best book ever...

[Standard23]

Here is the step in the arguments I just can´t agree with:

@Pavlovianmodel146

If the past is fixed and cannot be changed, then there must be only one past. (In terms of what actually, in absolute reality, happened.)

If there can be only one past, then, by default, that past is the best past.

To me it looks like a normative judgement has been smuggled in. Just because it may not be possible to have been any other way doesn´t really mean that it was for some “best”. To me one could just as easily switch “best” with “worst”. All I can really see is so sort of argument against contingency; but I´m not sure.

I find it a very interesting question about whether everything in the past could have been otherwise. Intuition strangely feels as though it couldn´t, especially in a deterministic world. But still, I struggle to justify calling this necessary state of affairs the best, which to me has dodgy normative undertones, and is thus adding a quality to a universe which, if true, can only be described as “could only have been so”.

[PavlovianModel146]

@Standard23

Here is the step in the arguments I just can´t agree with:

@Pavlovianmodel146

If the past is fixed and cannot be changed, then there must be only one past. (In terms of what actually, in absolute reality, happened.)

If there can be only one past, then, by default, that past is the best past.

To me it looks like a normative judgement has been smuggled in. Just because it may not be possible to have been any other way doesn´t really mean that it was for some “best”. To me one could just as easily switch “best” with “worst”. All I can really see is so sort of argument against contingency; but I´m not sure.

I find it a very interesting question about whether everything in the past could have been otherwise. Intuition strangely feels as though it couldn´t, especially in a deterministic world. But still, I struggle to justify calling this necessary state of affairs the best, which to me has dodgy normative undertones, and is thus adding a quality to a universe which, if true, can only be described as “could only have been so”.

You hit it exactly, it’s simultaneously (and by default) the best and the worst. Simply stated, it is the philosophy of simple acceptance on both the personal and worldly levels.

Let’s not forget the ending of Candide, where Pangloss summarizes his philsophy and Candide replies, “Well said, but we must cultivate our garden.” By believeing all thigs are for the best, or simply, all things cannot have been otherwise, people have the ability to focus on the tasks at hand, and further, the understanding that what one must do lies in the present, rather than the future or the past.

That’s why, Martin was the counterpart of Pangloss, his antagonist in a sense. He followed the philosophy that things could not have been otherwise, but simultaneously believed that things could also not be worse. In a sense, both of them had it right, but the also had the understanding that since things cannot be changed, one must do what has to be done in the present.

[Standard23]

@Pavlovianmodel146

You hit it exactly, it’s simultaneously (and by default) the best and the worst. Simply stated, it is the philosophy of simple acceptance on both the personal and worldly levels.

Let’s not forget the ending of Candide, where Pangloss summarizes his philsophy and Candide replies, “Well said, but we must cultivate our garden.” By believeing all thigs are for the best, or simply, all things cannot have been otherwise, people have the ability to focus on the tasks at hand, and further, the understanding that what one must do lies in the present, rather than the future or the past.

That’s why, Martin was the counterpart of Pangloss, his antagonist in a sense. He followed the philosophy that things could not have been otherwise, but simultaneously believed that things could also not be worse. In a sense, both of them had it right, but the also had the understanding that since things cannot be changed, one must do what has to be done in the present.

Thanks for that - I´d never really thought about it like that. It makes a lot of sense.

[MagsJ (..a chic geek)]

The 48 Laws of Power

[PavlovianModel146]

@Standard23

@Pavlovianmodel146

You hit it exactly, it’s simultaneously (and by default) the best and the worst. Simply stated, it is the philosophy of simple acceptance on both the personal and worldly levels.

Let’s not forget the ending of Candide, where Pangloss summarizes his philsophy and Candide replies, “Well said, but we must cultivate our garden.” By believeing all thigs are for the best, or simply, all things cannot have been otherwise, people have the ability to focus on the tasks at hand, and further, the understanding that what one must do lies in the present, rather than the future or the past.

That’s why, Martin was the counterpart of Pangloss, his antagonist in a sense. He followed the philosophy that things could not have been otherwise, but simultaneously believed that things could also not be worse. In a sense, both of them had it right, but the also had the understanding that since things cannot be changed, one must do what has to be done in the present.

Thanks for that - I´d never really thought about it like that. It makes a lot of sense.

Thanks, I am a little stronger at the breakdown of literature than I am at pure philosophy, anyway!

[_Phantom]

1984

[PavlovianModel146]

@_Phantom_

1984

You know, to a certain extent, (especially considering the advent of the Department of Homeland Security) the book came true. But, to me, it would take more than that to make the book a prophesy.

It is one of my Top 20 best books ever, but I don’t think I could ever make it number 1. Not unless the rest of it comes to life, anyway.

[ellis]

The Year of the Death of Richardo Reis by Jose Saramago

Close seconds would be The Guest and The Fall by Albert Camus.