Monday, May 7, 2007

PSEUDO-PHILOSOPHICAL SOUP

Welcome to The Bedouin Lounge

"The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it."

- Bertrand Russell

" What if nothing exists and we're all in somebody's dream? Or what's worse, what if only that fat guy in the third row exists?"
- Woody Allen

" I think, therefore Descartes exists."
- Saul Steinberg

I think you've already got a fair idea of what would be the general mood in this tent. If you haven't as yet, then you've perhaps been all too philosophical and my suggestion would be you stop being thus if you want to take part in this philosophical discussion. Now let me answer your queries -

What is this discussion all about?

Philosophy.

Who can take part?


All people who know little or nothing about philosophy.

How is that possible?


It's not.

Then, how do I take part?


Look, you've already started considering yourself as one of those "people who know little or nothing about philosophy". But you've still been a part of this discussion. Haven't you?


Discussing about philosophy can be fun when you assume that you know nothing about it - because it gives you infinite freedom on what to discuss and how. You don't need to remember all the "-isms" [such as rationalism, existentialism, post-structuralism, prism (oops, sorry not the last one)]. We'll create our own Pseudo-philosophical universe (yeah, whatever that word means!)

HOW TO PLAY

First of all, there would be a topic. Second of all, the entire discussion would be taking part in the comments section in form of dialogues (as in a drama). Third of all, each of you'd be playing a character - You may choose to play as yourself or any other character chosen by you (say, "The Senator" or "Spiderwoman"). In case you choose to play someone else, mention the character you're playing in your very first comment. Fourth of all, anyone can take part in this dialogue including NON-MEMBERS. Last of ... whatever's left, each discussion would run for exactly a month after which no more new comments would be allowed.

If you have any questions ask them here (as comments), otherwise move on to This Month's PSEUDO-PHILOSOPHICAL SOUP and take part. Make it funny and have fun!

"To all those who still wish to think about man, about his reign or his liberation …who still ask themselves questions about what is man in his essence…who wish to take him as their starting point in their attempts to reach the truth…to all these warped and twisted forms of reflection, we can only answer with a philosophical laugh -- which means to a certain extent, a silent one."
- Michael Foucault


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