"A Really Real Life"

[Lev]

The thread "You People Sicken Me" was closed -- a good call by the moderator. At the same time, though perhaps undeserving of an answer, it urged my thoughts toward the "practical" aspects of discussing Dostoyevsky and the importance of ideas as a whole. Despite the rather confidant assertion that "philosophical obsession, like religious zealousy, help comprise the lack of action in this world," only an inanimate object (no offense) could avoid the conclusion that philosophical and religious ideas both inspire and fuel the actions of humanity. Wrong or right, ideas are behind every conflict, every culture, and every individual, even if my pet goldfish doesn't have a clue. (I don't have a pet goldfish actually, but that makes it an even better point -- .)
That said, I would also note that there is nothing that is detrimental to living "a real life" (though definitions differ) about communicating with fellow human beings in regard to topics that define the word "civilization."  
So why not "communicate" about the ways reading and discussing Dostoyevsky impacts the way we "live" -- you know, as in "a really real life" -- .

[Ivan]

I have an idea who made that other post  

But I totally agree with ya Lev.  When I think of someone who just acts, acts, acts, Greek epic heroes come to mind.  They stomp around quite comically going after their poorly thought out values.  I would like to think that, in the 21stC, we like to define ourselves and our ideas more efficiently and carefully and then act accordingly.  
How are we to know ourselves unless we can put ourselves into a sort of historical context?  And how can we achieve a historical context without being a bookworm for a long time?
Dostoevsky's "questions" are relevant today (that's why we like him!) and therefore there aren't any satisfactory answers.  Being aware of these "transcendent" problems makes us aware of questions that we need to answer for ourselves.  And good luck to you all.

[Worm]

That thread of 'You people sicken me' was quite stupid and superficial.  The person himself mustn't have read much of Dostojewski .. because he must know that the content is so fantastic, that it's worth to put it a priority above things like going out and cinema.
Oh, what a dull life it would be without such hidden gems of books.  Only going out, play tennis or squash or whatever sport, cinema (and don't think about the movie) ... aren't there other things going through your head?  Dostojewski taps in onto that need of needing deeper information, like a jet flying through the air, and refueling in flight in a much bigger jet that's filled with fuel.  There are words in his works that teach you things.  You can learn from it.  He can make you think differently about things .. perhaps more correct.  It can give you a glimpse of the depth of things - if your eyes are shortsighted, and you don't see much of the depth that is REALLY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, those words can make them sharper, and more farsighted.  In fact, the people that say that reading Dostojewski is a waste of time, should open it - they are blindfolded.  And realize that most of us aren't superficial soulless geeks with glasses and freckles with goofy smiles, but people that are interested in the more serious side of life.  What children those people are.
And i don't always like going outside, by the way.  Look at how things can be; people can be such assholes and can be so stupid ... life itself can be hard.  It's easy to read a book .. and to refuel in the beautiful poetic words of Dostojewski.  Those children are probably living in some small niche in society, where all is beautiful and sunny all day long .. and very protected from the ugliness of the real world.  If they wouldn't, they would feel the hardness of life sometimes crushing onto our souls .. and would understand our longing for works of Dostojewski.  
I myself can do quite a lot of things .. but i definitly consiously choose to seclude myself with great books from time to time.  It's one of the greatest things in the world, in my opinion.  His words try to hit on the subtle and most essential nerve in the life of a human, which is so hidden and so asleep, and tries to re-awaken the 'limb' that nerve controls .. the limb of our hearts.  Who here doesn't sometimes have the feeling, behind all his activities, that he is 'rusted' or 'cold'?  That's what Dostojewski is about.
These little ones also haven't hit much upon the great questions of life in their real life .. what do they know?    
Cinema, drinking, going out, chattering .. is this civilization?  It's a consumer lifestyle.  It's for weaklings and unserious people that live for pleasure.  They can live like that, it's their choice.  But civilized it's not.  They thrive on the work of others; little rats in a box that nicely receive their food from someone.  They don't do a thing.  Such a lifestyle doesn't educate you, it doesn't develop you .. it doesn't hit you.  You stagnate in such a life.
When will we finally realize that there is no time for cinema and going out, because there is SO MUCH DIFFICULT WORK  AHEAD OF ALL OF US, and we have no time to waste our time on play.

