Is it wrong for us to criticize?

Question

people who have not taken the time to learn what philosophy is, when they ask questions they THINK are philosophical?
I try to educate them--sometimes. I tell them to read the Syntopicon. The history of philosphic thought cannot be more concise or shorter than the Syntopicon.
Most of the time I ignore such questions. Sometimes I get irate. I prefer to educate than ignore or get mad, but there is so much ignorance on the subject of philosophy that often we are asked to do the homework for the questioner.
It fills me with fear, sometimes, to see such ignorance on the one topic that everyone should have a working knowledge of.

Answer 1

I hear your concern. I also feel frustrated when I see people struggling with pseudo problems.
I think it would benefit everyone if Yahoo Answers had two philosophy sections. One section dedicated to academic philosophy and another one named something similar to "daily philosophy" or "common philosophy" where people can discuss questions like "What's one thing you're most grateful for?" or "Do you believe in destiny?".

Answer 2

This is not a university with strict entrance requirements or reading lists. This is a public forum where anyone can share their opinions.

You are not the first person to lament the fact that there are a lot of 'pop philosophy' practicioners on here and while it is a bit annoying at times, what else can one expect?

Being critical has value as long as the motivation is right. If you're just doing it to prove your superiority or their ignorance then its not fair to be critical, but if you're doing it with compassion and an honest effort to help others 'see the light' then criticize away.

(just don't forget the compassionate part - its hard, I know, because I do sometimes too)

Answer 3

When I saw the man marching toward the cliff, the first thing I did was to run up and explain the predicament he was in. I pointed out the precipice up ahead. I mentioned the bones of the others I had seen at its bottom.

When he was unswayed by my arguments, I couldn't help but feel a little upset. I chided him for his foolishness. I mocked his limited capability for reason. I cursed his ignorance like a slap on his face, hoping it would wake him to reality.

When he kept marching on, I pointed out how much he had to live for. Friends he must be leaving behind, and family. I painted for him with words the many beauties that the future might hold for him: new lands to discover, the greatest of symphonies, love to stir the most pallid heart.

And when he fell to his death I cried because I knew his loss even if he did not. I spied another marching man, but it turned out the same. And another. And another.

I don't go to the cliff much any more. My hope has been eroded almost entirely away and my heart cannot bear the suffering of the unfeeling. Even though I cannot see them, they haunt me still... I know they're still there... I know they keep marching.

Answer 4

You're up against the "self-expression and self-esteem" thinking of modern education: "Don't correct people because you'll hurt their feelings. Don't give grades because that creates Winners and Losers. Everyone must be praised, even if they're wrong, etc."

But I say do it anyway," because how else are they going to learn anything? They're certainly not going to learn in in their schools where they're explicitly taught that everything is relative and arbitrary, and there's no such thing as Truth.

Answer 5

quite to the contrary philosophy is a broad subject where many subjects and questions can be fitted, besides of which without general terms to use for broad subjects and even specific concepts society would have to constantly have a dictionary on hand in order to illustrate any matter, specific's or detail oriented grammer isn't as important as the point the individual is trying to make its easy to criticize although its difficult to create...try centering on what people are trying to say rather on what grammer, subject classification, phrasing, generalizing they care to do on their subject

Answer 6

Is your criticism truly constructive? Or destructive? Does anyone learn anything when they are insulted for not already knowing it? Think of yourself as a teacher with a continual stream of new students everyday. If they had taken the time to learn philosophy, would they even be here?

Answer 7

I agree. I used to report questions that obviously didn't belong in this section, but I gave up on that. I now try to find the questions that approach a serious philosophical topic. It is strange to have all this technology working for us and the best we can do is have thousands of "what is the meaning of life" questions. I guess it is too much to ask real philosophers take the time to up the content. Sad, but Internet content is mediocre at best.

Answer 8

Criticism is my Nyarlathotep-given right.
As long as there are things and other things.... I will always be able to compare one to the other openly and point out the failings of each.

And the funny thing is that you can't really object to my doing so without becoming an instant hypocrite.

Answer 9

A person can ask any question but if possble answer if not leave it.Do no think that it is PHYLOSIPHICAL, DO NOT NOT WORRY ,IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO TRAIN OR TEACH ABOUT PHYLOSOPHY. WHY SHOULD YOU FEEL..Such a question, YOU ignore and be calm,.WHO WILL HAVE PATIENCE TO LEARN FROM U.I have LOT OF PATIENCE,
Do not even say any thing and be quiet,

Answer 10

yes it is VERY wrong

as an educated person it is wrong to make people feel that it is wrong to ask

or make them feel stupid

seems to me you spend to much time philosophizing

what do you do when you need to learn something ??

the easiest way is to ask , and how would you feel if people looked at you and criticized you for say , not knowing how lay tiles or something else


" it fills me with fear to see such arrogance in one person "


curiosity is philosophy

all the Best
Ian :)