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Several philosophers (Maurice Merleau-Ponty, most notably) have suggested that we learn the world through our bodies (rather than thinking through it with our m
by bmj 8y ago
Several philosophers (Maurice Merleau-Ponty, most notably) have suggested that we learn the world through our bodies (rather than thinking through it with our minds), and that liturgy and ritual are critical because they engage our bodies rather than simply our minds.
- xamuel 8y agoOne big source of secular ritual is the military. And there's nothing more pragmatic and practical-minded than a military, so the fact they have so much ritual there really says something.
- LyndsySimon 8y agoIn this light, I've come to see "patriotism" in the US sense as a secular religion. Consider: * The Pledge of Allegiance as a prayer * The Constitution and Delcaration of Indepence as scripture * The Federalist Papers and other writings as apocrypha * The flag's design as a religious symbol * The physical flag as an idol * The courts as clergy This view is further reinforced by how Islam mixes the political and religious spheres. In many cases, the clergy act as courts. The flag of Saudi Arabia and many other Islamic countries include religious symbols.
- ASalazarMX 8y agoTake their word with a grain of salt. Some philosophers have said reality doesn't exist, or that you can't arrive anywhere because there is an infinite number of distances to traverse.
- haZard_OS 8y agoEven Zeno knew the arrow would arrive at the other end of the room. The real question was what was creating the (apparent) paradox. A little philosophy will get you in trouble. Just like martial arts or programming.
- ASalazarMX 8y agoI'd argue that too much philosophy will also get you in trouble for abstracting reality too much.