If A'ing tough philosophy Q's feels like running into brick walls in a dark alley, why bother answering them?

Question

Please read "why bother answering them?" as = to "why *do you* bother trying to answer them?" Q-box limit was hit again.

normwiselwc you are reading the feeling of hopelessness into my Q, which if I felt that way I would have put it the way you think I did. Read my Q again: You are projecting. I did not, nor do I think I asked the Q: "If answering hard philosophy Q's feels hopeless, why *do you* bother trying to answer them?"

elvanwizard, a comment on the analogy is not an attempt to answer the Q. Also on my analogy there is something gained by knowing the dimensions of the alley by feel. Why not answer the Q rather than criticizing the Q which is consciously designed in part to attract attention within Q box constaints?
TWH 08142006

Dr. Leone, again you suggest I modify my analogy by developing the analogy further or that I answer your analogy. Why don't you pose your own Q the way you like'em.

And now back to my analogy.
I thought I elaborated my analogy a little bit. Didn't I do that when, following my own analogy, I added the point that by running into the walls of the dark alley, one would at a minimum develop an idea of the dimensions of the alley meaning that one would develop an understanding of the dimensions of the tough Q's? My Q appeals to a creative right-brain approach to philosophy which is dominated by plodding left-brainers who frequently don't or can't see the bigger picture.

Your first answer, before you edited it, portrays the person engaged in answering tough philosophy Q's as a masochist. That is an interesting potrait you paint of how you think philosopher-answerers feel.

TWH 08212006

Please note my analogical Q was limited by and fitted to the dimensions of the Q-box. It's not an easy task asking interesting substantive Q's when you have to keep the short to draw attention and hopefully a bevy of good answers. My Q was open-ended in many ways, to give maximum latitude to the answerers willing to go along with my analogy. Thanks all for the effort.

One last thing, I believe you did say it bettered you to do so, to answer tough Q's in philosophy, but you seem fuzzy on how it betters you.

To know why you bother answering the tough philosophy Q's, you have to ask the tough Q's yourself, evaluate fairly the A's you get, and then select the best answer for honors.TWH 08212006 11:24 PM CST

swfc718, it is never a defeat to learn about your limitations and to develop your mind's abilities by having the courage to enter and explore the dark alleys=the tough philosophy Q's. TWH 08212006

Answer 1

Shining a light in the dark.

Answer 2

Turning the table somewhat: I don't imagine anyone who ran into brick walls in a dark alley proposed to themselves "Man! that felt like I just answered a tough philosophical question". I don't know why I bother, I get hurt every time.

or

If you preposition is true, perhaps masochists enjoy answering such questions.

[edit]
It wasn't a criticism, the first answer was however somewhat lame..... read on:

There doesn't truly exist the literal possibility for feeling the dimension of the dark alley, since it's an distant theoretical analogy of a feeling.

To attempt to get closer to your request back through the scope of your analogy: Bouncing off walls, possibly rendering the result of painfully incorrect conclusions may eventually lead one closer to the truth.

Perhaps an answer lays in a more complete Analogy.

From the viewpoint of a scientist under pressure to develop a critically needed virus killing drug. If he repeatedly discovers his drug fails through performing embarrassing drug trials; he could be hurt, financially and/or to his credibility and possibly his career. The point may therefore lay in his high confidence that he can convey the distinct possibility of a positive outcome. In the presence of successively positive results it could be argued that there is a benefit, perhaps even to a few initial lost lives; if finally his effort, pain and hardship pay off ultimately through his drug saving many lives consistently.

Thus back to the alley, I agree: you would have to be reasonably confident there was some benefit (such as, but not limited to: finding an exit) to repeatedly running into brick walls.

Answer 3

The search for truth is difficult and painful. But not hopeless. Your question implies that it is hopeless. That is the conclusion of our post modern age. But that has not been the conclusion of all philosophers. A more optimistic outlook and the recognition that the great questions must be asked if we are to find the needed answers.

Answer 4

It brings about the pleasure that you were able to answer something deep in your own terms. The fulfillment it gives you is valuable for your self-esteem and hope that you will be able to answer the easier questions in life.

Answer 5

i answer because the question is there. why do people sometimes refuse to accept defeat? its all human nature...

Answer 6

change your major and don't bother answering them...makes things easier