Well, sometimes philosophy can lead to despair and unhappiness, but it can also lead to a sound state of mind, and happiness if you so chose it too. If you are unhappy with the general tone of the forum, feel free to start your own threads or post to brighten the mood around here. I am sure no one would complain.

Why after viewing most of this forum do I find that most postings are of a unhappy nature. It seems philosophy has become the next big thing in pseudo- psychiatry where people get to dump their feelings about how sh*t their life is and hope other people have some answers. This is not what I came to this forum for. Do you people agree?

Good god, forgive me if I'm wrong here but where is your optimism for life, you seem so down, I can even tell through your writing. Philosophy should optimise optimism.

Well, we can't exactly control other people or how they think or what they write. Philosophers in general are usually withdrawn and often times depressed because they have nobody to communicate with them on a level that is mutually understood.

On the other hand, as a member of any forum for a long period of time, people will get comfortable and where else are they going to speak about these things. At least, for the most part, we are amongst friends.

I'm here to tell you that this forum attracts people and people are happy, unhappy, crazy and many other descriptive words. Anywhere you go where there's people, there will also be unhappiness for whatever reason.

If you want happy posts and are willing to bring something to the table, you are more than encouraged to do so. Happiness is not something people find it's something they've discovered inside and it shines outward. One drop of happiness in an ocean of fear is only one drop but the entire ocean will rise with each and every drop.

So, I suggest you 'BE' the change you'd like to see in the forums.


Without knowing someone Markymark you seem in the above to be very quick to cast a judgment and then verbalize this judgment publicly. I disagree with that assessment. One thing I've learned is that when I see something wrong with someone else, it's merely a reflection of me.

So, be happy with happy posts and attitudes are contagious. As you see the happiness within the forums, happiness is what will be reflected.

Peace!

LOL, well Mark, after being administrator here of this forum for so long, I'm amazed at some of the people we attract, (as with most philosophy discussion forums)... However, we do our best to keep the place clean and hopefully a happy forum.

I will say, that we're the busiest philosophy forum on the Internet without question... and this will bring in all sorts. Anyway, it's good of you to be here and hope that you remain here and let your happiness shine in your communication with others.

Peace!

Hello Marky,
If you are looking for happiness in all probability you will collide with a whole slew of people looking for the same thing. In another post I asked question; "What comes first happiness or the smile"? So I will as you: "What comes first? Happiness or the smile?

William

I actually have much optimism for my own personal life, but towards the general outlook for collective life, much pessimism clouds my thinking. I wish I could be more optimistic about the general direction of human civilization, but the shadow of history clouds over much of my optimism.

As an idealist, I wish I could have more hope for humanity in general, but as a pragmatist, I realize that much of the optimism does no good if it is not based in reality.

you have a point. I retract my previous statements.

Perhaps the diverse nature of philosphy is made all the richer by all the nutcases out there and that includes me.

Well I did smile at that question so I guess you win

Why after viewing most of this forum do I find that most postings are of a unhappy nature. It seems philosophy has become the next big thing in pseudo- psychiatry where people get to dump their feelings about how sh*t their life is and hope other people have some asnswers. This is not what I came to this forum for.Do you people agree?

Thankyou, I look forward to some interesting nights in with my keyborad rather than my wife. See I told you there were positives if you just but look.

It could be considered that we are all in that category, just to different degrees

I don't really like the whole life has to come to me and help me out point of view, I'm more of a hard work creates opportunities (some people look at others and call that luck).

are you a fan of NKOTB

Markymark,

Ha, took me ages to figure that out. I thought it was some new philosophical jargon so I had to google it. Smack me upside the head that was dumb of me.

I don't want people to think I'm trying to be controversial or trying to incite unhappiness. I do think however a lot of people choose their discussion topics not necessarily on interest but rather on a more emotional basis. This might provide a cathartic experience for some but I'm sure others may come out of it feeling worse.

Maybe this brings up a question about the difference between passion and need. Is it healthy to be passionate about philosophical questing and unhealthy for it to be a need (need to know the asnswer)?

I dont understand when you say people come out of it feeling worse?