Noodle Bakers (Part 1)

[Manic Velocity]

The Paradox of Existence

"Pegasus exists"

"Pegasus does not exist"

Though these two statements seem to contradict each other, they have at least one thing in common.  They are both paradoxes.  More specifically, they form what is called the "Paradox of Existence".

A paradox is a statement that initially seems either true or false, but upon closer inspection, reveals an infinite contradiction.  

To say that "Pegasus exists" is a contradiction of terms because Pegasus obviously does not exist.  One cannot accurately state that something exists when it clearly does not.  However, to say that "Pegasus does not exist" is also a contradiction of terms.  Stating the non-existence of Pegasus is incorrect, because the statement refers to Pegasus but discounts its existence at the same time.  How can one refer to something that does not exist?  Simply using the name "Pegasus" brings the image of Pegasus into existence, so to say that it does not exist is a contradiction.

Socrates believed that we do not learn anything new throughout our lives.  We are only reminded of things we have previously known and have since forgotten.  He believed that everything exists in a true "form" that we inherently recognize, as early as birth.  We can identify what a Pegasus is, despite never having actually seen one.  This is because we are recalling our inherent knowledge of the "form" of Pegasus, according to Socrates.

The crux of the issue is not determining which statement is right or wrong.  Both are true and false at the same time, hence their paradoxical status.  The key is to develop a statement that declares the non-existence of Pegasus, without refering to Pegasus directly.

"Everything is such that it is not a winged-horse"

This statement is by all accounts true.  If one were to inspect everything on the planet, one would not find a winged-horse.  Pegasus may exist in stories, or works of art.  But those are only "ideas" of Pegasus, or a recalling of the "form" of Pegasus; but not the Pegasus itself.

More to come!  Stay tuned!

[Tbone]

Philosophy is all BS. It's the art of confusing yourself into never getting anything accomplished.

[Anonymous]

I love philosophy, it's good to exercise the mind. And before you make some wise-crack about "Exercising to accomplish nothing yuckyuckyuck", realize that usually when you're exercising (ie. On an exercise bike, or treadmill), you're running, but not going anywhere, and therefore by your logic accomplishing nothing.

Back that ass up *flashes gang signs*

[Tbone]

You are training your mind to think in circles. Though I will agree it's good to think outside of the box and question things rather than to just assume things are how you've been taught they are. I just thought it was funny because everything I learned in Philosophy always boiled down to "Well, some demon or something could be playing a trick on your mind, so you can't know anything for sure except for that you exist." Basically, we could all be in the Matrix. Heh.

[Manic Velocity]

You are training your mind to think in circles. Though I will agree it's good to think outside of the box and question things rather than to just assume things are how you've been taught they are. I just thought it was funny because everything I learned in Philosophy always boiled down to "Well, some demon or something could be playing a trick on your mind, so you can't know anything for sure except for that you exist." Basically, we could all be in the Matrix. Heh.

I think things are funner when they make you go around in circles.  Like Ferris Wheels.  Yeah, I like Ferris Wheels.

Seriously though, philosophy is just the art of gutting thoughts and ideas like fish and breaking them down into their basic building blocks.  It's not just about questioning things, but also questioning your questioning.

Your comment actually reminded me of something one of Socrates' friends told him.  He said that you can't learn anything by asking questions, which is really all philosophy is.  If you know the correct answer to a question, then you learn nothing by asking.  If you don't know the correct answer, then you won't be able to recognize it when it's given to you.  That's the paradox of knowledge.  

But I get what you're saying, T.  There's rarely any conclusions or summations in philosophy, so nothing is ever really solved.  It can seem a bit pointless.

[Pirus]

Basically, we could all be in the Matrix. Heh.

Hmmm.... I guess I really do know kungfu! well I'm gonna head out and take a peaceful stroll through the clouds. hehe