[Mitya]

How are we to know ourselves unless we can put ourselves into a sort of historical context?  And how can we achieve a historical context without being a bookworm for a long time?

Great little set of sentences there, Ivan. And I agree.

[Lev]

So we have more in common then just reading Dostoyevsky -- .
I like the way Worm uses the term "children" -- more compassionate than my "fools." That's very true... I mean, no person should have to live like that. And how would they be able to see what they're missing out on? They are blind to it.
One of the things that marks us as being human is our ability to "transcend" and grapple with the transcendent problems Ivan metions. My fictional pet goldfish can't do that either. They have that ability but it is stifled so often. Great books (like "the hardness of life") tend to snap us back into asking the important questions... the ones that demand to be answered.

[axon]

Our world is full of ignorant people like the trolls that have posted that thread...I do call them ignorant because they vent off their often dumb opinions without a bit of thought. I don't care if you don't read and rather play video games or scratch your butt doing nothing all day, as long as you don't attack people who have better things to do. But this is subjective again  

anyways, I run into similar people all the time; being an engineering major not many (actually I can't think of one) share my interests outside of our major. Cracks about me persuing english as well are quite frequent during study sessions...I know its all in good fun so I make fun of their 8th grade reading levels....hehe.

That is why I have friends in other disciplines who do care about such things as poetry, philosophy, and literature...hopefully one of them will join our forum soon.

I read mostly for enjoyment but also to be a more "well rounded" person as they say. I don't like to be left out of any conversation because I know nothing about the subject.

I've also seen that many people mature and see the importance of reading and such...but sadly, there are also many of those who never do and in their 40's behave and think the same way they did when they were 18.

[Mogwai]

Odds are that poster was a disgruntled 16 year old that is being forced to read Crime and Punishment in his literature class.  He doesn't understand the brilliance of it and hasn't given the book a chance yet.  He probably hasn't even read any Dostoevsky works at this point...

[Worm]

I let myself go a little bit ...
I have that sometimes ...
 

Axon:
Friends in the philosophy line are very welcome here, Axon.  I hope one or more of them take a peek in here and join.

I read to learn, to stimulate my thoughts, to discover things i didn't know yet ...

There are people of 40 that behave like they are 18.  A great truth, and a great scandal.  I pray i will never become like that.  It saddens me endlessly.

Lev:
I prefer 'children' or 'little ones' (i talk like that IRL too by the way) .. it's indeed more compassionate, and i am compassionate towards those little people.  They have so much to learn .. their souls are so small.  And they indeed miss out on a lot ... they may think the explosions and SFX in their videogames are the shit, but i've seen other things that are more shit than those games.  Real life is really something.
My real goldfish, Dante, can't indeed grapple transcendental problems... what a meager existence he has.  

Now with your last sentence there, you've said something.
I'd like to hear more of your vision on Great Books.


Fyodor:
i'm quite sure the poster was Prince Myshkin.  It has the same style.  
I think the guy isn't that bad, i've messaged with him .. he just typs weird things in the forum, and comes across as rather weird.

[Lev]

Worm: Well, "my vision" ... Just that we become too comfortable with life as it is sometimes... and a book worth reading is one that can give us a "fresh" way of looking at important issues, as if we had only just arrived here or were looking at the world from the outside. Of course, it is also like talking to the authors, to see what they have to say. A conversation about vital issues with people you respect is much more practical and interesting than one that is just noise. And of course the ultimate goal is always to grow in your understanding of what is true. Anything else would be a lie.

[Worm]

Where was i?

Yea, you can learn from a book.  It's communication with the author.  In fact, i think certain authors have something to do with that new line (-God is necessary-)under your name.

[Lev]

I mainly had Dostoyevsky in mind... though I'm sure other people have said it.

[sadfireworks]

Thinking about practicality is positive, especially in a political or religious sense, how to put ideas into practice, I for one consider it to be important. Reaching conclusions also calls for application. Wondering is a beautiful thing, but should it not lead us to something more practical and integrate? there should always be pratical aspects, even if only to discuss them, and hopefully they fit best in people's hearts if not in their hands. That incorporates more fully the idea of being active and having a grip on reality.

[Lev]

and hopefully they fit best in people's hearts if not in their hands.

A good point . If it becomes apart of who we are that in turn will work into our choices.
Speaking of which, I think I will modify that post a bit -- Now that I'm not all worked up about that it seems harsh! Please excuse me...