Importance of words vs importance of talent

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the philosophical question of balancing the importance of words versus talent, particularly in the context of personal development and career choices. Participants explore the implications of choosing between a focus on verbal skills, such as philosophy, and practical skills, like mathematics and other technical fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a struggle with balancing the importance of words and talent, suggesting that while they excel in mathematics, they believe words can convey deeper understanding.
  • Another participant argues that talent may remain unrecognized without the ability to communicate effectively, while those who articulate well may lack substantive knowledge.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that pursuing mathematics and practical skills may be more beneficial, cautioning against philosophy becoming mere wordplay.
  • One participant questions whether the inclination towards practical skills is gender-specific, prompting a discussion on the differences between men and women in this context.
  • Another participant introduces a hypothetical comparison between the lives of Bill Gates and a Buddhist monk, suggesting that the dilemma may be clearer when framed in extreme terms.
  • Several participants reiterate the dilemma of choosing between philosophy and practical skills, emphasizing the subjective nature of the decision and the importance of personal judgment.
  • Quotes are shared to illustrate the tension between action and words, leaving the interpretation open to the participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the importance of words versus talent, with no clear consensus reached. Some advocate for practical skills, while others emphasize the value of philosophical inquiry and verbal expression.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects various personal experiences and philosophical perspectives, with participants acknowledging the complexity of the issue without resolving the underlying questions about the value of words and talent.

pace
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I'm going to ask a personal question. But wouldn't surprise me as also a classical philosophical question. And which I thus also really believe others have benefit from also. I'll also ask it through 'I' form, through me, so to to deliberately make it more alive. It has a general philosophical side, and a personal psyociological side.

The question is a question I've had quite a lot of trouble with recently. How should I balance the importance of words vs importance of talent? Me, I'm more good at math and general activeness, than words, which often come up to me as dazy evil little men dressed in clowns h.. But I believe that words describe much more than math do. Words is pictures+structure at once so to speak. I really believe in words, bringing us toward understanding and gladly to intelligence too. Although us is more important of course. I also believe in amaterialism, that I should as far as possible, or in the long run, go towards the living, and sort of what moves. And not extension, things.
Sure, as with very many other men, activeness in certain things in early childhood has made made me more into structure and practical things. But I think that I still make my memories, I still evolve, and maybe I can create talent? This is also a personal psyciological question.

Can anyone clear up this mess so to speak? Bring in other forgotten factors? Set up a diagram? It would be really appreciated!
I'm sure this is a question very many boys in the world today is asking themselves. Surely it must be one of those classic philosophical questions, so maybe some here also have this insight to enlighten us with.
What should I/we choose? Why?
Should I choose struggle with words in a say 3 year old philosophics course, but which I believe bring more goodness in general, and richness to myself(in soul). Or should I choose the slighter easier path with maths, or practical jobs, which I believe to be actually more honorable, since that is more needed today. A dilemma.
 
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Talent can go unpropegated and unobserved without the ability to convey the message, but there is an underlying sense of knowldge. Whereas one with the ability to convey messages well can be believed without any basis behind said satements.
 
pace said:
Should I choose struggle with words in a say 3 year old philosophics course, but which I believe bring more goodness in general, and richness to myself(in soul). Or should I choose the slighter easier path with maths, or practical jobs, which I believe to be actually more honorable, since that is more needed today. A dilemma.
I say go for the maths and practical stuff. If you're interested in philosophy you need to be careful that it doesn't just turn into arguing about the meaning of words. And 'true' philosophy would probably be better reached by getting experience of something else.
 
Something about your question interested me, i wonder if you'd mind explaining?

You refer to men being drawn to practical things, was that simpley a personal statement or do you think that women are somehow different in this regard?

As to answering your question, i would suggest that you study the maths as, clearly, you are capeable of thinking about philosophy yourself, you do not need a degree to do this! Furthermore, if you have difficulty with your expression and language you are at a great disadvantage in a philosophy degree, which is assessed mostly through essays and such.
 
What should I/we choose? Why?
Should I choose struggle with words in a say 3 year old philosophics course, but which I believe bring more goodness in general, and richness to myself(in soul). Or should I choose the slighter easier path with maths, or practical jobs, which I believe to be actually more honorable, since that is more needed today. A dilemma.
- pace

if i paraphrase .. would i do more good as Bill Gates or as a budhist monk? is that what you are asking pace?

obviously there's huge issue with good~goodness, but we could simplify a little or take a shortcut i think. to answer this question we should adopt a questionable premise and ask another question. the permise is: to impose on others is bad, and the question is: what it takes to become and be Bill Gates and what it takes to become and be a budhist monk? taken to such extremes i think the answer to the dilema is somewhat clearer* than in your case .. math vs philsophy.

in conslusion, personally i don't think it matters all that much in your case, though i tend to agree with the FatManWalking who says: Cure the mind and the ass will follow!

then again, only you are to be your own judge..

*is it really?
 
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pace said:
I'm going to ask a personal question. But wouldn't surprise me as also a classical philosophical question. And which I thus also really believe others have benefit from also. I'll also ask it through 'I' form, through me, so to to deliberately make it more alive. It has a general philosophical side, and a personal psyociological side.

The question is a question I've had quite a lot of trouble with recently. How should I balance the importance of words vs importance of talent? Me, I'm more good at math and general activeness, than words, which often come up to me as dazy evil little men dressed in clowns h.. But I believe that words describe much more than math do. Words is pictures+structure at once so to speak. I really believe in words, bringing us toward understanding and gladly to intelligence too. Although us is more important of course. I also believe in amaterialism, that I should as far as possible, or in the long run, go towards the living, and sort of what moves. And not extension, things.
Sure, as with very many other men, activeness in certain things in early childhood has made made me more into structure and practical things. But I think that I still make my memories, I still evolve, and maybe I can create talent? This is also a personal psyciological question.

Can anyone clear up this mess so to speak? Bring in other forgotten factors? Set up a diagram? It would be really appreciated!
I'm sure this is a question very many boys in the world today is asking themselves. Surely it must be one of those classic philosophical questions, so maybe some here also have this insight to enlighten us with.
What should I/we choose? Why?
Should I choose struggle with words in a say 3 year old philosophics course, but which I believe bring more goodness in general, and richness to myself(in soul). Or should I choose the slighter easier path with maths, or practical jobs, which I believe to be actually more honorable, since that is more needed today. A dilemma.

Three old quotes that might help with your stated predicament:

"The pen is mighter than the sword"

(but)

"Actions speak loader than words"

(but)

"It ain't what you do its the way that you do it"

I'll leave all the decifering and translation of these wise tid bits up to you!
 

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