i dont think philosophy is for me..... its way to distressing....?

Question

i fisrt got into philosophy thinking it will help with how i think about things. and it realy did. however it also gave me a whole new set of problems.

i came across solipsims and cartesian scepticism. now i dont know what to beleive. i have no idea if maybe im either going insane or if i should beleive in other people and an external reality or if maybe the whole world doesnt exists and i am living a horribly lonely existsence.

i am not sure if maybe i am taking things to seriousely with the solipsism or if it is actualy just a point to argue something or if solipsism is something to seriousely be considered. same with cartesian skepticism. its all very stressful and maakes me anxious to think that everythin i have evern known and loved may not be real. if they are not then there is no point in living life. its just living a desolate and ulimately meaningless and the most lonely existsnece you could imagine

Answer 1

It all depends on how you define "I".

If you think of your self as a little lonely person dreaming up an imaginary world then it sucks big time.

If you look a little further and recognize that even the idea of the self is a part of the illusion then you realize that you still exist even without the idea of the individual self.

This realization tells you that you are apparently far more than the individual self that you thought yourself to be. Suddenly reality takes on a whole new dimension.

Don't worry so much about it. It changes nothing about reality. It only changes your mind. Knowing the truth does not change the illusion in any way.

love and blessings Don

Answer 2

First, remove the suicidal thoughts. That is no solution. We are not sure if the universe is null. Ok say all around you is null, still don't you think there is something, that may be different from what you previously assumed there exist. but still can you deny at least you exist and that has some meaning?

Second thing, it may be that we need to create meaning in our life, though the life itself may be null.

Or maybe just believe (blindly?) in the goodness of being, existence, that how can anything can be negative? If something (theory) feels negative, how it can be true?

Next people like Nietzche are not going to solve these problem. I am sure they are going to increase your anxiety even more. Nietzche was insane, he himself had mental breakdown. Ayn Rand is half truth.

Kant's line seems a good solution.
If nothing works, just believe in the positiveness of the universe maybe FOR NO REASON.

And if you think that all is illusion and we cannot know the truth: then ask so what? This illusion is the truth for us and we can live in this truth. What is to worry about the truth which can never have any relation with us?

Answer 3

Well, welcome to the club. Spending a summer in fairly isolated mountains did that for me. I just sat and thought, until I discovered many things myself, and I became interested in philosophy.

I really don't believe in science nor religion, but I do know that if I look into a friend's eyes, I feel something inside of me, and I know that whether or not we truly exists really doesn't matter (even though I'm a little low on friends at the moment). Either way, we feel pain, we go through tough times, and we feel love -- that was enough for me.

Solipsims and Cartesian skepticism are only the names given to an idea. Philosophy is about finding your own beliefs and ideas. What other people say is only their ideas and beliefs, not yours, so go and find your own.

Fictional books are just made up stories -- they aren't real -- yet they still have the power to sway our emotions and probe our minds, and that is all that really matters. So just chill, read a nice book, and take in the sunshine (or rain; either way, it's still pretty).

Answer 4

Skepticism does no longer deny actuality. A skeptical project demonstrates that we do no longer have information. If the skeptic does no longer assume some products as genuine, the argument can not artwork. Theories are falsified in philosophy each and every of the time. both because a million) of an said actuality 2) on the logical advantages of the translation. critiques are not tolerated in philosophy. There are continually causes to believe premises. no individual is worried with the actuality of actuality. this is basically given. If actuality isn't genuine, then although you're investigating is incomprehensible. What actuality is is a diverse tale, yet you may not locate out with out taking an element of it with out any interest. If a view is tricky you inspect the position it is going incorrect. And adjust it or take in yet another one that can triumph over the priority. Dualism nevertheless exists because monism would not make sense, there hasn't been any effectual savings from concepts to remember or vice versa-- few announce themselves as dualists in the present day, although this is not any longer because dualism has been disproven, that's, in reality, tricky, that's diverse. Empiricism has been changed repeatedly, and could stay, because technology IS empirical. no individual is a nihilist or solipsit. those are indefensible positions. in case you favor an answer to the "ideal" philosophy to "undertake", you ought to study more beneficial ideal surveys than those given on wikipedia. or maybe then, it truly is not any longer what philosophy is there for. purchase a heritage of philosophy e book. study the entire difficulty. you're not to any extent further going to come across a answer to the concepts-body project by utilising posting a question the following. although if I were to provide an fairly tentative form of answer, you does no longer are conscious of it with out a adequate heritage.

