The Great Philosophers

Parmenides (450BC) believed that all that actually exists is the immediate present. Talk about the past and future is just talk - not existence. This is "pre-Socratic", because of it's focus on the physical world. Why was he so dismissive of the mind? If you're reading something that's been written in the past, about something even further in the past, the story is unfolding in the present. Doesn't it therefore become part of existence, affecting you and having form? Anyway, talking is existence and very enjoyable too.

I believe my mind exists outside this physical world as well as dwelling in my head. That's why I've got a lot of sympathy for Plato and his belief in reincarnation. After all, what if dreaming is the mind travelling somewhere else to gain knowledge? Why can't this be a part of philosophical thinking? I've had so many conversations while sleeping, and been surprised by the actions of others while dreaming. Who's to say that dreaming isn't another existence and opportunity to learn?

I've been thinking a lot about language and the idea that language reveals unconscious desires. Ok, there's some validity in that but I also know that I delight in writing something, then searching through the thesaurus for a nicer word than "thing" or "stuff". That's part of the fun, seeing what rich, quirky word can be used to raise a laugh or add a good beat. So conscious reworking of language, what does that reveal?

I turn to exercises like these when I'm downhearted and find it quite a balm to the spirit!

Socrates (400 BC) taught his students to question everything and changed the course of philosophical thinking by placing the emphasis on human morality and politics.

Every single one of the great philosophers raised interesting questions, but no one has solved the questions that keep me up at night. Why does evil exist? Why doesn't wrong doing on the part of evil men inspire one hundred percent of the population to rise up and root it out?

Everything I've ever learned about philosophy has started and ended with the "Western" world. Where are the great Arab thinkers? Must google this and see what happens.

I had a few rip roaring chats yesterday about the meaning and messages sent via clothing. Clothing is part of language and has an intended communication as well as an underlying message. So the nuns in Sound of Music had startling black garments with intricate head coverings, rather similar to burkas, except for the really strange hankerchief over the nose, which looks even worse with wire rimmed glasses. That's a look you don't forget in an instant, I'm just saying.

I dressed up as a nun for the medieval pageant I attended in May in LA. It's a fun outfit to wear as people treat you differently, rather respectfully, while cracking jokes about their behaviour; "I'd better do what you say because you're a nun". I quickly got frustrated with the headgear and wimple yet the day wasn't hot, 24/80. Off it came anyway.

Once, I tried on my mom's wedding dress. There were masses of tiny satin buttons, from wrist to elbow and waist to shoulderblade. It was an amazing creation, an ankle length tulle skirt and breath reducing bodice and I lasted in it for half an hour tops. I was also laced into a corset at Angels before trying on the American Civil war costumes. All I remember is laughing a lot. Ok, some swearing went on. What a way to dress, incomprehensible to me.

So how can girls in London bear wearing burkas? What do they think they're communicating? I've heard a vast array of negatives, and see no positives. If the guys wore them too, well, that would be different. But they don't. They just walk ahead and let these gals shuffle along behind. Why is it ok to do that to women?

It's a puzzle.

Giles: "It's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true. The bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hat and we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies and everyone lives happily ever after."

Buffy: Liar!