What's Your Personal Philosophy for Life?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around personal philosophies and maxims for life, exploring various perspectives on how individuals choose to navigate their existence. Participants share personal sayings, reflect on the nature of advice, and consider the implications of different life philosophies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest personal maxims such as "Be your own person" and "Live by your wits," emphasizing individuality and self-reliance.
  • Others share humorous or anecdotal maxims from parental figures, such as "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice," highlighting the value of kindness.
  • A few participants argue against having a single guiding principle, suggesting that life is too complex and context-dependent for rigid maxims.
  • Some contributions reflect on the importance of good intentions, while others caution that good intentions can lead to negative outcomes if not balanced with honesty and morality.
  • There are humorous and light-hearted contributions, such as "I'm not here for a long time-- only a good time," which contrast with more serious reflections on life philosophy.
  • One participant discusses the relationship between money and happiness, suggesting that while money can alleviate worries, it does not guarantee happiness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on personal philosophy, with no clear consensus. Some agree on the importance of kindness and good intentions, while others challenge the idea of having a singular guiding principle, indicating a diversity of thought on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants' maxims and philosophies vary widely, reflecting personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. The discussion includes humor and anecdotal evidence, which may not align with more formal philosophical discourse.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in personal development, philosophy, or those seeking diverse perspectives on life principles may find this discussion engaging.

  • #31
JasonRox said:
First, you must define good intention.
I define it as what a person thinks is best at a given time. Wouldn't you agree--for example--that by this definition, terrorists act on their good intentions?
 
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  • #32
Gokul43201 said:
Maximize life, but don't ever maximize it!

<oops!>


Oh yeah? How about this one?

Never eat yellow snow. :-p
 
Last edited:
  • #33
Isn't the yellow snow psychoactive?
 
  • #34
I don't know. Is bear or hiker pee pee psychoactive?
 
  • #35
Depends on what mushrooms they have been eating.
 
  • #36
0rthodontist said:
I define it as what a person thinks is best at a given time. Wouldn't you agree--for example--that by this definition, terrorists act on their good intentions?

Well yeah, and wouldn't you agree if we let "honesty" be defined by what a person thinks is "honesty" also leads to chaotic outcomes?
 
  • #37
I'm treating honesty as an absolute. I'm not saying act by what you think is honest--I'm saying act by what is honest.

In the same way, but reversed, I'm not saying act by what is right--I'm saying act by what you think is right, and what you think is right is also known as your best intentions. These are notoriously fickle. If I just said act by what is right, then there would be no need to say anything else, but by the same token it wouldn't impart much information on how to act.
 
  • #38
Elements of my philosophy are scattered throughout my journal/blog, but I like this.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body.

The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids and fuel gauge on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming - Holy s***! What a Ride!"
Yeah! :biggrin: :-p
 
  • #39
Life's a b*tch, but it beats the hell out of the alternative.
 
  • #40
Astronuc said:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body.

The goal is to skid in broadside; tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids and fuel gauge on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, and loudly proclaiming - Holy s***! What a Ride!"

It almost sounds like someone is then planning on donating his body to the Wayne State crash test lab... :biggrin:
 
  • #41
physics girl phd said:
It almost sounds like someone is then planning on donating his body to the Wayne State crash test lab... :biggrin:
I've crash landed on the ground a few times - the last few times falling of a roof or out of a tree.
 
  • #42
Luckily, if you land on your beard you'll just bounce a bit. :biggrin:
 
  • #43
Danger said:
Luckily, if you land on your beard you'll just bounce a bit. :biggrin:

and why is that so?
 
  • #44
Have you looked at his picture? The man grew his own air-bag.
 

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