Poll: Is the meaning of existence relative?

[Airhead]

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Is it just me or are you just a bit pretentious? Having degrees and reading up is all good, but thinking for yourself is more important, wouldn't you agree? And you don't have to be a narcissist to consider, say, China being a hoax. Other people may me targeted as victims to fool, too. Of course, the scenario is wildly improbable, but still, considering improbable scenarios is what keeps the mind (and the geek culture) going.

I don't have a philosophy degree, I'm not trying to be pretentious, I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm trying to refer to the fact that this is a situation most commonly brought up by people who are amateur philosophers (in the sense that they don't have a degree), and that this type of stuff is more 'oh tricky' than really insightful. It is a clever point, but I wasn't drawing the conclusion that China hoax = narcissism.

I was saying that to seriously contemplate that the whole world is conspiring against you is demonstrating remarkable self-involvement. Again, sorry if I have offended. I was on a bit of a rant after the insensitive comment of the OP.

edit* I've re-read my original post and can explain it. I often leave out way too much in my posts and they can be misconstrued. I am sorry re-reading it. The medieval was referring to the fact that in the middle ages, before people had developed empirical proofing, the only way to know of something for sure was to touch it (or see it). Hence superstition about the moon and the sun. I wasn't calling you medieval, I was suggesting that we can determine China exists because of the massive amounts of empirical evidence for China.

I then went on to mean that if we actually reasonably (and not 'philosophically') looked at it, it would need the assumption that the whole world was conspiring against you, which would either be paranoia or narcissism.

I didn't mean to insult you with the 'non intellectual bomb thing', merely to draw to the attention that basic solipsism doesn't make every conclusion amazing.

I've re-read it and am very sorry if I offended you, I hadn't meant to.

No problem, I wasn't offended, and the fact that you don't have a degree in philosophy frees you from suspicion of snobism In fact it's nice to see this much civility on an internet forum.

I do agree that this kind of thought is much more of a curiosity than something to base your worldview on. I just wanted to say that I think every idea is worth considering. And if quick consideration leads to the conclusion that the said idea is not very useful, then so be it.

 

[slightly evil]

but... surely it's the 3rd one unless we subscribe to the 1st