A
male
age
18-21,
anonymous
writes:I am a hardcore philosophy geek. Some people have have sports, some people have music, I have philosophy.Whenever I try and get to know someone I lisen to them talk about their hobbies but when whenever I tell them I like philosophy they "Oh that's neat" and they never want to talk about it cause they don't understand it. I need to find a way to make the topic sound interesting so that we can make a connection. I need to be able to explain it in a way so that they'll really be interested cause it's a big part of me and besides it's good to have a passion. Reply to this Question |
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female
reader, Ask oldersister + ♥, writes (23 August 2008):
 I totally agree with Diovan and this is actually what my philosophy professor explained to us in college. Philosophy isn't about just the study of the ancient intellectuals, you actually just learn that stuff as the real backbone to have a way to intelligently approach real world moral dilemmas. That is why a lot of law schools are desperate for people with philosophy degrees and it's not because they can discuss Plato.
People aren't going to be interested in the historical part of it, that's like a surgeon discussing cell mutation at a cocktail party. People are going to get drawn in by that same surgeon talking about how she was able to save a life with new technology though.
Philosophy fine tunes your thinking skills and your command of it will be apparent by how you problem solve in current moral debates, not explaining how the sophists have an influence on the way you are discussing the issue at hand.
A
female
reader, DiovanLestat  + ♥, writes (23 August 2008):
 I too love Philosophy, so no your not alone. Have you tried read "Sophie's world" by Jostein Gaarder? It's a great read and it shows you how to make philosophy accessible to everyone.. I love to talk philosophy, but if you start mentioning, Plato, Descartes, and the Cosmology, then of course people will get frightened and bored. Not many people understand, as soon as you say philosophy, people get scared, they think that it's very hard intellectual stuff and it's not for them. Philosophy is basically the love of knowledge, and many people love knowledge and learning things, we use philosophy in every day life, it is very important in our current world.
Have you tried to engage people by doing some morality problems. I try to get people to play them all the time. How about asking about the "prisioner's dilemma", or "would you kill the one to save the many".or "the butterfly effect" .. Bring philosophy down to earth, throw out the long words and famous people and use it as game, and you will find that many people will enjoy talking about it with you. But you must realise, some people just don't understand. There are also many philosophy groups on the internet, and you will find like minded people there. Good luck, don't give up, but make it simple and make it fun. Don't give up, there are ton's of people like you out there... :D
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A
female
reader, marieclaire  +, writes (23 August 2008):
 there are people like you out there (like me!) but you'll really have to look hard to find them. unfortunately most people just aren't interested. keep trying though
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A
female
reader, LoveJoy + ♥, writes (23 August 2008):
 You can't really make people understand it you just have to give examples if they dont get it u know to move on :)
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A
female
reader, yemisdate +, writes (23 August 2008):
WOW! I'm sorry, but I think this is the best hobby to have :p Maybe you just need to change your friend circle because there are lots of people I know who really love arguing about philosophy and politics and religion. It's just a question of who you know because believe me, there are plenty of people who share that hobby.
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A
male
reader, pursuit of happiness +, writes (23 August 2008):
I don't think you can force people into these kinds of discussions, but if you find the right place or group of people these conversations happen all the time. See if you can get into a good university or go and work somewhere with lots of smart people. Avoid church groups or spectator sports groups where people are less likely to think for themselves.
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