Philosophy and Humanities?

Question

I have a great passion for philosophy, literature, and humanities. Is that a bad thing, or is it something that one should not get involved with? Am I too immature for it since I'm 16?

Answer 1

You are mature beyond your age, and your passion is never a bad thing. Focus on what you enjoy, and you'll only be better for it.

Answer 2

We're all learning 'til the day we die and as such, immaturity is a relative term. Most people don't get to philosophy until later in life. The fact that you have started early can only be good thing. A word of advice... stick with the classics. Works of literature that have stood the test of time and critique, and bear in mind the times in which they were written. You are lucky - for you philosophy can be a lifetime interest.

Answer 3

No one is too immature to philosophize about life. And the world around us. Many younger ones these days don't really have a passion for these types of things. It is unfortunate. I share your thirst for knowledge and encourage your interests.

There are MANY things you can learn when delving into art, science, philosophy, psychology and sociology, and anything relating to these. They each have their respective part that plays into the big picture. Even the Esoteric sciences can lead you into some hidden aspects of our nature and the world around us. Never stop your search for light, and don't ever let anyone tell you that you are too young to explore what you like. The fact that you are inquisitive enough to epxlore the answers in the first place is a good sign of a free-thinker and an open mind.

Answer 4

Thanks Warpdrive! I aim for stark raving brilliance on every answer, but I suspect I hit somewhat below the mark. I should package my absurdly long answers and sell them as sleeping-aids. Take this answer, for example. I really don’t have an answer to the question because, frankly, I spend sooooooo much time composing my own answers that I don’t really read a lot of other people’s stuff. Nevertheless, I have already stuck over 60 words into the unsuspecting neural circuitry of anyone reading this non-answer. By the time I reach 100 words, I bet half of my audience will have already discovered the joys of narcolepsy – many are probably nose-diving into their keyboards at this very moment. But I do have something of profound importance to say: The overwhelming lack of response to heeltap’s question leads me to suspect that most people are not overly impressed by anyone here in Yahoo Answers. Perhaps we need to recruit some genuinely brilliant minds, and then the YA team needs to add some features that make it easier to find the really good stuff here without having to wade through endless streams of nonsense. I think there should be a rating for user profiles that focuses on QUALITY of Qs&As, rather than just quantity. I’m sorry I couldn’t actually answer your question, heeltap, but I guess sometimes silence turns out to be the answer we seek. So, at long last, I will shut up now. Or not...I've just discovered that Mayah is a good question-asker. Her answers, however, seem mostly copy/pasted from the web...I suppose her questions might be too.

Answer 5

Not at all.
Many people will tell you that these things are useless, or impractical, because we do not live in a society that particularly encourages or fosters them. Bluntly, that means few people make money out of the humanities.
However, the humanities are all about putting your mind in contact with the greatest humanity had to offer through the centuries. The humanities will also teach you to think for yourself, instead of being a toy to the flavor of the month in propaganda. (And our mass media world produces MORE propaganda than it ever has). And learning to think for yourself is the greatest gift you can ever offer yourself; it is to reclaim one's humanity.
Finally, no, you are not too young to take interest in such things. If the appetite takes you, then it's time to eat. If you are curious, it means your soul is reaching for something. Besides, if you truly have the hunger for deep and meaningful thoughts, you will not be able to turn away from it. A penchant for learning is as ingrained as one's eye color.

Answer 6

i seriously doubt you are too immature for it. i think the biggest mistake you could make right now is accepting only one philosophy. schools of thought like objectivism (based very loosely on interpretations of ayn rand) tend to prey on precocious youth -- they will gladly declare your genius for you if you chose to follow them. keep your mind open and absorb all you can. thats why you have it. also realize you have a lifetime of learning ahead of you. the more you learn the more you realize how little you know.

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erick_Erickson

hope
will
purpose
competence
fidelity
love (in intimate relationships, work and family)
caring
wisdom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erick_Erickson

Stages of Cognitive Development. Piaget identified four stages in cognitive development:

Sensorimotor stage (Infancy). In this period (which has 6 stages), intelligence is demonstrated through motor activity without the use of symbols. Knowledge of the world is limited (but developing) because its based on physical interactions / experiences. Children acquire object permanence at about 7 months of age (memory). Physical development (mobility) allows the child to begin developing new intellectual abilities. Some symbollic (language) abilities are developed at the end of this stage.

Pre-operational stage (Toddler and Early Childhood). In this period (which has two substages), intelligence is demonstrated through the use of symbols, language use matures, and memory and imagination are developed, but thinking is done in a nonlogical, nonreversable manner. Egocentric thinking predominates

Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early adolescence). In this stage (characterized by 7 types of conservation: number, length, liquid, mass, weight, area, volume), intelligence is demonstrated through logical and systematic manipulation of symbols related to concrete objects. Operational thinking develops (mental actions that are reversible). Egocentric thought diminishes.

Formal operational stage (Adolescence and adulthood). In this stage, intelligence is demonstrated through the logical use of symbols related to abstract concepts. Early in the period there is a return to egocentric thought. Only 35% of high school graduates in industrialized countries obtain formal operations; many people do not think formally during adulthood.

http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/piaget.html

I think you are able to answer that question for your self now.

Answer 8

Those are very admiral interests as they will help to broaden your horizons and you will be able to discuss these subjects with very educated people. It also shows that you are very open minded and open to all kinds of knowledge.

Answer 9

No. We need humanist as much as we need the scientific disciplines. It keeps us all on even keel.

Answer 10

yOUR PARENTS WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU. PLEENTY OF TEENAGERS ARE NOT SMART ENOUGH TO GET INTO THINGS LIKE LITERATURE. yOU ARE NEVER TOO IMMATURE FOR ANY KIND OF KNOWLEDGE. dON;T WORRY WHAT OTHERS THINK. dO YOUR OWN THING.