Search found 46 matches

by Einherjar
Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:47 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Global Concerns and Joseph Campbell's sense of a new myth
Replies: 236
Views: 37081

I understand materialism as the philosophical stance that all that exists is material. Can-you please tell me more about how you relate it to powerty? May-I assume that you think that the materialist approach of some rich people can make some others homeless? Can't we also say [from a distance] tha...
by Einherjar
Mon Feb 04, 2013 5:58 pm
Forum: Mythology and Religion
Topic: Monomyth
Replies: 34
Views: 13089

For me it puts the individual in a comparatively miniscule status. The evolution of the social animal we know as humans, and how human biology reflects this evolution, should not come as surprising. Our understanding of the individual as detached from the collective is a modern myth created by the ...
by Einherjar
Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:21 pm
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Colorado Tragedy
Replies: 504
Views: 70385

From Lincoln's first inaugural address: "...no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." The pacification process Pinker argues in his book, the better a...
by Einherjar
Sun Nov 18, 2012 4:42 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Economics
Replies: 243
Views: 38728

Even if we instituted wage and price controls, there is no way to roll back the national debt. The best that should be hoped is to maintain the current size (ie a true balanced budget in the annual sense) There is no putting the toothpaste back in the tube.... The world should just declare bankrupt...
by Einherjar
Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:17 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: What do you understand by "Transcendence"?
Replies: 252
Views: 69590

You have told me this before, Cindy. But what I understand by transcendence, as described by Joseph Campbell , is very akin to the Nirvana of Buddhism or enlightenment of Hinduism. It is different from death, because one is extinguishment and the other is going beyond. It is much more than cheery: ...
by Einherjar
Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:47 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: What do you understand by "Transcendence"?
Replies: 252
Views: 69590

Words are abstractions we use to describe/communicate experienced reality. Words are merely symbols or sounds that are limited to reference the only known reality/existence there is. Granted our vocabulary has expanded to realms well beyond reality, but there seems to be little sense in primary lang...
by Einherjar
Fri Sep 21, 2012 3:30 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Economics
Replies: 243
Views: 38728

Re: Economics

Since this issue came up in Humanism thread, and I feel it needs to be discussed, I am posing this question here; so as not to derail the other thread. Question one: Do you consider economics to be evil? Question two: If so, why? If not, why not? Question three: Can economics (the science, not mone...
by Einherjar
Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:06 pm
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Colorado Tragedy
Replies: 504
Views: 70385

Usually science relates to a phenomena of mechanical causality of the observable reality. A stone is thrown up in the air to end up falling down to the ground. The observation is described by method of abstract system of correlating information, most common being that which we call mathematics. When...
by Einherjar
Sat Jul 21, 2012 10:17 pm
Forum: Exploring Your Personal Mythology
Topic: Love Ruins Everything
Replies: 51
Views: 12473

Love is the clearest state one can be in. Every action, thought and intent are motivated by the intentions we construct visions of utopian ideals. The idea of love as destructive or negative force, could be the result of confusing what love is with that which claimed or believed to be love. Experien...
by Einherjar
Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:21 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Speculations
Replies: 42
Views: 9690

I would guess when he says he does not listen to music, he is addressing music as the "western" commercial recorded music. Music can perhaps be divided between something you either experience as participant or spectator. At a concert nonetheless, you become a participant in something that can be exp...
by Einherjar
Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:55 pm
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Atheists are a myth.
Replies: 347
Views: 45464

Is math a belief system? A myth? This is a serious question. I don't quite understand how you can 'lose touch' with something, once you define it as not real. Are we just debating if the egg is a chicken or if the chicken is an egg? As math is a language created by humans, with the function of bein...
by Einherjar
Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:35 pm
Forum: Samtal På Svenska
Topic: Vilka är vi?
Replies: 11
Views: 27690

Det virker å være liten aktivitet på denne svenske delen av forumet. Selv er jeg Norsk, men det føltes så godt å se noen skrive på et språk som mer eller mindre er det samme som mitt. Er usikker på om mange mennesker er aktive på forumet over tid. Mennesker som er i en fase av livet hvor en søker sv...
by Einherjar
Sun May 27, 2012 1:00 am
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Neo-Platonism: The beginning of Comparative Religion?
Replies: 448
Views: 84978

Could it be that we do the things we do because we are merely only what we are, and that thoughts and ideas about how we could or perhaps more correct should do, are created by rejection of the truth revealed by behavior? Except that it appears that we humans don’t know how to behave like humans. Th...
by Einherjar
Thu May 24, 2012 4:44 pm
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Consciousness
Replies: 664
Views: 115714

I must agree with you that the ability to manipulate one’s environment does not necessarily happen by conscious effort, but when one deliberately effects the environment we can begin pondering if the entity is conscious or not. Right? :? Hmmm.... Lol. You are very correct indeed. I was so focused o...
by Einherjar
Sun May 20, 2012 12:45 pm
Forum: The Conversation with a Thousand Faces
Topic: Consciousness
Replies: 664
Views: 115714

If we program a computer to give periodic updates on its systems it will do it, but this is far less of an intellectual achievement than what newborn babies can do when their nappy is wet or their tummy is empty. Though babies cry first on reflex – which is not a conscious response – but we can all...