A philosphical point for you consideration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a hypothetical scenario involving a song about being "cool" and the implications of clapping hands in response. Participants explore philosophical questions related to self-perception, social behavior, and the nature of coolness, with a focus on the interplay between actions and identity.

Discussion Character

  • Philosophical exploration
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that clapping hands might be unnecessary if one is truly "cool," as indicated by a humorous reference to Socrates.
  • Others express uncertainty about their own coolness, leading to a dilemma about whether to clap or not, highlighting social perceptions.
  • A participant humorously critiques the scenario by questioning the feasibility of hearing another person sing while singing themselves.
  • There is a playful exploration of the concept of being a "dork," with one participant asserting that if someone is a dork, they cannot know it, presenting a logical contradiction.
  • Another participant mentions a local individual who claps while walking, suggesting a disconnect between actions and the song's lyrics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the implications of the song's message, with no consensus reached on whether one should clap if they are cool or the definitions of coolness and dorkiness. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on personal interpretations and humorous takes on the song's premise, leading to varied conclusions about social behavior and identity without definitive resolutions.

Office_Shredder
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Consider the following hypothetical scenario: as you walk down the street, you hear a man singing

If you're cool and you know it clap your hands!
If you're cool and you know it clap your hands!
If you're cool and you know it and you really want to show it, if you're cool and you know it clap your hands!

QUESTION: DO YOU CLAP YOUR HANDS IF YOU ARE COOL?

I need to know
 
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I would opt for not clapping my hands, but in a really cool way.
 
I'm thinking you have too much spare time on your hands if this is what you have to worry about. :smile:
 
Office_Shredder said:
QUESTION: DO YOU CLAP YOUR HANDS IF YOU ARE COOL?
That's a hard question. I'm not cool so according to the song, I shouldn't clap my hands. But when people see me not clapping, they might get the mistaken idea that I am too cool to clap to a children's song. I don't know what to do. Can I have a different question please.
 
phinds said:
I'm thinking you have too much spare time on your hands if this is what you have to worry about. :smile:
Philosophy in a nutshell.
 
Office_Shredder said:
If you're cool and you know it and you really want to show it, if you're cool and you know it clap your hands!

QUESTION: DO YOU CLAP YOUR HANDS IF YOU ARE COOL?

I need to know

I believe that Socrates said "if you're cool and you know it then your face will really show it".
Hence, clapping would be unnecessary.
 
What if you're a dork and you know it?
 
lisab said:
What if you're a dork and you know it?

This is logically impossible. If you are a dork, then by definition you don't know it.
 
Office_Shredder said:
Consider the following hypothetical scenario: as you walk down the street, you hear a man singing

Already a problem. When I walk down the street, I sing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes... knees and toes". How would I possibly hear him singing?

But, at least I'm pretty sure we must both be from the same town.

Edit: AlephZero does make a good point. Just how does one know if one is a dork?
 
  • #10
If you're cool and you know it, clamp your hams.
 
  • #11
This explains the guy that I sometimes see in a local park who claps his hands while walking (I'm not kidding). He appears to be too cool to sing the words though.
 

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