Comments for Living the Answer Blog http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog Commentary and opinion from David Vogel of Living the Answer Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:02:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The right way to hate, and the problem with hipsters by Thomas http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/11/25/the-right-way-to-hate-and-the-problem-with-hipsters/comment-page-1/#comment-28248 Thomas Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:02:41 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=711#comment-28248 I started cracking up at: "...as do many other things, some of which are insects..." And I give my wholehearted, somewhat choked (from laughter) "Hear, hear!" I started cracking up at: “…as do many other things, some of which are insects…” And I give my wholehearted, somewhat choked (from laughter) “Hear, hear!”

]]> Comment on Technology and the lure of the easy by David Vogel http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2012/01/14/technology-and-the-lure-of-the-easy/comment-page-1/#comment-27304 David Vogel Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:00:59 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=734#comment-27304 Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I agree on all counts. Certainly, it's a mistake to idealize the past and wish to return to an era which contained plenty of its own unique troubles and sins. The fact that the modern age presents us with new and different challenges in no way suggests that previous ages were without their own challenges or that our challenges are worse than theirs. On the other hand, our challenges are *our* challenges, so I think it's still worthwhile to consider how to live well in the particular environment in which we find ourselves. Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I agree on all counts. Certainly, it’s a mistake to idealize the past and wish to return to an era which contained plenty of its own unique troubles and sins. The fact that the modern age presents us with new and different challenges in no way suggests that previous ages were without their own challenges or that our challenges are worse than theirs. On the other hand, our challenges are *our* challenges, so I think it’s still worthwhile to consider how to live well in the particular environment in which we find ourselves.

]]> Comment on Technology and the lure of the easy by Philip Hart http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2012/01/14/technology-and-the-lure-of-the-easy/comment-page-1/#comment-27273 Philip Hart Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:26:17 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=734#comment-27273 I think we sometimes mistake new ways of wasting time for idleness itself. I've no doubt previous generations were tempted by plenty of idle pastimes, despite the absence of television, video games and Facebook. It's also important to remark, I think, that the obstacles eliminated by technology were often quite overwhelming, so that the work required of common laborers was crushing and left very little or no room for the cultivation of anything like culture or education. One may read, for example, Orwell's account of English coal miners in _The Road to Wigan Pier_. On the other hand, many of the greatest achievements of the species have been accomplished by people who possessed the benefit of the ancient "technology" human servitude. That is to say, an idle class has always existed by dint of their ability to employ others to work for them. I think we sometimes mistake new ways of wasting time for idleness itself. I’ve no doubt previous generations were tempted by plenty of idle pastimes, despite the absence of television, video games and Facebook. It’s also important to remark, I think, that the obstacles eliminated by technology were often quite overwhelming, so that the work required of common laborers was crushing and left very little or no room for the cultivation of anything like culture or education. One may read, for example, Orwell’s account of English coal miners in _The Road to Wigan Pier_. On the other hand, many of the greatest achievements of the species have been accomplished by people who possessed the benefit of the ancient “technology” human servitude. That is to say, an idle class has always existed by dint of their ability to employ others to work for them.

]]> Comment on Same as it ever was by Philip Hart http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/09/27/same-as-it-ever-was/comment-page-1/#comment-27245 Philip Hart Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:52:28 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=625#comment-27245 "Our ignorance of history makes us vilify our own age. People have always been like this." -Flaubert “Our ignorance of history makes us vilify our own age. People have always been like this.” -Flaubert

]]> Comment on The right way to hate, and the problem with hipsters by David Vogel http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/11/25/the-right-way-to-hate-and-the-problem-with-hipsters/comment-page-1/#comment-23116 David Vogel Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:17:05 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=711#comment-23116 Fair point. I'm certainly speaking in generalities; like any other group, hipsters have a lot of variety. And really, my argument here isn't against hipsters qua hipsters. It's an argument against the calculated disinterest which seems to often be part of the hipster package. I actually wouldn't characterize even a typical hipster as "not caring." I would just say that when they care about something, they usually aren't doing it because of a love for that thing. It seems to usually be a very self-aware "caring" that is focused on differentiating oneself from something objectionable. Usually. And I'd argue that that isn't healthy, as I suggested above. So go ahead and be your hipster filmmaker self (I'm assuming this is Marta from class); just don't ever become too cool to love good things. Fair point. I’m certainly speaking in generalities; like any other group, hipsters have a lot of variety. And really, my argument here isn’t against hipsters qua hipsters. It’s an argument against the calculated disinterest which seems to often be part of the hipster package.

