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[Visalakshi Ramani]

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A school of thought

# 3. Dialectics

Dialectic is also known as dialectics and the dialectical method. It is a method of argument for resolving the disagreement in different philosophies.

The word dialectic originated in Ancient Greece. It was made popular by the dialogues of Plato and Socrates.

The dialectical method is a dialogue between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject, who wish to establish the truth of the matter by dialogue using reason.

Dialectics is different from debate - wherein the debaters are committed to their points of view, and mean to win the debate, either by persuading the opponent, proving their argument correct, or proving the opponent's argument incorrect — thus, either a judge or a jury must decide who wins the debate.

Dialectics is also different from rhetoric - wherein the speaker uses several methods like logos, ethos, pathos to persuade listeners to take their side of the argument.

 

[sadasivam.sridharan]

A school of thought

# 3. Dialectics

Dialectic is also known as dialectics and the dialectical method. It is a method of argument for resolving the disagreement in different philosophies.

The word dialectic originated in Ancient Greece. It was made popular by the dialogues of Plato and Socrates.

The dialectical method is a dialogue between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject, who wish to establish the truth of the matter by dialogue using reason.

Dialectics is different from debate - wherein the debaters are committed to their points of view, and mean to win the debate, either by persuading the opponent, proving their argument correct, or proving the opponent's argument incorrect — thus, either a judge or a jury must decide who wins the debate.

Dialectics is also different from rhetoric - wherein the speaker uses several methods like logos, ethos, pathos to persuade listeners to take their side of the argument.

இதைத்தான் சம்ஸ்க்ருதத்தில் தர்க்க சாஸ்திரம் என்று சொல்கிறார்கள் என்று நினைக்கிறேன்.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

tarkkam = argument or debate where one person is the winner

and the other the loser.

Am I correct Mr. Sangom?

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

# 3. Dialectic: (Some more information)

The method of discovering the truth by proceeding from an assertion or thesis, to a denial or antithesis and reconciling these to two through a synthesis. This in turn becomes a new thesis.

An Example:
Mankind is basically good (Thesis)
Mankind is basically bad (Antithesis)
Man is both good and bad (Synthesis).

The dialectical system was devised by the German Philosopher
Georg Hegel (1770-1830).

It was later used by Karl Marx (1818-1883) to develop his theory of Dialectical Materialism.

 

[guruvayurappan]

dear VR !
at the end of debate if it is done on true spirit , the winner is the teacher and the looser is the student who is corrected of his misconception. am i correct ?
guruvayurappan

 

[guruvayurappan]

dear VR !
kindly explain vatham, vithandavatham,vivatham, vendavathams and pidivathams
regards,
guruvayurappan

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Under Ideal conditions...YES.
But I am not sure how many people will have the humility to accept their defeat and come out of their misconceptions.
To each man, what he thinks, says and does is the right thing!

dear VR !
at the end of debate if it is done on true spirit , the winner is the teacher and the looser is the student who is corrected of his misconception. am i correct ?
guruvayurappan

 

[guruvayurappan]

dear VR!
it is very danger to be" To each man, what he thinks, says and does is the right thing!" and it is equal to walk with closed eyes.
cheers,
guruvayurappan

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

I thought that this was the one statement no one would challenge!

Have you ever tried convincing some one that he / she is wrong?:argue:

Try it first and then you will agree with my opinion!

People hold on to their views as they were dearer than thier lives.

dear VR!
it is very danger to be" To each man, what he thinks, says and does is the right thing!" and it is equal to walk with closed eyes.
cheers,
guruvayurappan

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

dear VR !
kindly explain vatham, vithandavatham,vivatham, vendavathams and pidivathams
regards,
guruvayurappan

vaadam = speech, narrating, discussion, inquiry, reply, conclusion, explanation, argue a case in a court.

vivaadam = disputation, debating, litigation, order.

vithandaavaadam = wanton arguement serving no purpose.

pidivaatham = holding on to something like the proverbial lizard "UDUMBU"

 

[guruvayurappan]

I thought that this was the one statement no one would challenge!

Have you ever tried convincing some one that he / she is wrong?:argue:

Try it first and then you will agree with my opinion!

