sometimes i think what i think i think, i think...i think...errr...

I read this philosophy book called "Do you think what you think you think?" It was written by a couple of atheists. I kind of liked some of the book, it was interesting. I got bored and just read through it without doing all the little "tests" that determine if I have tension in my ways of thinking, or if I contradict myself, or if I'm dumb. Here's what I learned before I got kinda bored.


I'm either an incredibly subtle thinker or a mass of contradictions!
-and-
I am so logical that people tend to stare at my ears and call me Dr. Spock. (I aced that test)
-and-
I'm no fool, but I really need to pay more attention! I should try omega-3 oils.
-and-
My blueprint for God is a logical mess. Maybe I should consider becoming a mystic.
-and-
My ideas about God and religion are not clear and consistent enough for their liking, but I seem redeemable.

I wasn't offended by the way the writers think or present ideas, but at times I felt like the way the options in these exercises were worded kind of trapped people who believe in God. Not always, but sometimes. Also, I didn't always agree with either choice, but to get an "accurate" result all questions had to be answered and some of it was just weird and I kinda felt forced into thinking in a way that I never would in the real world. Which I guess isn't always bad, but I hope I'll never be in a country or religion where I have to decide (or care) if its ok for people to have intercourse with frozen poultry. And I assure you I'll never eat my pet cat. (Read the book if you're intrigued, or accept my apology if you're offended.)

I understand that the point of these exercises is to open up my thinking. And I realize that it would be pointless to think the unthinkable if I never allowed for the possibility that the unthinkable might sometimes be true.

The writers do make a good observation or analysis about Wittenstein who said that philosophy leaves the world as it is. While the meaning of this statement is not obvious, the writers say he could be suggesting that the main purpose of probing our ideas and values ever deeper is not to change them but to understand them. Interesting.

I like philosophy (even though I don't know much) and I like the way some atheists think. Sam Harris ("The End of Faith" and "Letter to a Christian Nation" ) is a really smart man. But, I still have a healthy amount of faith, and I still believe in God. Maybe book reports on Sam Harris' books will come later. I'm reading alot these days, actually nights.