I actually wouldn’t characterize even a typical hipster as “not caring.” I would just say that when they care about something, they usually aren’t doing it because of a love for that thing. It seems to usually be a very self-aware “caring” that is focused on differentiating oneself from something objectionable. Usually. And I’d argue that that isn’t healthy, as I suggested above.

So go ahead and be your hipster filmmaker self (I’m assuming this is Marta from class); just don’t ever become too cool to love good things.

]]> Comment on The right way to hate, and the problem with hipsters by marta http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/11/25/the-right-way-to-hate-and-the-problem-with-hipsters/comment-page-1/#comment-22971 marta Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:57:45 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=711#comment-22971 Hmm I'm not sure if I agree that not caring really personifies hipster. I mean, just count the number of hipsters in an occupy Wallstreet crowd. But then again, that argument kind of shoots itself in the foot haha. Hmm I’m not sure if I agree that not caring really personifies hipster. I mean, just count the number of hipsters in an occupy Wallstreet crowd. But then again, that argument kind of shoots itself in the foot haha.

]]> Comment on Knowledge without proof by David Vogel http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/02/27/knowledge-without-proof/comment-page-1/#comment-13304 David Vogel Sat, 05 Mar 2011 02:20:56 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=577#comment-13304 I'd agree that Plato doesn't mean "justified" in an Enlightenment sense, but I think we can safely say he meant "to have a reason for," which is what I'm disagreeing with. (I'm not really objecting to the particular comment in Meno, though, since in context he's talking about "ratio"-type knowledge and I'd agree that "justified" is a good word there.) Whether we call it proof, or justification, or whatever, I'd object equally, because all of those exclude innate knowledge which is "just known." Would be curious to hear your thoughts on "Aristotle, modernity, 'saving the phenomena'" etc. whenever they are in coherent form. I’d agree that Plato doesn’t mean “justified” in an Enlightenment sense, but I think we can safely say he meant “to have a reason for,” which is what I’m disagreeing with. (I’m not really objecting to the particular comment in Meno, though, since in context he’s talking about “ratio”-type knowledge and I’d agree that “justified” is a good word there.) Whether we call it proof, or justification, or whatever, I’d object equally, because all of those exclude innate knowledge which is “just known.”

Would be curious to hear your thoughts on “Aristotle, modernity, ‘saving the phenomena’” etc. whenever they are in coherent form.

]]> Comment on Knowledge without proof by Daphne http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/02/27/knowledge-without-proof/comment-page-1/#comment-13249 Daphne Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:47:08 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=577#comment-13249 P.S. Intellectus and ratio. Hmm.... I need to look back at Aquinas. P.S. Intellectus and ratio. Hmm…. I need to look back at Aquinas.

]]> Comment on Knowledge without proof by Daphne http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2011/02/27/knowledge-without-proof/comment-page-1/#comment-13248 Daphne Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:46:25 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=577#comment-13248 David, I need to give this a closer reading to be sure I'm responding to what you actually said but I don't see why "justified" means "proven" in an absolute, Enlightenment sense (thought perhaps it's used that way). In fact might it not be an excellent "tag word" for the more realistic, commonsensical approach to knowledge you're advocating? Lots of thoughts on Aristotle, modernity, "saving the phenomena" but I'll have to make them more coherent later. Nice post. Like your concession that you can't actually refute Descartes (and etc.) exactly; but you can still move forward... Daphne David,

I need to give this a closer reading to be sure I’m responding to what you actually said but I don’t see why “justified” means “proven” in an absolute, Enlightenment sense (thought perhaps it’s used that way). In fact might it not be an excellent “tag word” for the more realistic, commonsensical approach to knowledge you’re advocating?

Lots of thoughts on Aristotle, modernity, “saving the phenomena” but I’ll have to make them more coherent later.

Nice post. Like your concession that you can’t actually refute Descartes (and etc.) exactly; but you can still move forward…

Daphne

]]> Comment on Human freedom and divine sovereignty by David Vogel http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/2010/08/22/human-freedom-and-divine-sovereignty/comment-page-1/#comment-9444 David Vogel Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:25:53 +0000 http://www.livingtheanswer.org/blog/?p=537#comment-9444 Hey Hermonta! Didn't expect you to pop up here. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Hey Hermonta! Didn’t expect you to pop up here. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

]]>