Originally posted by knightmeisterNot so strange, when you think about it—it’s an excellent way to test our thinking against other minds.
Absolutely , I mean when you think about it most of us spend a lot of time talking to people who vehemently disagree with us. It's a bit strange really.
And agreement does not seem to be requisite for either respect or friendship. Of course, friendship, too, might be tested in the heat of the intellectual battle—but that is a risk that friends sometimes are willing to take for one another...
In answer to the opening question: No, we are not all friends. But, as you indicate, there are some strange friendships on here, some that would not be readily apparent from the posts...
Originally posted by vistesdI agree with that, some don't look for friendships here, just targets.
Not so strange, when you think about it—it’s an excellent way to test our thinking against other minds.
And agreement does not seem to be requisite for either respect or friendship. Of course, friendship, too, might be tested in the heat of the intellectual battle—but that is a risk that friends sometimes are willing to take for one another...
In answ ...[text shortened]... are some strange friendships on here, some that would not be readily apparent from the posts...
Kelly
Whilst I bear no ill-will to anyone here, there are certain pre-requisites to being friends with someone, which only certain people exhibit.
Vistesd, I am intrigued by your use of Eudaimonia in previous posts. Have you read much Aristotle? In particular his Nicomachean Ethics in which he deals, among other things, the role of friendship in pursuit of Eudaimonia. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on his views on friendship.
Originally posted by KellyJayThe only time I’ve ever felt like a target in your sights, Kelly, was when we played chess...😉
I agree with that, some don't look for friendships here, just targets.
Kelly
You and I have had some discussions that got a bit heated (probably mostly on my end), but we’ve also learned when to let an impasse be an impasse before things get destructive (at least I hope so).
Originally posted by StarrmanUnfortunately, I have not read much Aristotle—a little by way of commentary. I got eudaimonia second-hand from bbarr, and found it to be a term that resonates with me.
Whilst I bear no ill-will to anyone here, there are certain pre-requisites to being friends with someone, which only certain people exhibit.
Vistesd, I am intrigued by your use of Eudaimonia in previous posts. Have you read much Aristotle? In particular his Nicomachean Ethics in which he deals, among other things, the role of friendship in pursuit of Eudaimonia. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on his views on friendship.
In terms of friendship, just to think briefly out loud, I would think that it involves—at its best and deepest—a mutual desire for one another’s eudaimonia; in that sense, it is not necessarily self-sacrificial (in the conventional sense, anyway), nor completely altruistic. I enjoy seeing my wife joyfully flourish in her life. We each seek that for the other, without denigrating our own. There is an aspect of non-clinging to that, as well.
Originally posted by vistesdThere are only a couple of people here I would avoid in real life, and
The only time I’ve ever felt like a target in your sights, Kelly, was when we played chess...😉
You and I have had some discussions that got a bit heated (probably mostly on my end), but we’ve also learned when to let an impasse be an impasse before things get destructive (at least I hope so).
basically they never let up on the insults so what would be the point,
and when I get into discussions with them, the weightier part of their
post are only insults. I enjoy a heated discussion as long as it doesn't
get personal, for me I believe people who defend their beliefs even if
I disagree with them are much more interesting here than those I
agree with, but do not defend them. As far as friendships are concern,
vistesd you are the type of person I'd love to have as a neighbor and
a friend. Some here I'd like to be friends with in real life, but basically
only if they lived on the other side of town. 🙂
Kelly
Originally posted by KellyJayHave you ever had a neighbor with goats?
There are only a couple of people here I would avoid in real life, and
basically they never let up on the insults so what would be the point,
and when I get into discussions with them, the weightier part of their
post are only insults. I enjoy a heated discussion as long as it doesn't
get personal, for me I believe people who defend their beliefs even i ...[text shortened]... nds with in real life, but basically
only if they lived on the other side of town. 🙂
Kelly
Originally posted by KellyJayThank you, Kelly; I truly appreciate that, and the feeling is mutual.
There are only a couple of people here I would avoid in real life, and
basically they never let up on the insults so what would be the point,
and when I get into discussions with them, the weightier part of their
post are only insults. I enjoy a heated discussion as long as it doesn't
get personal, for me I believe people who defend their beliefs even i ...[text shortened]... nds with in real life, but basically
only if they lived on the other side of town. 🙂
Kelly
PS: Ignore Kirk’s comment about the goats—we wouldn’t let them eat your yard...