Sunday, October 27, 2013

Logic and Language

Exhibit 1:
X: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Y: Does that mean that half an apple a day keeps half the doctor away?!
X&Y: hahaha!

Exhibit 2:
X: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Y: My cousin eats half an apple a day. She stays ill half the time!
X&Y: hahaha!

(...and so on)

What's happening above? The above two exhibits show the interplay of "Logic" and "Language". In these cases, what's essentially happening is that Logic is being brought down to the level of illogic by a fairly logical usage of Language (for the sake of amusement or similar such end). In other words, Logic is being limited, distorted by Language through misuse or even abuse. Now as a side note, I'd like to admit that using Logic for entertainment via Language is a good thing. In fact, I may allow myself to even go as far as to say that there can't be a better form of entertainment. It's an Art (rhetoric), but as it happens, this game of Logic and Language has only ended up becoming a mere toy in the hands of unthinking populace. That's it for the side-note.

Coming back, isn't this what we observe in our day to day interactions: The emphasis on Language, even if it means a compromise on Logic. People use Logic to engage in mere repartee, or when 'debating', they simply fight over semantics, side-lining or completely ignoring the "idea" that the language is supposed to express. It brings to mind the story of a prophet who's pointing his finger to show his followers a path to paradise. But the followers, instead of following the direction at which the prophet's finger is pointing, merely keep focussing on the finger. Language is the finger here.

Now, it is mostly unnecessary to point out here that both Logic and Language are important as is the case with all 'Content and Form' (Logic being the content and Language being the form), but which is 'more important'? The answer is Logic. It's Logic that's above Language and not the reverse. It's also important to understand that Language is only supplemental to Logic and not complemental. Logic stands on it's own even in the absence of Language. Language is just a tool to facilitate our understanding of Logic. So it's crucial that one should try not to lose sight of Logic even in case Language falters or finds itself inadequate to keep up. And that one should always apply his mind to whatever is being said, focussing on the context instead of in what way the idea is being presented. In other words, if we're to put them in the order of importance, "what's" being said should always hold our attention more than "how's" it being said. That, I think, is what makes conversations worthwhile because after all it should be the exchange of ideas (set in logic) and not of words that we're after when we converse.

In conclusion, the interplay of Logic and Language is a fascinating dance, often amusing but with profound implications. While Language serves as the vehicle for expression, Logic stands as the driving force behind meaningful communication. The analogy of followers fixating on the prophet's finger highlights the risk of prioritizing form over substance in our conversations.

It is crucial to recognize that while Language is a valuable tool, Logic reigns supreme in the hierarchy of importance. Conversations gain true value when the focus shifts from how ideas are expressed to the ideas themselves. Let us not lose sight of the essence in the pursuit of linguistic flair. In the symphony of Logic and Language, harmony is achieved when the melody of ideas takes precedence over the cadence of words.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The Romantic


Oh what can I say except...
On one hand, I have a powerful imagination and on the other, a strong talent for falling in love with images.

Oh I don't have words except...
I am a hopeless romantic with nothing to romance really. Until. Occasionally, there comes along someone who fits an image so beautifully.

Oh how can I express it except...
That when it happens, life becomes rosy and fragrant for a while. And then the rose wilts.

Oh what can I say except...
I am a hopeless romantic with nothing and so much to romance.


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I am a Man

I am a Man.
I do what I like.
And I don't like screwing up other people's life.
I respect those who earn my respect by respecting my freedom.
I like to deal with, help those from whom I get "value" in exchange.
Value can be anything that advances me in my life.
It can be money, goodwill, love or respect.
Value cannot be unearned.
Favour is not a value.
So is not power or force.
I do not initiate force.
Not for my advantage, not for any fun.
That should be enough.
That should be ALL you need to be a Man, or Human if you please.

But you impose upon me "duties", "responsibilities", "social contracts", "obligations", "accountability", "answerability", "sacrifices" for things I don't like, don't do and never asked for.
You want me to share your burden and guilts.
The burden that you took upon yourselves.
And the guilt that you did that.
You try to impose upon me your faulty and distorted notions.
You do that all the time and almost always win and get away with it too.
Because you are the majority.
And your notions of Right and Wrong are all inside out.
You rule by force.
You manipulate, sentimentalise everything.
You inflict mental tortures.
When that doesn't help, you cause physical pain.

But being the majority doesn't mean you are right.
It doesn't change what's right, no matter with what righteous and condescending air you lash your whips.
Your ignoring the facts doesn't alter the reality.
And your blindness doesn't blind me.
I see through your whips what you try not to see.
In my book, you are not fit to be called Man.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

My alternative

My alternative? Stop being the part of this system...this democratic farce, this collectivist humbug and just be concerned about what you do. No voting, no movements, no concerns for negative things in which you don't have any direct contribution. Stop watching TV, especially news channel, don't read newspapers. Just and only just...do your work - Honestly, sincerely. If you're a "cause" man, make self-improvement your only cause. There's a lot you can achieve when you channelize your energies and calibre towards this one single cause rather than wasting it in these superficial concerns. Be a hardcore individualist, deal with people you have to deal with with utmost integrity and rationality. Sounds impractical or utopian? You have all the evidence of the so called "practical" and "pragmatic" alternatives scattered all around you. See for yourself, think for yourself and choose accordingly. I have.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

No leaders

Leader, by implication, means there is a sheep herd following him. And since I don't like these "sheep herds", I don't like the concept of the poor straw-men, the use and throw martyrs, they call their leaders. The fact that people need "leaders" (or at least label them that, as unwilling as the poor bastards maybe) for the stupidest of causes and so wasted reasons like telling each other not to kill each other or to kill each other or to not infringe upon the freedom of the next man, next state, next country or to breach the freakin' hell out of it, makes me want no part of it. So, no leaders, no revolutions, no movements, no causes for me. Only individuals - Responsible, with incorruptible integrity and intelligence. Too much to ask I know but I'm not losing hope as yet.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Zombie mentality

People are free to oppose his views, but should refrain from using derogatory language against a well-meaning intellectual person.

People do that exactly because he is a "well-meaning and intellectual person". Because to be well-meaning and to be intellectual these days, is to shake their pathetic comfort levels, to constantly remind them of their flaws. An ugly, deformed person doesn't want you to show him a mirror. And an ugly, deformed, mindless zombie does feed and relish on live "brains", doesn't it?

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Reflection

Either I know you too well and so can tell that you don't know me at all, or, I don't know you at all to tell if you know me too well.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Bringin' them up


Everyone knows "what" is wrong with the world and its people, but if you have little children in your home, how they're being brought up every minute, every day, you'd see more clearly of "why", "how" and "when" it starts. 0-3 years is mostly the age of "whats". And that's where the screwing up starts. It's because people feed all kinds of bullshit to their minds in the name of "whats". So don't do that. Do this instead:-

Feed your children only the facts. Tell them what *is* and not what *you* think it is. When you don't know what it is, tell them you don't know or are not sure what it is and then try to find an answer and be sure. Whatever you do, just don't push your *beliefs and opinions* down their little throats. If you can't find the answer, help them keep the question alive, maybe one day they will find it on their own. Let them find the answers of questions you don't know of, let them build their own knowledge-base based on facts and not on your deeply ingrained whims and fantasies (by your parents); let them form their own opinions and ideas overtime instead of trying your best to hard-code your own into their vulnerable little brains.

Break the cycle of centuries of conditioning and let them get on the path of being the BS-free human beings (superhuman even) they have the potential to become.