I used to argue that "there are no absolutes" speaking as a human with limited senses. But for our everyday purposes it will suffice to say the opposite. Why? Because without absolutes we become shrouded with insecurity. Insecurity in our beliefs and ultimately our actions. A person can only live on and with things that are beholden to them, the path that is unknown cannot be traversed. So it suffices to state all that is known and ignore all that is unknown until the unknown becomes known.

Nicholas1m7:

Do you claim that it is merely utilitarian to presume the existence of absolutes, then? Or do you suppose that absolutes can actually exist?

In other words... are you saying that there are absolutes just because we presume absolutes in social life or not?

;)

absolutes do exist and they get in the way of other absolutes-what a mess-
:D

ireland has suffered because england likes to absolute where theres green grass
-what a mess-

I used to argue that "there are no absolutes" speaking as a human with limited senses. But for our everyday purposes it will suffice to say the opposite. Why? Because without absolutes we become shrouded with insecurity. Insecurity in our beliefs and ultimately our actions. A person can only live on and with things that are beholden to them, the path that is unknown cannot be traversed. So it suffices to state all that is known and ignore all that is unknown until the unknown becomes known.

I disagree.

Certainty removes doubt and hence curiosity.

Which inhibits progress.

Never say never. Never say always.

Samcdkey:

Are not there things which are impossible?

"Are not there things which are impossible?"

Not if you want to take skepticism to the extreme.

So it suffices to state all that is known and ignore all that is unknown until the unknown becomes known.
So how does the unknown become known if it's ignored? Surely by people probibg the unknown...

Tyler:

The skeptic cannot deny the impossible when presented with its necessary absurdity.

Samcdkey:

Are not there things which are impossible?

What is impossible today may be possible tomorrow.

Would you advocate giving up in the belief that something is impossible or keeping options open?

I used to argue that "there are no absolutes" speaking as a human with limited senses. But for our everyday purposes it will suffice to say the opposite. Why? Because without absolutes we become shrouded with insecurity. Insecurity in our beliefs and ultimately our actions. A person can only live on and with things that are beholden to them, the path that is unknown cannot be traversed. So it suffices to state all that is known and ignore all that is unknown until the unknown becomes known.Man cannot help but live in a universe of absolutes even if – or because – there are none or they are inaccessible and/or ever-changing.

The problem occurs when these absolutes never alter through time.
Then the mind becomes inflexible and obtuse.

If we consider universal flux as the search for stability then our existence, our consciousness, becomes the facilitator of this search.
Which absolute will win out in the end – if any at all – will be determined by which human ideal will win out.

Samcdkey:

Yes, I would indeed advocate giving up when faced with a true impossibility, and by true impossibility, I mean that which can be demonstrated to be absurd, I.E. the creation of a circle which is a square at the same time and in the same manner.

In all other things, life and the universe can change. If it is possible and potential, and not necessary or impossible, it can change.

People tell this to me all the time, i dont hold any absolutes or beliefs and i seem to do alright though. It may be difficult but i think to say that man is simply not equipped to deal with a lack of beliefs is just not true.
Then again if you mean absolutes like fire=hot and will burn you, then no youre right we probably wouldnt be able to exist without those lol.

Only A Sith Deals In Absolutes, I Will Do What I Must

The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural.

i find your lack of faith disturbing

I know one absolute truth: "Too much is always too much."

Bah. Insecurity is only passing state. Don't take anything that ain't certain for certain. And since without certainity there can be no certainity, we can hardly know anything for certain. Having said that, it stands to reason we always have to take action we are not certain of. So get used to it.

And besides, how could you ignore what you don't know? If you CAN ignore it, you already know it. Besides, it's not a question of gaining more information, but rather shaping the info you already have into more accurate info. We already know everything, it's just put together in a wrong way.

I've changed my mind: Everything is an absolute truth.

C7ityi_:

"I've changed my mind: Everything is an absolute truth. "

I agree.

C7ityi_:

"I've changed my mind: Everything is an absolute truth. "

I agree.

error. 1+1=3 isn't an absolute truth!!!!!

and besides...!!! if everything is absolute an truth, nothing is!!!!!!!!!!!1

C7ityi:

Everything which is true is an absolute truth, I had thought you meant. If you had meant something else, I disagree.

doing something by mistake is the same thing as doing something on purpose.

C7ityi_:

Only in that it is an action.

why do people make mistakes?

they do it on purpose. they want to punish themselves. they do it subconsciously.

c7ityi_:

Or they simply misunderstand.

Never say never. Never say always.
Isn't that statement self contradictory? My high school biology teacher said, "Always, always, always. except...." and "Never say never, not even now. Usually don't say never."

Or they simply misunderstand.
lol, misunderstanding is a mistake""""""2

A mistake caused by improper thoughts, not a "will to harm oneself".

A mistake caused by improper thoughts, not a "will to harm oneself".

What causes improper thoughts then?

We know the truth. Deep down inside we know what the right thing is, still we do wrong things, and we know it... but we don't accept it. So we must punish ourself subconsciously. You can also say that God punishes us, it's the same thing, since God is our higher self.

C7ityi_:

"What causes improper thoughts then?"

A lack of control and jumping to conclusions. Aka: Thinking we apprehend truth.

"We know the truth. Deep down inside we know what the right thing is, still we do wrong things, and we know it... but we don't accept it. So we must punish ourself subconsciously. You can also say that God punishes us, it's the same thing, since God is our higher self. "

I would claim that ignorance is true. That is to say, that we do not know "deep down".

A lack of control and jumping to conclusions. Aka: Thinking we apprehend truth.

why do we think we apprehend the truth?

I would claim that ignorance is true. That is to say, that we do not know "deep down".

how much we know depends on how much courage we have [to accept]. if we don't know something, it's our fault. we choose to believe in our person (instead of being true to ourself), because we love our person, and don't want to lose it. we defend it by limiting ourself and our knowledge. when we have the courage to face ourselves we will know everything. what we don't know is what we don't accept in ourself.

courage leads to wisdom and wisdom leads power.

C7ityi_:

"why do we think we apprehend the truth?"

What we had thought the facts were seemed to have confirmed something true which was not. That is to say, it is a misinterpretation.

"how much we know depends on how much courage we have [to accept]. if we don't know something, it's our fault. we choose to believe in our person (instead of being true to ourself), because we love our person, and don't want to lose it. we defend it by limiting ourself and our knowledge. when we have the courage to face ourselves we will know everything. what we don't know is what we don't accept in ourself."

How will we "know everything"? Or do you mean "have the capacity to know everything by clinging to objective truth"?

"courage leads to wisdom and wisdom leads power."

This so much is true.

How will we "know everything"?
by knowing nothing like socrates =P

"courage leads to wisdom and wisdom leads power."

This so much is true.
lol, they should put that in a zelda game or something.

c7ityi_:

"by knowing nothing like socrates =P"

Such ignorance is a good starting point, yes.

"we choose to believe in our person (instead of being true to ourself), because we love our person, and don't want to lose it. we defend it by limiting ourself and our knowledge." -c7ityi_

Or rather people fear risking what little wisdom they have (since then they would truely lost), and since someone likes them anyway (people orient themselves by other people), they think that by being as good as they are is enough, and risking this is folly.

One of the reasons why I think people should be hated and corrected when necessary (or possible). And before they get too depressed, say something like "You're right, but not enough". The real skill is to slander, encourage and guide at the same time.

Absolutes are tantamount to a responsibility of knowing about and acknowledging them. We are averse to such obligation (Refer, there must be a way in or out of any condition, be it a state of mind or a social situation. Absolutes imply a capture from which there is an inference of no escape.)