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The Traveler
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 11
| Posted 7/22/2003 8:37 PM (GMT -6) |   | Dear Doc. Boyd,
I'm going to college this fall as a freshman and my major is going to by Philosophy. I'll be attending Auburn University. I'm wondering if you would have any advice for me in going into this feild of study. Anyhow, thanks for your time.
In Christ
Jacob
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GregBoyd
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 1818
| Posted 7/23/2003 2:48 AM (GMT -6) | | Traveler: I'm wondering if you would have any advice for me in going into this feild of study. Anyhow, thanks for your time.
Doc:1) Stay balanced. Philosophy totally blew up my one-year-old-feeling-based - anti-intellectual-God-said-it-I-believe-it-don't-confuse-me-with - the - facts faith as a freshmen at the University. When I finally put the pieces back together a year later, I found what really helped was to commit to reading one sound Christian book in philosophy or apologetics for every one non or anti-Christian book I read.
2) Stay in prayer nad in fellowship with a vibrant body of believers.
3) Do loving stuff. Don't wait till you graduate to LIVE the life of outrageous love we're called to live.
4) Work on your spelling. (like I should talk! but its Philosophy, not Pholosophy.)
Anyone else have advice for The Traveler.?
Doc
In Christ
Jacob
"The responsibility is with the chooser -- God is blameless." Plato, Republic, 10. | | Back to Top | | |
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Steven Morrow
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2002
Total Posts : 18
| Posted 7/23/2003 8:18 AM (GMT -6) | | Auburn huh?
Philosophy is a great area of study. I believe doc gave some good advice in staying grounded. Get an accountability partner to talk and pray with.
I attend U.A.B(university of Alabama at Birmingham) and also have a philosophy major. I am hoping this will help me with graduate work in theology.
If your going to the auburn I think your talking about then get in touch with me some time. When can both struggle through philospophy.
Steven Morrow | | Back to Top | | |
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Steven Morrow
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2002
Total Posts : 18
| Posted 7/23/2003 8:21 AM (GMT -6) | | I hate computers, Its WE not WHEN!
Steven Morrow | | Back to Top | | |
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DLW
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 2457
| Posted 7/23/2003 8:46 AM (GMT -6) | | Don't forget to take a course or two in Economics or Political Science.
Courses on the history of the disciplines are especially helpful to one studying philosophy.
dlw
I-uh-scream-uh,
You-uh-scream-uh,
We-all-uh-sceam-uh for
Ice-uh-cream-uh!!!
Roberto Bernigni in
Down by Law.
ahehmAmericanzituhsen! This,varrrrrybaadfuryur
Cuntry! Varrrrrrrybaadfuryur
Cuntry!
Roberto Benigni in
Johnny Stecchenino. | | Back to Top | | |
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Laplace
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 138
| Posted 7/24/2003 4:52 AM (GMT -6) | | Can't help but put in my 2 cents.
I agree that in studying philosophy to have a solid understanding of logic (which you'll probably take anyway). But at the same time, realize that logic/reason is NOT the end-all to truth (just look up Goethe's Incompleteness Theorem). Bertrand Russell was an outstanding logistician, but it did not lead him to the Truth.
My interest in philosophy branched from a study of mathematics (set theory, theorems, etc.). So as DLW stated, don't forget to take other subjects that interest you as well even if they are not required for the degree (economics, political science, math, physics, etc). You'd be surprised how much of what is accepted "true" by mainstream is debated by experts. Oh, and it's important for practical reasons as well. Look in the Classified sometime and see if you see any ads for a Philosopher.
Finally, realize that it's OK to disagree with others, and that just because someone has a PhD doesn't mean they are by default right. The trick is to understand WHY people believe what they do, then ask yourself the same thing.
"Balance in all things" - Dak'kon, Planescape Torment | | Back to Top | | |
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Bilbo
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 3
| Posted 7/24/2003 6:54 AM (GMT -6) | | ------------------------------------
I agree that in studying philosophy to have a solid understanding of logic (which you'll probably take anyway). But at the same time, realize that logic/reason is NOT the end-all to truth (just look up Goethe's Incompleteness Theorem).
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I think Goethe was too busy with Faust and other works to bother with recondite metatheorems pertaining to 20th century logicist systems of arithmetic.
That task was left to Goedel.
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Bertrand Russell was an outstanding logistician, but it did not lead him to the Truth.
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Russell was a logician and even a logicist, but never cut his teeth as a logistician, as far as I know ;) Interestingly, his logicism provided the springpad that launched Goedel into fame, via the theorem(s) mentioned above.
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Look in the Classified sometime and see if you see any ads for a Philosopher.
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You don't need a newspaper to find people looking to employ philosophers; the "Help Wanted" sign posted at your nearest McDonalds shows that the demand is out there ;P
I'm being facetious of course, but the hard truth of the matter is that philosophy is going to provide a joyful and fullfilling career for an alarmingly small number of graduates, hence, those who are determined yet realistic should perhaps pursue a double major.
Regards,
Bilbo.
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Laplace
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 138
| Posted 7/24/2003 10:26 AM (GMT -6) | | You are right Bilbo about Goedel. Thanks for the correction.
"Balance in all things" - Dak'kon, Planescape Torment | | Back to Top | | |
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The Traveler
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 11
| Posted 7/24/2003 11:46 AM (GMT -6) | | Doc. Boyd,
Thanks for your advice. Spelling... well all through highschool my teachers tryed everything to help me, but i just can't get it. Auburn has a great Christian body of believers, and i'm really looking foreard to palying in the worship bands up there. I'm also starting the Canadcy process in the Methodist Chruch towards becomeing a pastor, so i'll have a mentor to be there in fellowship during strugles. Thanks again.
In Christ
Jacob
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DLW
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 2457
| Posted 7/24/2003 11:48 AM (GMT -6) | | Trav,
are you really from the Ukraine?
dlw
I-uh-scream-uh,
You-uh-scream-uh,
We-all-uh-sceam-uh for
Ice-uh-cream-uh!!!
Roberto Bernigni in
Down by Law.
ahehmAmericanzituhsen! This,varrrrrybaadfuryur
Cuntry! Varrrrrrrybaadfuryur
Cuntry!
Roberto Benigni in
Johnny Stecchenino. | | Back to Top | | |
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Pragmatist
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 11
| Posted 7/24/2003 2:22 PM (GMT -6) | | I would just say enjoy it. Philosophy is a lot of fun as long as you don´t get mad at people for believing something different from what you are used to. I am a grad student in Philosophy at Oklahoma State University and I simply love philosophy. Also don´t go in thinking that you aren´t going to change your ideas about anything. Allow your studies to lead you in many different directions. I am not saying forsake your christian narrative, but allow your mind to be open. Have fun with it because it can be difficult at times, but stick with it, I am sure you will make it through if you truly love it.
Pragmatist
Pragmatist | | Back to Top | | |
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The Traveler
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 11
| Posted 7/24/2003 9:13 PM (GMT -6) | | what makes you think that i'm from Ukraine?
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Blood Washed Heretic
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2003
Total Posts : 167
| Posted 7/25/2003 5:02 AM (GMT -6) | | It says so under your name...
In essentials, unity; In matters of opinion, liberty; In all things, love. | | Back to Top | | |
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