Do you enjoy discussing the abstract and profound questions: what is the meaning of life, what is the purpose of humanity, what gives humans value? Do you prefer concrete discipline-related topics? Or perhaps both? Why?
Filippo, notice that the word "profound" is in quotes and that it is further described in the explanation section as "far out" stuff like "what is the meaning of life?" I think discipline-related topics might be described as "in depth" more than profound but I have no problem calling them profound.
What I'm asking, with an obvious lack of clarity, could be distinguished as "questions for which there is no answer but let's discuss it anyway" vs. "questions that have an answer and the correct one depends on who has the best facts, evidence, and arguments."
Another example could be the Medieval scholars who wrote volumes arguing with each other over the abstract and "profound" topic of "How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?" (This is not a fable; it's true.) This would be in contrast to the later work of Bacon and Newton, for example, who delved into concrete, in-depth (profound), discipline-related topics.
And to add my preference, I enjoy both types of conversations. I like to exercise my thinking with the abstract, which I usually know nothing about but I'm not wrong because no one is wrong when there is no definitive answer/solution!! :D I enjoy the disciplinary topics because I learn new things and refresh my aged memory with something long forgotten.
Forgive me for rambling!!
Regards, John
Questions of the 'abstract and profound' type (such as 'What is the purpose of humanity?') are answered by each individual on the basis of personal beliefs. Personal beliefs may well differ markedly across individuals (often due to the person's religion or lack of religion) and what tends to happen is that Person A states his/her position, Person B states his/her position, there is little in common, and both people go away with their views entirely unaltered! In this way, discussion of questions of that sort can be exasperating... So, I think I prefer questions of the second type!
Brian, I agree that the discussion of abstract topics can be exasperating. And they can become argumentative as well when one or more continues to insist he is "right" and wants everyone to agree with him. This is when I leave the discussion.
Elisabed, you have an interesting point. I wonder if it works the other way as well: an abstract discussion leading to a specific topic or question. I suppose it would work both ways. What do you think? Any thoughts on how or why we would make such a shift in a conversation?
Regards, John
>'They can become argumentative as well when one or more continues to insist he is "right" and wants everyone to agree with him."
Yes, this is definitely a contributor to my exasperation about that kind of discussion, John! Because people in such a discussion base their comments on personal beliefs, they tend to feel strongly about their position. Thus, they try very hard to bring others round to their position. But those 'others' also have positions based on personal beliefs, so (I think) generally such discussions result in no change in the positions of anyone taking part. Often lots of heat, but usually no light!
Brian, I agree and well said: "Often lots of heat, but usually no light!"
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