Philosophy 201?

Time for a bit of philosophy since I haven't waxed poetically in a while. Some thoughts came to me and they were those thoughts that only come late at night.

What defines us?

Is it our actions? or is what we say? or is it both.

What defines you?

A previous entry made use of the word hypocrite. Saying one thing and doing the opposite.

Actions or words?

For most of us, actions are both a public and private thing. But it's such a duplicitous thing because the same act in public can mean the complete opposite in private. Words on the other hand are just the opposite: mostly private sometimes public.

Is it words or is it actions?

Dichotomy - a division or the process of dividing into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities


What's the difference between public and private perception? Does it matter? What's worse: the things we do in public or our actions in private. I think that we delude ourselves with the deceptions that we create in our own lives. When we let people in, they get to know us sometimes the very perceptive know us better than ourselves. In poker, it's called a tell. We are creatures of habit, but back to the question at hand . . .

Actions or words?

I have always thought that "Actions speak louder than words" is half true. Actions: public; words: private. I think the two go hand in hand. I can talk out my ass, but unless I back it up, the words are empty. Words are important, words have meaning.


Enter Dichotomy again.

Think of the feelings evoked when someone says "I love you." How much meaning do those words carry after the the hundredth time, the two hundredth? At some point do we want those words to be backed up by actions? Does love come with a price tag? or is it just the simpleness of an act.


Let not the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no, it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken.


or

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes . . .

Are those words that were penned 400 or 200 years ago carry any less weight than a flower given unexpectedly?


Actions or Words?

There are a ton of platitudes for actions and words. Are there any for both? I have always thought if I give my word and fail to back it up what use are my words or lack of action? If you say you are going to do something and then don't do it, how many times are people going to put their trust in you. You can only treat people like a doormat for so often before they aren't going to take it. Unfortunately, people don't like to admit their mistakes. It's always the fault of someone else," you've changed, you just don't see it."

Do we consider ourselves to be a just and moral person? Do we do what is right or do we do what is right now?

Actions or Words?