Comments on: A commonly misunderstood aspect of my philosophy http://blog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html The unexamined life is not worth living ~ Socrates Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:01:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jack Scott http://blog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html/comment-page-1#comment-513 Jack Scott Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:40:00 +0000 http://newblog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html#comment-513 To me, this sounds a lot like Plato in The Republic... on a 'quest' to make everybody happy. It can be debated forever whether Plato's idea would have worked... and the same can be said of your hope. In my eyes, we are ruled by emotions. They cannot be escaped, no matter how much you try. To me, this sounds a lot like Plato in The Republic… on a ‘quest’ to make everybody happy. It can be debated forever whether Plato’s idea would have worked… and the same can be said of your hope. In my eyes, we are ruled by emotions. They cannot be escaped, no matter how much you try.

]]> By: sineWAVE http://blog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html/comment-page-1#comment-512 sineWAVE Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:19:00 +0000 http://newblog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html#comment-512 James is right Sean, you're deluding yourself if you think you can avoid depression, sadness etc. You're a teenager, for crying out loud!<br/><br/>Also - comment dates are displaying american-style (m/dd/yyyy) James is right Sean, you’re deluding yourself if you think you can avoid depression, sadness etc. You’re a teenager, for crying out loud!

Also – comment dates are displaying american-style (m/dd/yyyy)

]]> By: James Robson http://blog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html/comment-page-1#comment-511 James Robson Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:03:00 +0000 http://newblog.seanwhitton.com/2008/08/a-commonly-misunderstood-aspect-of-my-philosophy.html#comment-511 The trouble is, Sean, that that's an overgrand way of saying "I shall not be sad". Which is fine, that's what most people do- however, emotions are not particularly something you can control- trust me. Depression is not something you can stop if and when it comes, however illogical it is. By creating this requirement within yourself of avoiding negative emotions, you might feel liek yo8u have failed when you actually do. By all means aim to be happy- but by the gods, don't think of emotions as an easily avoided self-indulgence, like smoking, gambling, or hookers. One of these things is not like the other things, Sean. :P In all seriousness, I believe that's why your parents are worried- not that you are trying to avoid negative emotions but that you believe that they can be avoided. The trouble is, Sean, that that’s an overgrand way of saying “I shall not be sad”. Which is fine, that’s what most people do- however, emotions are not particularly something you can control- trust me. Depression is not something you can stop if and when it comes, however illogical it is. By creating this requirement within yourself of avoiding negative emotions, you might feel liek yo8u have failed when you actually do. By all means aim to be happy- but by the gods, don’t think of emotions as an easily avoided self-indulgence, like smoking, gambling, or hookers. One of these things is not like the other things, Sean. :P In all seriousness, I believe that’s why your parents are worried- not that you are trying to avoid negative emotions but that you believe that they can be avoided.

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