Answer 5

I love philosophy. Like you, I came looking for answers, and found them. Like you, such learning generated other questions. In a way, I am unhappy, but at least I have now my eyes open, and can articulate the problems, find solutions, and maybe find true happiness. I know this door is more open to me than to the person I was before studying.

The second issue you present is epistemological. Ayn Rand used to say that there are three axioms, statements of truth that cannot be denied even in the attempt to deny them. The first axiom is that the Universe exist. The second axiom is that consciousness is conscious. You cannot deny those statements, as in the very fact of denying them you are assuming them. To deny is an act of consciousness, something a rock cannot do. The third one is the law of identity. I wish I could explain more, but I have limited space and some questions myself.

Finally, I should say knowledge is important, but not the most important thing. Do not forget to live, to love. Knowledge is interesting, but it is only a tool to improve your life. Do not forget to live.

Answer 6

Read Wittgenstein on the issue of solipsism and Newman's illative sense in regards to Cartesian scepticism. Further, the greatest argument against the veracity of the claims of solipsism that most of its proponents did not live in such a way that indicated that they really believed it was true. Finally, the philsophers of modernity place a great deal of stress on rationalism and certitude. In this regard, the finite, human mind is conceived of in such a way that it can, through its own powers, answer every question, and if we can't answer something with absolute and utter certitude, then there is no truth to it. This emphasis in immoderate and reductionistic-- it is also not born of necessity, but ideology. Philosophy does not have to be so narrow and constrained-- and neither do you!

Answer 7

If you have only gotten so far in philosophy as Descartes, you still have a long way to go.

If you find yourself gravitating towards existentialism, you should strongly consider reading Freidrich Nietzsche. Like you, he was continually aware of the overarching spectre of nihilism, both in the philosophies of Neo-platonists and the teachings of Jesus.

Nietzsche's specific addressing of your problem is highlighted in his famous monogram "The Madman" which is famous for the proclaimation that "God is dead". The reason it is famous is because Nietzsche says that Christian philosophy is predicated on the belief that the good comes from God, and that without God there is no good, and if you take God out of the picture, Christian ethics crumbles. He felt this would become a serious problem as an increasingly secular western culture still clung tenaciously to Christian ethics.

From here, you can go one of two ways:

Adopt Nietzschean ethics. Nietzsche was an individualist, who had much admiration for the philosophy of the Romans, who were able to maintain a virtuous society without belief in a Christian God. Some people have mentioned Buddhism, and it should be noted that Buddhism and Stoicism are remarkably similar philosophies, and millions of people have lived successfully as Buddhists or Stoics (In fact, there has never been a war waged in Buddha's name in history. Buddhism teaches one tranquility)

If you find that you can not let go of the Christian ethic, your next stop would be Soren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is considered by many the first Christian to address the problems put forth by Nietzsche, and is the latest in a line of philosophers that start with Immanual Kant, go through Hegel, Nietzsche, and end with Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard successfully combined Christian Ethics with Existentialist philosophy, and is the forefather to modern respected theology.

Answer 8

Just because you are being taught differing philosophies does not mean you have to agree with them. Do you honestly believe you cannot trust your senses and that the world around you is not real? That the people you communicate with are figments of your imagination? Did watching The Matrix disturb you?

If you are seriously troubled by such thoughts, you should consider seeing a therapist. It seems that you are, since your speech is indicative of depression and possibly suicidal tendencies. I suggest you see a professional and soon.

Answer 9

Philosophy by definition is not distressing or depressing.

Philosophy literally means 'love of wisdom'.

You are talking about misosophy, or a person who prefers "ignorance to bliss".

Solipsism is just as dogmatic and unfounded as that which it rejects and questions.

Answer 10

Well one thing philosophy does is bring up the idea of a Paradox. Basically it's ok if it doesn't make sense. As long as you understand that it doesn't. A lot of the times there is no right or wrong answer.