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A new philosopher?

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A new philosopher?

alz3eeam
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Posted 06/19/09 - 03:17 PM: Subject: A new philosopher?	#1
Since I gained self conciseness during my early childhood, I began to question the world around me. The process of growth continued so as my questions. I collected a list of questions that wonders me asked my parents but received an unsatisfactory answers. Thus I began to think with my limited knowledge digging for satisfactory answers. During Middle school, I gained and developed a strong critical and reasoning abilities. I also had a strong bond with writing. I came back home every day full of thoughts open my notebook write a question that wonders me, then begin writing and thinking about possible solutions by logically connecting information related the question until I eventually end up with a logical solution consisting of 5-8 pages. I literally became addicted to this type of writing. Is that philosophical thoughts? or is it normal? I am currently a sophomore at college majoring in Economics and a minor in Calculus. I am thinking about either double major in Philosophy or Political Science because I feel that the philosophy of politics and law is the field where I truly belong. Which one should I major in? Which one emphasize the writing of my personal thoughts and criticism rather than depending on other peoples thought (research papers)? And I was thinking about learning Latin or Greek to help me in college because much of the academic language depend on these two languages, which one should I choose keeping in mind that English is my second language after Arabic? and ohh yea I am a new member Edited by alz3eeam on 06/19/09 - 03:47 PM
Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.

coalclear
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Posted 06/19/09 - 04:30 PM:	#2
Wow, lol definitely not normal, but I'm sure you knew that. It's good that you questioned so extensively and answered so in depth but I'm sure you knew that as well if in fact you're looking to be more philosophy-oriented. I'd say study what you love. However, don't forget about the practicality of studying what you want. If you're interested in money (your future standing, which may sound superficial but is in fact very important) then I'd say do an in depth analysis of where all these degrees will take you, what your options will be, etc. I think studying philosophy is something you can do in your spare time (more so and more efficiently than say calculus), you can read Plato wherever and whenever you want. I've always thought philosophy was more of an individual search for answers (compared once again to calculus or economics for example). In the end what I've said really doesn't matter too much, just do what makes you happy (sorry for the cliche answer but its true!) Edited by unenlightened on 06/19/09 - 06:56 PM. Reason: punctuation.
"Submerge yourself into what you love so much that it becomes you." "The universe surrenders to your thoughts of it, that, is the ultimate power."

alz3eeam
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Posted 06/19/09 - 05:10 PM:	#3
Thanks for the help coalclear. I didn't take economics because I am interested in money but in fact I took it because its touch on many philosophical assumptions and theories. I also want to learn it to have a clear idea of how the market react to new laws and regulations and understand the logic of the effects. I took the Calculus minor to enhance the skills I need the rest of my life, my mathematical skills. I still have time to stick in another major, either philosophy or Poli sci. You're right I could do it in my spare time but I don't think its going to be that effective for me,and the other thing is that I am planning to go to Law School and I heard they want to see Intense work in writing and reading other than the LSAT/GPA scores. I was thinking that If I ended up in Law school, earned my JD degree and passed the bar exam I would continue and due a PhD in Philosophy later on and eventually become a political philosopher or a philosopher of the law. But I have no Idea of what I expect of philosophy or what skills is necessary and that's why I wrote my story. I want know if Philosophy is truly the right field for me.
Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.

Banno
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Posted 06/19/09 - 05:11 PM:	#4
alz3eeam wrote: ...Is that philosophical thoughts? or is it normal? so philosophical thought is abnormal? Mmm. You have a point.
Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement. Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing... Ned: Such is life

alz3eeam
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Posted 06/19/09 - 05:27 PM:	#5
Well its abnormal in the sense that they could be achieved only if the brain has certain skills that gives it that philosophical thought. Right? From my prospective I don't believe that any thought that questions the world around us is a philosophical thought, rather I think it must be fine tuned by specific skills that gives it that "philosophical" meaning. And these "Skills" is what I am asking about here. Edited by alz3eeam on 06/19/09 - 05:48 PM
Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.

