PHILOSOPHY:

John Faupel asks - Do you prefer questions or answers?

When people ask how you are, I've learnt to my cost never to reply: 'In what respect do you mean?' They usually think you're being facetious and say: 'Oh, just forget I ever asked' or simply change the subject. They may even cross the street when next they see you coming. Actually, it seems surprising that talking about one's feelings, or for that matter about religion or politics, are still taboo subjects. We're on safer grounds conversing about impersonal matters, while trying to avoid upsetting those who may have opinions that differ from our own.

But isn't this kind of social etiquette a serious barrier to communication and hence to real friendship? Surely it ought to be possible to agree to disagree about whatever one thinks or feels without getting upset about it and resorting to games of one-upmanship. With an open mind we might even learn something from the contrary opinion of others. After all, how many have fallen on the battlefields of history because of their unerring loyalty to questionable beliefs? For those who think there is a serious danger in their own thoughts and feelings turning into obsessions, questions are probably more important than answers.

In my quest to find kindred spirits who think this way, I decided to start up a U3A Philosophy group. That was well over a year ago and, surprise, surprise - we're still going strong. About twelve of us have been meeting up regularly, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month, in order to question not only the beliefs of others but our own too. Questions, of course, lead to answers but answers in turn lead to more questions. You may see this as a pointless game for the pathologically inquisitive – like a dog chasing its tail – but it's been an enlightening experience and an enjoyable one too. Of course we've had our disagreements but they've never turned into arguments and everyone's personal thoughts and feelings about the subjects we've been discussing have been welcomed with interest. After all, people are invariable more worthwhile than their beliefs.

Some of the topics and questions we've tried to find answers to so far have included: 'What is morality?', 'What is consciousness?', 'Is free will an illusion?', 'A personal summary of Wittgenstein's philosophy', 'Ludwig Boltzmann – physicist and philosopher', 'The mysterious world of memes' and 'What value – belief?'

So, if notes on any of these topics interested you, please let me know (by e-mail )… or perhaps I should never have asked! However, due to demand, together with a lack of space, my original Philosphy Group, is now titled Philosphy 1, and a second Philosophy Group, run by John Dearman, now runs as Philosphy 2, again based in members' homes.

John Faupel

Philosophy 1:

Philosphy 1 meets each Wednesday at 10.30am in Members homes. Please contact John Faupel before first attendance on (01872) 561301 or 561628.

Philosophy 2:

This group is open to new members. When we started, it was just a guess  how often members would come along, so numbers invited were limited to a dozen. That was, and still is, the most that can really participate ---any more and getting a word in edgeways would become difficult. But it’s now clear that holidays, indisposition, the demands of grandchildren and the like mean that not many more than half of those invited actually make it on a given day.  If  the nominal membership of the group reaches 20 or so, there is the risk that occasionally nearly all of them will be  able to come along.  But it will not be a great catastrophe if that does happen.

We meet in Falmouth on the third Tuesday at 10.00am. Please contact John Dearman before your first attendance (01326) 318630, if you have not been before and would like to try us out.