People hold on to their views as they were dearer than thier lives.

dear VR!
i am not differing on your view.i will not argue with people(it does not applies to you ) beyond certain point after knowing their nature and way of debating.
guruvayurappan.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

# 4. Empiricism.

Empiricism is a school of thought which asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via sensory experience.

This is a seventeenth century British philosophy. It states that all knowledge is derived from sensory organs, by experience, observations and experimenting.

Empiricism emphasises the role of experience, evidence and sensory perception in the formation of ideas, over the notion of innate ideas and tradition.

Empiricism emphasises on evidence, especially as discovered experimentally. It is a fundamental part of the scientific method that all hypotheses and theories must be tested against observations of the natural world rather than resting on reasoning, intuition and revelation

Francis Bacon, John Locke and David Hume were some of the Philosophers associated with empiricism

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

# 5. Epicurean-ism

The philosophy originated by Epicurus flourished for seven centuries. It propounded an ethic of individual pleasure as the sole or chief good in life.

Hence, Epicurus advocated living in such a way as to derive the greatest amount of pleasure possible during one’s lifetime, yet doing so moderately in order to avoid the suffering incurred by overindulgence in such pleasure.

The emphasis was placed on pleasures of the mind rather than on physical pleasures. According to Epicurus, with whom a person eats is of greater importance than what is eaten.

Unnecessary and artificially produced desires were to be suppressed. Learning, culture and civilisation as well as social and political involvements could give rise to many desires.

These desires were difficult to be satisfied and they would disturb one’s peace of mind. So they were discouraged.

Knowledge was sought only to rid oneself of religious fears and superstitions. The two primary fears to be eliminated were the fear of the gods and of death.

Viewing marriage and what attends it as a threat to one’s peace of mind, Epicurus lived a celibate life but did not impose this restriction on his followers.

The philosophy was characterised by an absence of divine principle. Lawbreaking was counselled against because of both the shame associated with detection and the punishment it might bring.

Living in fear of being found out or punished would take away from pleasure, and this made even secret wrongdoing inadvisable.

To the Epicureans, virtue in itself had no value and was beneficial only when it served as a means to gain happiness.

Reciprocity was recommended, not because it was divinely ordered or innately noble, but because it was personally beneficial.

Friendships rested on the same mutual basis, that is, the pleasure resulting to the possessors. Epicurus laid great emphasis on developing friendships as the basis of a satisfying life.

While the pursuit of pleasure formed the focal point of the philosophy, this was largely directed to the "static pleasures" of minimising pain, anxiety and suffering.

In fact Epicurus referred to life as a “bitter gift”.

"When we say...that pleasure is the end and aim, we do not mean the pleasures of the prodigal or the pleasures of sensuality, as we are understood to do by some through ignorance, prejudice or wilful misrepresentation.

By pleasure we mean the absence of pain in the body and of trouble in the soul. It is not by an unbroken succession of drinking bouts and of revelry, not by sexual lust, nor the enjoyment of fish and other delicacies of a luxurious table, which produce a pleasant life;

it is sober reasoning, searching out the grounds of every choice and avoidance, and banishing those beliefs through which the greatest tumults take possession of the soul."

​

The Epicureans believed in the existence of the gods, but believed that the gods were made of atoms just like everything else.

It was thought that the gods were too far away from the earth to have any interest in what man was doing; so it did not do any good to pray or to sacrifice to them.

The gods, they believed, did not create the universe, nor did they inflict punishment or bestow blessings on anyone, but they were supremely happy; this was the goal to strive for during one’s own human life.
"Live unknown" was one of key maxims. This was completely at odds with all previous ideas of seeking fame and glory, or even wanting something so apparently decent as honour."
Epicurean ism rejects immortality and mysticism; it believes in the soul, but suggests that the soul is as mortal as the body. Epicurus rejected any possibility of an afterlife, while still contending that one need not fear death:

Death is nothing to us; for that which is dissolved, is without sensation, and that which lacks sensation is nothing to us.

