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Originally Posted by Michael Chui  Well, didn't the fact that I continued to ask suggest that? Either I didn't understand (which I assumed), or I didn't agree.
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You could have asked me to do it. Or asked why I was asking. |
In a face-to-face discussion, I suppose that implying or suggesting something through actions
might be acceptable in debate, but on an Internet forum, I hold that it is not. We do not have the benefit of physical cues to help things along here. I believe we need to use the language of words whenever possible to further our point. To attempt to "suggest" ideas or objections using a medium that is limited to the written word is unreasonable. It's simply too easy to miss (or misinterpret!) non-"verbal" suggestions using this medium of communication.
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Originally Posted by Michael Chui I can't say I agree that these are mere indulgences. 
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But that's the point. Part of what it means to come up with your own definition is that it's yours. You feel an attachment to it, because you've invested time and effort into creating it, and thus it actually means something to you.
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I'm having a problem with your trivialization of philosophy.
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It's not a mere indulgence. It's an acknowledgement and exercise of one's free will fully expressed, expanding one's choices beyond the mere influence of the culture and society in which they were raised. It's what personal development is. |
Michael, I genuinely apologize if anything I said suggested a trivialization of philosophy, debate, or its discussion. I do feel it's important. And fascinating. And worthy of my time.
It might be useful for you to understand that, when I first came to post to these forums several weeks back, I was recovering from surgery and had (much) more-than-usual "butt time". Now that I am nearly fully recovered, my life is getting back to its original busy-ness.
I have many passions that take precedence (for me) over my interest in philosophy and debate. I am (NNiTO) a homeschooling parent, a spouse, a writer, an artist, an aspiring healer, a student of Joy, a photographer, and a web designer. Lately, I've had an average of about an hour a day to actually read and write within the discussions on these lovely boards. With that kind of limitation, choosing to respond to one of your massive (and quite brilliant) arguments, is often a choice to
only participate in
that particular discussion for that day. That's a difficult choice when there are other threads around that interest me as well.
Regardless of my own interests and priorities, I do respect your passion for argument, and again, if I said anything that you took as belittlement, please forgive.
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Originally Posted by Michael Chui How is it that the question "What is free will?" have words that are definable with a look-up. That was the title of the thread. |
Whoops. You've got me there. I concede on that point.
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Originally Posted by Michael Chui So, it's not just that you have to establish what something is in reference to all the other things it could be; you have to establish what something is, period. |
I don't think we disagree on this. However, I would request, in the interest of time, that we agree to be more direct in what it is we are after in a discussion. Let's agree to keep suggestive implications down to a low roar. (If we must use them at all.) I understand your desire to learn what another person thinks of a thing, and I think you can still attain that, but if I offer you a definition you disagree with, just tell me so and offer up yours. I'll do the same. Okay?