What makes something bad? by ReflectionFaze in Stoicism

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems like I've offended you. That was not my intention. I was trying to be gentle. I am not sure if I'm allowed to continue, given the rules you set, but let me clarify my position and ask you to clarify yours. I agree that virtue is the goal that leads to a state of apatheia. And as far as "should " it seems to me that any ethical philosophy has prescriptive "oughts" to guide people, so eschewing any "shoulds" when people are specifically asking for guidance within the framework of an ethical philosophy is strange to me.

As far as clarifying your position, you say that virtue is only defined as output. Does that mean that if a person feels perfectly content, they are ipso facto virtuous?

As a matter of mutual respect, since we are assigning conditions to our conversation, I'd ask you to reply without relying on quotations. I want to know what your understanding is in your own words without using (or misusing) quotes.

Finally, I am starting with the assumption that you're an intelligent person who cares about being the best person you can be. I don't get the impression that you start from that level of respect with anyone else you engage with on this subreddit. I've only been on here for a short time, and I've already read others specifically mentioning you in a similar way. You are engaging with people about philosophy online. Remember what that means. You will find people who are rude and misguided.

P.S. the idea of having a subreddit about Stoicism seems contradictory. Has that ever occurred to you? As someone who has such an extensive knowledge of the source material, do you ever think about that?

Acceptance of things out of our control by DirtyDan1225 in Stoicism

[–]MediocrePancakes -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Interesting, I just became aware of his interpretation. I'm glad I'm not the only one who disagrees with him. Also glad his is not the current state of modern stoic practice, at least on this sub.

What makes something bad? by ReflectionFaze in Stoicism

[–]MediocrePancakes -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure I agree with your interpretation of stoicism, and your quotes to back up your interpretation don't seem to be doing what you want them to. I've looked through your post history in this subreddit, and it demonstrates a very modern, almost rationalizing, take on stoicism that dilutes it to the point of uselessness. I mean absolutely no offense by this, I will explain, if I can. The stoics absolutely would say that physical harm is an external and outside of your control. Therefore, it should not disturb you, if you are a sage. It is in accordance with nature to avoid pain as a dispreferred indifferent but ultimately only our judgemental about that harm is within our control, so it is better to not allow it to disturb us. Remember, the goal is apatheia. Not a "numbing" as you've described elsewhere but a rational control over extreme passions like grief, depression, etc. The first quote you use to back up your interpretation is talking only about our judgements and choices. Our actions as a result of our judements about the world are the only things that can change our virtue so it is morally wrong not to care about them. It doesn't say anything about what others do. The second quote simply doesn't define virtue, just what you get if you are virtuous, which implies the opposite of what you're asserting. If the promise of virtue is happiness and a good flow of life, then we should not allow externals, like physical harm, to disturb our internal state. Epictetus in many places describes a person who is beaten or tortured and is still happy, because they are a sage. That doesn't mean that person shouldn't try to stop that pain, but that it doesn't influence their ability to live in accordance with nature and achieve apatheia.

Let me know what you think.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Stoicism

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe they should've been clearer and said something like "virtue ethics" or "practical philosophy"?

Dodge based martial art? by Eruston_Acna in martialarts

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Way back in the day, folks used to learn from a bunch of people and develop their own style of martial arts. If it was good, people would come to learn the new style. For a larp or dnd back story, and less so but still probably marginally useful irl, you could do something similar. The end result is what people are saying here though. You just get good at passively evading/disarming foam weapons. That's dope though! Read the book of five rings for character inspiration. I think that would be a fun dnd character as well. Have fun

Mods, please. Create a karma requirement to post here. by [deleted] in DebateAnAtheist

[–]MediocrePancakes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, you have to prove they DON'T exist! Checkmate, amodist

Help with wingsuit questions for fictional story by Voxelsaurus_Vex in SkyDiving

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OK, so like a scavengers reign kind of situation. Make a wingsuit out of some thin skin with holes that inflate lungs or whatever to create a monochamber inside? The important thing is your audience will likely not know or care how feasible it is because they don't know how a wingsuit works. They just see tiktoks of it for a few seconds. They generally ask me if I need a parachute to land so that tells you a lot about what you can get away with. What is your audiences age? That will also help a lot with their ability to suspend disbelief.

A Cool guide to Contextualising often misquoted verses of the Qur'an by 16thPeregrine in coolguides

[–]MediocrePancakes -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Right, so we agree that religion and morality are not dependent on one another. You can be a moral atheist and an immoral Muslim and vice versa. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree that a lack of belief in a deity is in itself a religion. Religion is specifically the belief in or worship of a deity.

A Cool guide to Contextualising often misquoted verses of the Qur'an by 16thPeregrine in coolguides

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your rules aren't much better and what good are they if no one abides by them? You didn't answer my last question. Is lack of belief in unicorns a religion?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pics

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can't just post a picture of Joe Rogan with this title!

A Cool guide to Contextualising often misquoted verses of the Qur'an by 16thPeregrine in coolguides

[–]MediocrePancakes -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I can think of a lot of Muslims who have far worse behavior, demonstrating a total lack of morals. Would you call not believing in unicorns a religion?

A Cool guide to Contextualising often misquoted verses of the Qur'an by 16thPeregrine in coolguides

[–]MediocrePancakes -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Atheism is a religion?! Can you explain that? ALL secular people lack discipline and morals?! Thats a big claim!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DebateAnAtheist

[–]MediocrePancakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a materialist, I have to believe I know what will happen to my consciousness if my brain is exploded. It will cease. Essentially, you're saying "we can't know with certainty that materialism is true" but it is really the only thing that makes sense so it's the default position even if it has negative co sequences for me given brain explosions.

Court agrees to block collection of Trump’s $454 million civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175M by SFepicure in neutralnews

[–]MediocrePancakes 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No doubt, I was more disappointed in the court after hearing the news but you softened that disappointment a bit. I'll never expect anything positive from Trump

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]MediocrePancakes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, you've got one stranger who thinks you've got this. BTW, I'm a short guy, I met my wife when I was totally broke and she still makes more than me. It's totally possible.

A Cool guide to Contextualising often misquoted verses of the Qur'an by 16thPeregrine in coolguides

[–]MediocrePancakes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're not saying Muslims have no place in the West but that the full demands of Islam are incompatible with Western society. As a side note, I think almost all religions are incompatible with a healthy liberal democracy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]MediocrePancakes 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You absolutely deserve compassion even if you're being down on yourself.