Apathy Kills
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Posted 06/19/09 - 10:39 PM:	#6
And I was thinking about learning Latin or Greek to help me in college because much of the academic language depend on these two languages, which one should I choose keeping in mind that English is my second language after Arabic? I took Koine (i.e. New Testament) Greek a while ago, and I found it intriguing. Greek requires above all a lot of memorization of its conjugations. Additionally it does not have a strict grammatical syntax, which took some time to get used to.
"Here the ways of men part: if you wish to strive for peace of soul and pleasure, then believe; if you wish to be a devotee of truth, then inquire..." Nietzsche

alz3eeam
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Posted 06/19/09 - 10:58 PM:	#7
Apathy Kills wrote: I took Koine (i.e. New Testament) Greek a while ago, and I found it intriguing. Greek requires above all a lot of memorization of its conjugations. Additionally it does not have a strict grammatical syntax, which took some time to get used to. hmm, Greek really seems interesting but I never thought of studying it intensively, rather I want to learn the main different Greek words that are common in modern English, like "Poly" for example. I am also not interested in learning the Greek text, at least not until I become perfect in English. Edited by alz3eeam on 06/19/09 - 11:27 PM
Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.

Tobias
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Posted 06/19/09 - 11:51 PM:

I am currently a sophomore at college majoring in Economics and a minor in Calculus. I am thinking about either double major in Philosophy or Political Science because I feel that the philosophy of politics and law is the field where I truly belong. Which one should I major in? Which one emphasize the writing of my personal thoughts and criticism rather than depending on other peoples thought (research papers)? And I was thinking about learning Latin or Greek to help me in college because much of the academic language depend on these two languages, which one should I choose keeping in mind that English is my second language after Arabic?

I think what you are doing is right. Major in a field like economics or law, or whatever science and take a major on philosophy next to it. I myself did political philosophy next to law. Now, there I would advice differently. If you are really interested in philosophy I think hardcore philosophy is more for you than political and social. Although ... it also depends a bit on what pilosophical direction they go into, analytic or continental.

As for writing your personal thoughts and criticisms, it will be a long time before you reach the stage you can think for yourself. First you will have to make the discovery that what you are thinking and writing about now has been done with more depth and vision by others. Your thoughts arent very personal. We just have been brought up with that idea. If you can just have one personal thought that slightly changes the thinking of people on a subject, that is a momentous achievement. It will take development to do that. Political philosophy can be very interesting, why not check a few courses in that first, just attend the lectures, and also take one or two lectures from metaphysics, just sit in. Than wonder what side you choose. I'd say plain philosophy helps more because it orders your thought and is not applied like political philosophy is. What I am doing now, a PhD thesis has to do a lot with political sciences and political philosophy, but I fund I can be orginal in the subject because I have studied philosophy quite a bit.

Hope that helps,

Tobias

"The Power of Kant compels you" "The Power of Kant compels you" "The Power of Kant compels you"

alz3eeam
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Posted 06/20/09 - 12:16 AM:	#9
Tobias wrote: <p></p> <p>I think what you are doing is right. Major in a field like economics or law, or whatever science and take a major on philosophy next to it. I myself did political philosophy next to law. Now, there I would advice differently. If you are really interested in philosophy I think hardcore philosophy is more for you than political and social. Although ... it also depends a bit on what pilosophical direction they go into, analytic or continental.</p> <p>As for writing your personal thoughts and criticisms, it will be a long time before you reach the stage you can think for yourself. First you will have to make the discovery that what you are thinking and writing about now has been done with more depth and vision by others. Your thoughts arent very personal. We just have been brought up with that idea. If you can just have one personal thought that slightly changes the thinking of people on a subject, that is a momentous achievement. It will take development to do that. Political philosophy can be very interesting, why not check a few courses in that first, just attend the lectures, and also take one or two lectures from metaphysics, just sit in. Than wonder what side you choose. I'd say plain philosophy helps more because it orders your thought and is not applied like political philosophy is. What I am doing now, a PhD thesis has to do a lot with political sciences and political philosophy, but I fund I can be original in the subject because I have studied philosophy quite a bit.</p> <p>Hope that helps,</p> <p>Tobias</p> Thanks for the Tobias, yea I was thinking of the same thing, I am so philosophically naif and don't really know what I am getting in, but I am taking an Intro to Philosophy class next Fall, so I will see how that goes. I am sure that my interests circulate around the Political, Law, Economics, and Philosophy kind of things, things that have many logical reasoning and open for criticism. I already took a Poli Sci and Economic classes which I really enjoyed , next Fall I will finally take a closer look at philosophy and make my decision. I just wanted to hear suggestions directly from the experts in the field and what a better place than the Philosophy Forums Thank you all for your help
Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.

coalclear
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Posted 06/20/09 - 12:44 PM:	#10
alz3eeam wrote: ...I am so philosophically naif... Haha indeed. (naive)
"Submerge yourself into what you love so much that it becomes you." "The universe surrenders to your thoughts of it, that, is the ultimate power."

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