The Official Off Topic Thread

it's an end in itself; realizing one's potential?

i don't know if that's it, but knowledge would especially lend itself toward that end

we are most able to realize our potential when we have all the knowledge

but it's not a sufficient condition i don't think; you also need opportunity, etc.

but that could go under knowledge

-- Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:41 pm --

the world is a place of conflict and difficulty, and human value and meaning

there also this = results

human value and meaning...

but what determines human value and meaning?

could it be overcoming conflicts and difficulties, to which effectiveness is most apt?

maybe meaning is derived from overcoming such

so the ultimate purpose or result is actually significance

humans strive for significance in the universe, and effectiveness is a suitable secondary goal toward that end

the question is does knowledge serve that in a fundamental way?

well, at leas tit takes knowledge to know how insignificant one is in the world before one even goes about even rectifying this

on the other hand, in a state of ignorance, the problem of significance wouldn't exist...which is the same as it being solved

perhaps the answer really is ignorance after all

I suppose I struggle to understand what is meant by actualising potential. What about how lazy and non-constructive I can be? It seems as though the concept needs something to be measured against and generally speaking that is other virtues*

*virtue as understood by another quote:

As already noted, the Greek word areté is usually translated into English as "virtue". One problem with this is that we are inclined to understand virtue in a moral sense, which is not always what the ancients had in mind. For a Greek, areté pertains to all sorts of qualities we would not regard as relevant to ethics, for example, physical beauty. So it is important to bear in mind that the sense of ‘virtue' operative in ancient ethics is not exclusively moral and includes more than states such as wisdom, courage and compassion. The sense of virtue which areté connotes would include saying something like "speed is a virtue in a horse", or "height is a virtue in a basketball player". Doing anything well requires virtue, and each characteristic activity (such as carpentry, flute playing, etc.) has its own set of virtues. The alternative translation "excellence" (or "a desirable quality") might be helpful in conveying this general meaning of the term. The moral virtues are simply a subset of the general sense in which a human being is capable of functioning well or excellently.

-- Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:44 pm --

I hadn't read your edit. Will later

sounds like virtue is just something that's desirable generally

^a valued characteristic = virtue

courtier, i think you are a shinning example of how knowledge itself is insufficient to realize one's higher capabilities, that other (virtues?) are necessary

you seem knowledgeable enough, or capable of obtaining knowledge when you want to, and yet you've shown unable to realize the great human abilities/achievements alluded to in the quote

in other words, i think in 'testing' that quote we need not look further than you

what is it about you that knowledge alone fails to deliver?

is it motivation?

you are motivated enough to obtain knowledge which is no easy task, but not motivated enough to apply it toward greater ends, 'real results'

once knowledge is had, what motivates humans to do great things?

desire for esteem?

power?

acquiring things?

making some impact on the world in the name of significance as alluded to earlier?

are these what define 'real results'?

maybe you already have what motivated others to apply their knowledge...

then question is then why do you still seek knowledge, apparently even in the absence of reward

you say you are lazy, but in a way you are actually the opposite, and are very capable of doing work when others would be ill motivated

i never read tons of books in my childhood, and many people only seek knowledge when they know they'll get a degree for it, or some other concrete reward

yet you have failed in these endeavors, yet have arguably amassed more knowledge than those who have sought it through these venues

and so you do have motivation and therefore potential to be actualized if you can apply it to other ends beyond knowledge acquisition itself

maybe it's just a vague sense of looking to fill a void in yourself, but not being convinced that the avenues available to you, that seem to work for others in moving them along life's milestones, will work for you; or getting sidetracked with distraction preventing longterm goal pursuit and staying with it

i guess it's about finding a path that works with the pattern of your motivation, the ups and downs so to speak; at what point do you become disinterested? well then it's finding something bares that point without breaking the path allowing yourself to continue on and stick with something

so you must find something with a particular pattern of activity that can sustain your interests; rather than being a matter of simple intensity or degree, it must conform to your pattern of cycle of interest so you don't derail, something that hugs your curves so to speak or pattern of interest, rather than going against the grain which requires that you 'bite the bullet' at times when that is unlike you

I don't think knowledge is the most important virtue. Knowledge is temporary, it can be forgotten and lost. Also you need to have the means to put this knowledge to use.

Maybe determination is more important. Seeing your projects through to the end. If you're determined enough, you can accomplish something even as a blind idiot. Knowledge alone won't necessarily earn you anything.

I don't think that I'm all that knowledgeable. Maybe being online and having access to sources helps it look more impressive than I am.

The actual post is too much for me tonight. Tired intellectually. But I agree with a lot of it. Just not how you conclude that what you built up for means that it isn't the highest virtue.

Then again, like I said, I don't actually think it is the highest virtue.

so you do look stuff up..

i'm totally improve

SBB if I can humbly ask, why hasnt anybody modded Six0clock on her naked avi? You are the mod of this forum and Six has been posting here everyday.

My avi isn't me. Go to my ig and be dazzled with some white skin sunbathing.

Why is ElephantEyes so sour?

Sixoclock0 wrote:My avi isn't me. Go to my ig and be dazzled with some white skin sunbathing.

Why is ElephantEyes so sour?

I am helping.

Your avi breaks the rules. Posting porn here is a bannable offense.

SBB seems to want to mod something so I am steering her in the appropriate direction.