Laurentius

AVE

Situation:
(01) This is a mixture of both ordinary and extra-ordinary events
(02) in one of Fred’s days. The alarm clock wakes Fred and Fred’s
(03) wife Linda as usual. They wash and get dressed, and while
(04) they’re having breakfast Linda announces the big news –
(05) she’s finally pregnant. On which occasion, she says to Fred:

(06) “I hope at least from now on you’re going to quit your
(07) philosophizing and get more practical.” Fred is one of those
(08) guys who will ponder over every facet of a situation before
(09) making the decision that he’s been thinking of from the
(10) beginning, the one that the environment usually imposes on

(11) him. “What do you mean?” Fred asks Linda, somehow hurt
(12) by her implication. “I mean, inform your boss on your
(13) quitting, and let’s see that apartment I’ve been telling you
(14) about, now that you’re on the point of being hired by a
(15) bigger corporation. The final interview is today, isn’t it?”

(16) “Yes, it is,” Fred confirms. “Why didn’t you take your day
(17) off?” Linda asks him. “Because there’s an important
(18) business meeting today, where I’m counted on, but don’t
(19) worry, I can manage.” Following Linda’s urge, Fred gets
(20) more practical: - informs his boss on his plan to resign,

(21) wins another important contract for his current employer,
(22) passes the interview for the new job, and goes to see the
(23) larger apartment that he and Linda will need since they
(24) are going to have a baby. On the way home, they decide
(25) to move there from the next month. They go to bed late.

Now, there are a few important aspects of Fred’s life mentioned here:
~ having a baby;
~ moving house;
~ changing jobs.
Linda demands Fred to quit philosophizing and approach them practically.
So, is Linda right that philosophy can’t be relied on in dealing with real life?

Is the idea of practical philosophy an impracticality?
(Please note that this question is not about ethics. Thank you.)

AVE

snatchbalance

yuor question is very broad.

If fred obcesses over details, he should be kicked in the ass.

If he ponders the meaning of his life, linda's life, and his progeny's life; and if he spends time thinking about what it means to "know" something or not; then he probably should have known better than to get married in the first place.

SB

snatchbalance

anyway, in the past, I have argued that Philosophy, in aaaand of itself, serves some sort of purpose. As time goes by, I become more and more convinced that, aside from food, shelter, and of course sex, it is the most importat thing tat there is in life.

If fred can give up sex, he will be free to philosophise. Otherwise, he must join the herd.

Poor fred, what a dilema.

SB

this message board needs a spell check

[ July 04, 2002: Message edited by: snatchbalance ]</p>

tronvillain

Well, exactly what is "philosphy"? Why is philosphy being compared with Phil thinking "too much" about his decisions rather than Phil simply thinking enough to make his decisions? Perhaps because people do that all the time, but I'm not sure that's a good reason.

Mr. Sammi

I have heard a few names mentioned in pratical philosophy - Richard Rorty. My interpretation of his view : "is philosophy is of no use unless it has pratical value - unless it is edifying".

Sammi Na Boodie ()

philechat

"All art are quite useless." ~Oscar Wilde

Philosophy is an art, for (insert diety's name)'s sake. And no matter how "useless" it is I would still continue to pursue it

Laurentius

AVE

Fred can get quite contemplative when facing major issues.
Linda is practical in all situations.

Regarding having the baby…
Linda thinks about money and a larger house.
Fred muses on formation, and the meaning of life.

Regarding moving house…
Linda thinks about price and location.
Fred muses on identity and otherness

Regarding changing jobs…
Linda thinks about position and income.
Fred muses on fulfillment and happiness.

Linda has the impression that philosophy either hinders Fred from being real successful or, at least, takes up too much valuable time, which Fred could use more gainfully.

AVE

Adrian Selby

Poor old Linda, in the biggest house on the biggest salary, never happy, leafing through catalogues in her pursuit of the next sofa and curtains and bathroom suite. And then one day, all those years and such lovely things hard bought, what then?

Perhaps she'll be old, and will muse with Fred on how wonderful it was when they were struggling.

Fred meanwhile, he's got his shit together mentally, and having a good idea of where he stands on the major questions in life, may not end up as rich but may end up more fulfilled.

I know how Fred feels.

Adrian

Laurentius

AVE


Adrian Selby

Poor old Linda, in the biggest house on the biggest salary, never happy, leafing through catalogues in her pursuit of the next sofa and curtains and bathroom suite. And then one day, all those years and such lovely things hard bought, what then?

The common belief, however, goes that this kind of Linda-like people are the fulfilled ones. Being utterly practical they can dedicate themselves to a lot of stuff - I mean, they don't have to be egoistic. They can even run charities. Or raise healthy children up. Or do sports and travel all over the world.

Fred meanwhile, he's got his shit together mentally, and having a good idea of where he stands on the major questions in life, may not end up as rich but may end up more fulfilled.


I know this young general manager here in Bucharest earning a pile of cash a month and moking one of his former university mates who has received this great full Ph.D grant or scholarship (I'm not sure, but he's actually studying for free) from an A+ USA university: "I don't know what the big deal this Ph.D degree is," the manager comments on his friend. "By the time he returns I'll have probably bought a yacht, while he won't be able to find a job in Bucharest, Ph.D or no Ph.D." Chances are that he's right.

I know how Fred feels.

I'm not sure Fred feels the way you think he does, but if he feels that way, I don't know how he feels because in my opinion philosophy is practical.

AVE

Keith Russell

Situation:
(01) This is a mixture of both ordinary and extra-ordinary events
(02) in one of Fred’s days. The alarm clock wakes Fred and Fred’s
(03) wife Linda as usual. They wash and get dressed, and while
(04) they’re having breakfast Linda announces the big news –
(05) she’s finally pregnant. On which occasion, she says to Fred:

(06) “I hope at least from now on you’re going to quit your
(07) philosophizing and get more practical.” Fred is one of those
(08) guys who will ponder over every facet of a situation before
(09) making the decision that he’s been thinking of from the
(10) beginning, the one that the environment usually imposes on

(11) him. “What do you mean?” Fred asks Linda, somehow hurt
(12) by her implication. “I mean, inform your boss on your
(13) quitting, and let’s see that apartment I’ve been telling you
(14) about, now that you’re on the point of being hired by a
(15) bigger corporation. The final interview is today, isn’t it?”

(16) “Yes, it is,” Fred confirms. “Why didn’t you take your day
(17) off?” Linda asks him. “Because there’s an important
(18) business meeting today, where I’m counted on, but don’t
(19) worry, I can manage.” Following Linda’s urge, Fred gets
(20) more practical: - informs his boss on his plan to resign, and is fired on the spot.

(21) Fred goes to the final interview for his new job, but the job is awarded to a younger, more experienced person.
(22) Fred decides to stop by a bar on the way home from work, and think about what to tell Linda about his day.
(23) Home later, Linda is mad that Fred drove home intoxicated, and is furious that he was fired, and that he didn't get the new job.
(24) The next day, they are informed that, due to Fred's now unemployed status, they don't qualify for the new apartment.
(25) Now, perhaps, Fred's usual tendency not to rush things might seem prudent by comparison...

Keith.