19 Jul 20
1 edit
@fmf saidI think the desire to understand where we originate from, combined with the need to hope that we are going somewhere is a powerful cognitive intoxicant.
Almost all religions make a leap from the belief that we were created to the belief that we will or can have everlasting life.
Doesn't this say more about the reality of human nature than it does about the reality of the universe?
19 Jul 20
@fmf saidCan or will the universe cease to exist? Will man cease to exist when the known universe ceases to exist?
Almost all religions make a leap from the belief that we were created to the belief that we will or can have everlasting life.
Doesn't this say more about the reality of human nature than it does about the reality of the universe?
What does it mean that humans look up to the sky and ask "is there more than this?" "What happens after I die?"
I think it in man's nature, as a created being, to conceive of something greater than himself, and perceive and take hold of it.
19 Jul 20
1 edit
@divegeester saidIntoxicant - an intoxicating substance
I think the desire to understand where we originate from, combined with the need to hope that we are going somewhere is a powerful cognitive intoxicant.
What, if I may ask, out of my own curiosity, do you think is the substance of "the desire to understand" and "the need to hope"?
How would you define and/or describe their substance?
19 Jul 20
@secondson saidWhy have you put “substance” in quotation marks?
Intoxicant - an intoxicating substance
What, if I may ask, out of my own curiosity, do you think is the "substance" of "the desire to understand" and "the need to hope"?
How would you define and/or describe their substance?
19 Jul 20
@divegeester saidI fixed it.
Why have you put “substance” in quotation marks?
I think I was merely trying to emphasize to focus on the word as the ingredient relative to the word "intoxicant" as used by you to describe "desire" and "need".
If I had said what you said, I'm not sure I could answer my own question.
19 Jul 20
@secondson saidThe “desire to understand “ is an expression of the human predisposition to understand the world around us and our part within it, including our origins and destination.
Intoxicant - an intoxicating substance
What, if I may ask, out of my own curiosity, do you think is the substance of "the desire to understand" and "the need to hope"?
How would you define and/or describe their substance?
“Intoxicating” is a metaphor. Have you researched the meaning of “metaphor” yet? It seems not.
19 Jul 20
@secondson saidMost will tell you that it centers around a fear of death (or some such).
Can or will the universe cease to exist? Will man cease to exist when the known universe ceases to exist?
What does it mean that humans look up to the sky and ask "is there more than this?" "What happens after I die?"
I think it in man's nature, as a created being, to conceive of something greater than himself, and perceive and take hold of it.
19 Jul 20
@divegeester saidIntoxicants depress cognitive function ultimately resulting in confusional states. I suspect that whilst the literal meaning of what you have written makes little sense you wrote this with the purpose of communicating something else and so respectfully ask you what you are trying to communicate?
I think the desire to understand where we originate from, combined with the need to hope that we are going somewhere is a powerful cognitive intoxicant.
19 Jul 20
@petewxyz saidIf you too struggle with interpreting metaphors, then perhaps try substituting my evocative and flowery “intoxicant” with any of these potential alternatives:
Intoxicants depress cognitive function ultimately resulting in confusional states. I suspect that whilst the literal meaning of what you have written makes little sense you wrote this with the purpose of communicating something else and so respectfully ask you what you are trying to communicate?
- motivator
- stimulant
- driver
PS “flowery” is another metaphor, sorry!
@divegeester saidIf you can't see that I am pointing out to you that communication can have more than one level of meaning with reference to your history of not looking for the other person's meaning, whilst focusing on the detail of a single statement, there will be little point in engaging in this further. 😉
If you too struggle with interpreting metaphors, then perhaps try substituting my evocative and flowery “intoxicant” with any of these potential alternatives:
- motivator
- stimulant
- driver
PS “flowery” is another metaphor, sorry!
19 Jul 20
@secondson saidCan or will the universe cease to exist? Will man cease to exist when the known universe ceases to exist?
Can or will the universe cease to exist? Will man cease to exist when the known universe ceases to exist?
What does it mean that humans look up to the sky and ask "is there more than this?" "What happens after I die?"
I think it in man's nature, as a created being, to conceive of something greater than himself, and perceive and take hold of it.
Don't know. And don't know. We can but speculate.
What does it mean that humans look up to the sky and ask "is there more than this?" "What happens after I die?"
I think it is perfectly understandable that humans ask these questions.
I think it in man's nature, as a created being, to conceive of something greater than himself, and perceive and take hold of it.
I agree with this ~ except I would replace the last seven words with "...and perceive that they are taking hold of it."
19 Jul 20
@petewxyz saidPlease feel free to make your own posting choices if you find the use of “intoxicant”, and my subsequent explanation of it, difficult to process.
If you can't see that I am pointing out to you that communication can have more than one level of meaning with reference to your history of not looking for the other person's meaning, whilst focusing on the detail of a single statement, there will be little point in engaging in this further. 😉
19 Jul 20
2 edits
@divegeester saidFine, I'll accept that, but you said that the desire to understand and the need to know are "powerful cognitive intoxicant(s)", and I understand how you're using "powerful cognitive intoxicant" as a metaphor to answer FMF's OP. I have no issue with that.
The “desire to understand “ is an expression of the human predisposition to understand the world around us and our part within it, including our origins and destination.
“Intoxicating” is a metaphor. Have you researched the meaning of “metaphor” yet? It seems not.
I guess I was merely asking for more elaboration on your initial thoughts, like maybe you might add how you think those powerful cognitive intoxicant(s)" came about.
Like, did God create in man those desires and needs"? Or perhaps they develop in man as a result of the separation from the spiritual life and fellowship with God?
Follow my drift?
19 Jul 20
@fmf saidDon't know. And don't know. We can but speculate.
Can or will the universe cease to exist? Will man cease to exist when the known universe ceases to exist?
Don't know. And don't know. We can but speculate.
What does it mean that humans look up to the sky and ask "is there more than this?" "What happens after I die?"
I think it is perfectly understandable that humans ask these questions.
[b]I think it in ...[text shortened]... except I would replace the last seven words with "...and perceive that they are taking hold of it."
I don't want to speculate. I want to know. And I do.
I think it is perfectly understandable that humans ask these questions.
I'm glad you "think it is perfectly understandable", but I asked "what does it mean"?
I agree with this ~ except I would replace the last seven words with "...and perceive that they are taking hold of it."
Interesting play on words.
I think I should have said, "I think it is in man's nature, as a created being, to perceive of something greater than himself, and take hold of it."