Isn't it curious how curious we are about ourselves? You would think there could be nothing easier than knowing yourself. After all, you are you, and there is nothing and nobody that you have more direct and immediate access to than yourself. Yet, when someone remembers the old Greek aphorism "know thyself", instead of sighing … Continue reading On Knowing Yourself
Self-Knowledge Is Never Complete
"We always find ourselves within a situation, and throwing light on it is a task that is never entirely finished. This is also true of the hermeneutic situation—i.e., the situation in which we find ourselves with regard to the tradition that we are trying to understand. The illumination of this situation—reflection on effective history—can never … Continue reading Self-Knowledge Is Never Complete
Self-Knowledge Paradox
"It follows essentially... that the positing of the essence with the intuitive apprehension that immediately accompanies it does not imply any positing of individual existence whatsoever. Pure essential truths do not make the slightest assertion concerning facts. Hence, from them alone we are not able to infer even the pettiest truth concerning the fact world." … Continue reading Self-Knowledge Paradox
Maurice Merleau-Ponty on Perception
The 20th-century French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty studied human perception his entire career. He stressed the absolutely fundamental, primary nature of our perception - being there and situating us in the world before any analysis, judgment, explanation or observation. Here is what he says in the "Preface" of his highly influential work Phenomenology of Perception (originally published … Continue reading Maurice Merleau-Ponty on Perception
Frantz Fanon on Identity Drama
Our identities are shaped and exist in relation to others. The way others relate to me and the way I can relate to them is fundamental to my sense of self, of who I am. When relationships play such a crucial role, some amount of drama is inevitable. However, we can become the prisoners of … Continue reading Frantz Fanon on Identity Drama
Knowing Yourself As The Colonised
How does one become ‘the colonised’? Not in terms of a historical fact or political status, although they are certainly important elements, but in terms of an experience. If we think of being ‘the colonised’ as a way of experiencing one’s life, how does one become it? In his book, “Black Skin, White Masks”, Frantz Fanon explores … Continue reading Knowing Yourself As The Colonised
Philosophical Quote About Our Self-Understanding
"We always find ourselves within a situation, and throwing light on it is a task that is never entirely finished. This is also true of the hermeneutic situation—i.e., the situation in which we find ourselves with regard to the tradition that we are trying to understand. The illumination of this situation—reflection on effective history—can never … Continue reading Philosophical Quote About Our Self-Understanding
Spreading the Word: Inspirational Quotes
What did existentialist philosopher Kierkegaard think about discovering ourselves? Collection of inspiring quotes.
Who Am I? Poets Answer
Is there a question more perplexing than "who am I"? I am as close to myself as anyone could ever hope to get. The most intimate relationship, perfect unity and identity is "I". I am I. I = I. And yet, who is that "I" on either side of the equation? Who is behind the … Continue reading Who Am I? Poets Answer
Are Stand-Up Comedians Street Philosophers?
This question came up in one podcast where a couple of stand-up comedians join forces with a philosopher to discuss various topics. The idea was to determine whether a comic can be considered a philosopher who draws public attention to seemingly obvious everyday experiences (hence, the street epithet) and challenges our common assumptions in an easy-to-understand sort … Continue reading Are Stand-Up Comedians Street Philosophers?
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