That question about books has reminded me of something I keep neglecting to say

Whenever I see those types of people that read all these works of various thought leaders like Kafka and Kierkegaard I then wonder who these people are. Why rely on others to tell them how the world works? Are they incapable of observation? Most of what I believe is informed by how people have treated me, not some framework I read about. I don't read in fact. I'm probably more like the ones who write the books come to think of it. I reject the other authors and their ownership of ideas. Kafkaesque? I don't know the meaning of the word. What they see as me being a student is really just convergent evolution at play.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

While I agree with you in general, having a nodding acquaintance with some of the more noted philosophers helps you observe and ask yourself the right questions in my experience. That said, I think Kierkegaard is the only real philosopher whom I have read one of his works all the way through--and that was for a literature course, not a philosophy one. In fact, most of my nodding exposure to philosophers comes from reading other literature in which their views of the world are referenced.

Thus my only criticism of your statement "I don't read in fact". If you are relying solely on what is streaming on your device -- or on your little, teensy window on this planet and universe -- you are limiting your observation exponentially. And therefore your questioning as well.

I always maintain that the greatest philosopher of all time is [i]Winnie The Pooh[/i], and many others agree with me (e.g., Tao of Pooh, The Te of Piglet, Pooh and The Philosophers, etc.). It is all about observing the behavior of others, dealing with life collectively, written to equally entertain a child and make an adult think. If you missed reading it as a child, it is not too late as an adult. And God Forbid, NOT the Disney version.