I venture into the world of online blogging with some reluctance. With a flood of social networking sites up and running - namely, twitter, facebook, myspace, etc.- an obvious thought for me is who needs yet another blog. Is this the way to create communities, if only virtual communities? I write this in fact with full expectation that few will actually read this. If so inspired to comment will that create a community?
If I were a famous, well-known talking head and/or commentator - or simply a well known philosopher, then there may indeed be a few who might stumble upon this blog entry. But since I am none of the above I suspect my experimental foray into the world of blogging will end with a silent wimper.
I may be wrong.
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Hey Dr. Bell, it's George from Honr 314. I google searched your name to get a link from your website and stumbled upon your blogspot page. Actually, I have one of my own ( www.negapod.blogspot.com ).
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be checking this out as it moves along. I'm sure you have many great blogs ahead of you!
Take it easy,
G
Dear Prof. Bell:
ReplyDeleteI am writing to thank you for your book - "Philosophy at the Edge of Chaos". Among other things, I loved the way you negotiated with Spinoza, though I still have some issues with the reading that you engage in. I am also somewhat uncomfortable with the 'systemic' approach that you take, though I hasten to add that it is quite convincing. Perhaps at some point in time, when it is convenient to you, I could share my own take on Deleuze, which comes from a background that does not begin with Western Philosophical thought.
There is one other question that I am interested in and which I like to pose to all who 'philosophize' and it is as follows: Does the activity of 'doing' philosophy change or in any way affect 'how' the philosopher 'lives' his/ her life? I ask this because recently I have had the occasion to meet with so-called 'philosophers' and my interaction with them - some for an extended period of time, and other not so much - leads me to believe (by observation only) that there is a disjoint between what these folks 'do' and what they 'say/ write'. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this.
Thanks for your comments Manav. I'm glad you enjoyed the Spinoza section and would be curious to hear how your reading of Deleuze (and/or Spinoza) varies from mine. As to the second point about philosophers not doing what they write about or say - very true. I've met many who talk a good politics - the need for community, networking, involvement, etc. - but who in their personal lives are rude and anti-social. Farias wrote an entire book on Heidegger, the basic point being that Heidegger was a nasty fellow and hence one ought not to pay much attention to his philosophy. But this disjoint between doing and saying/writing goes well beyond philosophers - it seems to me an issue most everyone deals with to some extent. To what extent do we really live in accordance with our values? Are we even sure what our values are when acting? Etc. It's at this point where philosophical practice and work converges, for me at least, with spiritual practice; and it is here as well where I would draw from non-western sources (much as you do).
ReplyDeleteDear Prof. Bell:
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding to my post/ questions. I am in the process of writing out some of areas where I am at a variance with your reading of Spinoza and Deleuze. The reason that this is taking some time is because, in the first instance, my field of research is tangentially related to philosophy - it is more in the area of war studies and military theory that I am operating in. That being said, however, the reason for my interest in philosophy is because my reading of the history of military thought shows me that military theory presumes a 'concept' of war, which is a philosophical question. What I find mystifying is that modern (and post-modern) theorists of war and military theory (as far as I know) completely ignore this fundamental point! Thus, not being as well schooled in philosophy, I am taking some care in formulating my thoughts such that they don't appear incoherent! I am sure you will empathize. When I am done - perhaps in a week or so - I can either post it up here or can email you directly. Please do let me know.
On the question of 'doing' philosophy, I am in agreement with you. I do find, however, that the non-western sources (insofar as I have been exposed to them) have a strange 'ethic' that combines the act of philosophizing and the living of the philosophy. I should also mention that I find that the pre-Socratics - particularly, Heraclitus - suggest or insinuate a similar stance. As far as possible I try to avoid the word 'spiritual' because it carries with it some unwholesome connotations, which are ultimately counter-productive. Similarly, I am wary of the word 'values' for, as you put it, "are we even sure what our values are when acting"?
Thanks and regards,
Manav
I have a putative philosophrix looking at this, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteAdding to your hits,
Sergio Mandiola