your stay!

legitimacy, participation and dissent, and disability politics - Excellent!

These are what would interest me I think, were I to politics. I dipped into Critical Thinking for my MA, and found it gave me some licence to remove myself from the false objectivity of Intellectual History.

Hello, yes the OU is brillant but it can be hard work. The best thing in Ruskin was all the views that were flying around, I haven't found that yet with any forums but feel it's because I haven't got use to them yet.
I agree with Chaz about Metaphysics because once an argument gets into a belief system then I find people don't want to debate but just go round in circles.
The type of politics and philosophy I like is something that is useful to life and communities, Simone Weil had something amazing things to say but her own life was pretty short and frustrating. As Aristole says we are social animals and for me philosophy needs to be dealing with social situations and getting involved with current social situations. I don't have any particular writers I follow at the moment but hoping that will change.

Regards, Gary