 

[guruvayurappan]

dear VR !
wonderful and very useful information. we are following some and read some in other- isms.kindly give give te biography of Epicurusthanks
Guruvayurappan

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

If I can't give it today, you may have to wait for two more days, since I am taking a short break on 9th and 10th January - to entertain my favourite nephew (who still calls me as mummy) and his wife and one year old baby princess. I want to make some special posts on Siva today. No idea as to how much time I will need to prepare those posts hot hot!

dear VR !
wonderful and very useful information. we are following some and read some in other- isms.kindly give give te biography of Epicurusthanks
Guruvayurappan

 

[Brahmanyan]

Dear Mrs.Visalakshi Ramani,

Thanks for the excellent writeup on the Greek Philosopher Epicurus and his thoughts.
I am an admirer of this famous philosopher and member of an internet Forum discussing his thoughts.
Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Everyone loves an appreciation. When it comes from a learned person like

your good self, it carries so much more weight. Thank you sir! ray2:

Dear Mrs.Visalakshi Ramani,

Thanks for the excellent writeup on the Greek Philosopher Epicurus and his thoughts.
I am an admirer of this famous philosopher and member of a internet Forum discussing his thoughts.
Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[guruvayurappan]

dear VJ !
thanks and eagerly waiting for your post even though i reffered it in wikipidia since subject is very interesting while it is presented by you . nalla teacher
regards,
guruvayurappan

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

I guess you will have to wit till 11th Jan' for my post! :ranger:

With the morning puja + evening Pournami Lalitha sahasranaama archanai

+ the usual household chores did not give me even one extra minute.

I think waiting makes the life more interesting. So let us all learn to wait

dear VJ !
thanks and eagerly waiting for your post even though i reffered it in wikipidia since subject is very interesting while it is presented by you . nalla teacher
regards,
guruvayurappan

 

[Brahmanyan]

I think waiting makes the life more interesting. So let us all learn to wait

Dear Mrs Visalakshi Ramani,

You said it again. Waiting keeps the continuity of life more interesting. It helps softening of mind. A sort of meditation.

Warm Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[guruvayurappan]

I guess you will have to wit till 11th Jan' for my post! :ranger:

With the morning puja + evening Pournami Lalitha sahasranaama archanai

+ the usual household chores did not give me even one extra minute.

I think waiting makes the life more interesting. So let us all learn to wait

dear VJ!
the quote was usually used for lovers . now you correctly used it .nothing wrong in waiting while the result is good and satisfying. poruthar boomi alwar
guruvayurappan

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

To get a beautiful baby, the parents have to wait for
40 weeks-after it is conceived!

To form an exquisite pearl, the oyster has to wait for many weeks and months.

A good wine needs many years to mature into the required high standard.

Anything good is not freely avilable in life. If it is too freely avilable, it may not be really good.

So waiting IS a form of meditation - as rightly pointed out by you sir!.

Even otherwise the anticipation of an event is much more thrilling than the event itself.

Dear Mrs Visalakshi Ramani,

You said it again. Waiting keeps the continuity of life more interesting. It helps softening of mind. A sort of meditation.

Warm Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

We wait for the rare visits of our children for years. Their actual visit will be very short and will appear like a dream after they go back.
So the anticipation brings more joy than their actual short visit!

dear VJ!
the quote was usually used for lovers . now you correctly used it .nothing wrong in waiting while the result is good and satisfying. poruthar boomi alwar
guruvayurappan

 

[Brahmanyan]

Dear Mrs. Visalakshi Ramani,

On this occasion of the anniversary of Tamil Brahmins Forum, I wish to acknowledge your achievements in the Forum as " stupendous". Look at your statistics as on today 7,747 posts
and 5,371 Blog entries. All this within 16 months of membership ! Some thing that any one will
be proud of. Your posts are highly informative covering wide range of subjects. You have always been shrewd enough not to engage yourself in controversial subjects.
Please continue your writings. I will certainly wait for your posts.
Wishing you all the best,
Warm regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[Visalakshi Ramani]

Dear Mr. Brahmanyan,

After reading Your post my eyes welled up with tears of deep emotion.

I felt as if my dear father were talking through your words.
Thank you very much sir ray2:

I try to avoid controversy but I have been drawn into it several times.

I shall be very careful in the future to write about only informative and interesting facts and stay away from controversies which just suck up our energy and leave us mentally perturbed.

I shall strive hard to write better and about better things.
with warm regards,
Visalakshi Ramani.