Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the
Deep Dive.
Today we're tackling somethingyou've been itching to explore
big philosophical questions.
And don't worry, we're notcracking open dusty textbooks.
We're diving into a sourcecalled 50 Journal Prompts for
those trying to answerphilosophical questions
Lasallian, to get those mentalgears turning.
You know how much we valueefficiency on this show, so
(00:22):
think of this as a highphilosophical journey, hitting
those thought provokinghighlights.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
What's fascinating
about these prompts is that
they're not about finding theright answers.
It's more about the journey ofasking.
Humans have pondered these veryquestions for centuries.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Right, that's like we
go through life making so many
assumptions, but philosophyforces you to hit pause and say
hold on.
What if?
And this source dives rightinto the deep end with questions
about existence itself.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
It does jump right in
.
For example, one prompt askswhat makes you sure that you
exist?
It's a deceptively simplequestion, but it forces us to
examine the very core of ourbeing.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
It reminds me of that
famous line from Descartes.
I think, therefore, I am, butit's not just about
philosophical jargon, is it?
It's about tapping into thatvery human need to understand
our place in the universe.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Exactly, and what's
interesting is that the simple
question has ripple effects.
If we can doubt our ownexistence so easily, what does
that say about how we perceiveeverything else?
Can we ever truly trust oursenses?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Whoa, that takes us
down a whole other rabbit hole.
And speaking of rabbit holes,this next prompt is a doozy.
Can something come from nothing?
I mean, just try wrapping yourhead around that one for a
minute.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
It challenges our
fundamental understanding of
cause and effect, of how theuniverse even came to be.
It's no wonder that thisquestion has intrigued
philosophers and scientists forages.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
It makes you wonder
are we really so different from
those early philosopherspondering these fundamental
mysteries?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Perhaps not.
The search for meaning andunderstanding is timeless, and
these prompts remind us thatwe're part of that ongoing
conversation.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
This next prompt
always gets me thinking.
Do you think animals are awareof their existence like humans
are?
I mean, do our pets look in themirror and think that's me?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
It's an interesting
thought experiment.
Observing animals often makesus reconsider our own perception
of consciousness.
Do they experienceself-awareness in the same way
we do and if so, whatimplications does that have for
how we treat them?
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Those are some heavy
implications.
It reminds us that exploringthese philosophical prompts
isn't just about abstractthinking.
It can have real worldconsequences.
You know, what I appreciateabout this source is that it
weaves in these little nuggetsof wisdom along the way.
One quote that really stood outto me is question everything,
learn something, answer nothing.
(02:41):
What do you make of that?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
I love that quote.
It highlights the beauty of thephilosophical process.
It's not about clinging torigid answers, but embracing the
uncertainty and the journey ofcontinuous learning.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
It's like they're
saying the more you learn, the
more you realize you don't know.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Precisely Each answer
often leads to more questions,
which keeps us engaged andintellectually hungry, and that
thirst for knowledge is whatpropels us forward on our
individual journeys ofunderstanding.
Speaking of understanding, howabout we dive into the next
section of prompts, the oneabout your views on reality?
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Ooh, things are about
to get meta.
I love how this section takesus from pondering our own
existence to questioning thevery fabric of reality itself.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
It's like stepping
through the looking glass.
This section challenges us toquestion our perceptions, our
assumptions about the world andeven the nature of truth itself.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Okay, I'm ready to
jump down this rabbit hole.
What's the first realitybending prompt we've got?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
This one's a classic.
How do you know yourperceptions are real?
It immediately makes me thinkof that iconic scene in the
Matrix with the red pill and theblue pill.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Oh man, that scene
still blows my mind.
It perfectly illustrates howeasily our senses can be
deceived.
It's like what if our brainsare just constructing this
elaborate simulation and feedingit to us as reality?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Exactly, and what's
fascinating is that we don't
need a Hollywood simulation toexperience this.
Think about optical illusions,for example, or how our biases
can shape what we see and hear.
We often perceive what weexpect, not necessarily what's
actually there.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It's like our brains
are constantly trying to make
sense of the world, butsometimes they take shortcuts.
And what if everyone's braintakes slightly different
shortcuts?
Does that mean we're allexperiencing reality in slightly
different ways?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
That's a very
philosophical question, and it
touches on the idea ofsubjective reality.
What if there's no oneobjective truth, but rather a
tapestry of individualperspectives?
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Okay, mind officially
blown, and it makes you wonder
if our perception of reality canbe so easily influenced.
What does that say about ourability to ever truly know
anything for certain?
Speaker 2 (04:45):
It's a humbling
thought, isn't it?
And it highlights theimportance of critical thinking,
of questioning our assumptionsand of being open to the
possibility that ourunderstanding of the world might
be incomplete or even flawed.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
That's a great point.
It's not about becoming cynicalor distrusting everything we
see and hear.
It's about cultivating ahealthy skepticism, a
willingness to approach theworld with an open and
discerning mind.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Precisely Speaking of
approaching the world with an
open mind.
This next prompt takes us evenfurther down the rabbit hole of
alternative possibilities.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Hit me with it.
What kind of mind bendingscenario are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
This one will appeal
to your inner sci-fi fan.
Do you believe in alternaterealities or dimensions?
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Okay, I'll admit I'm
a sucker for a good multiverse
theory, the idea that there arecountless parallel universes out
there, each with its own uniqueset of possibilities it's just
too intriguing to resist.
But is there any actual basisfor this kind of thinking?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
It's fascinating that
you ask that, because this is
where ancient philosophicalpondering starts to intersect
with modern science.
For centuries, philosophershave explored the concept of a
multiverse, and now, withadvancements in fields like
quantum physics, we're beginningto see theories emerge that
suggest it might not be asfar-fetched as we once thought.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
So are you saying
that what was once purely in the
realm of science fiction is nowbecoming a topic of legitimate
scientific inquiry?
Speaker 2 (06:07):
In a way, yes.
Concepts like string theory andthe many worlds interpretation
of quantum mechanics suggest thepossibility of other dimensions
and parallel universes existingalongside our own.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
OK, getting some
serious interstellar vibes here,
but before we get lost in ablack hole of theoretical
physics, you mentioned thatphilosophy has been grappling
with the idea of a multiversefor centuries.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
It has Ancient
philosophers, from the Greeks to
the Hindus, explored theconcept of multiple realities.
It's a testament to theenduring power of these big
questions that they continue toresonate with us, even as our
understanding of the universeevolves.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
It makes you wonder
what other seemingly outlandish
ideas from philosophy mighteventually find their way into
the realm of scientificpossibility.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Exactly, and that's
what makes this exploration so
exciting.
The lines between what we onceconsidered philosophy and
science are becomingincreasingly blurred.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Speaking of blurred
lines, this next prompt really
gets into a tricky concept.
Is time travel possible andwould you want to travel in time
?
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Time travel is a
classic philosophical thought
experiment, isn't it?
It forces us to confront thenature of time itself.
Is it linear as we perceive it,or is it something more fluid
and mysterious?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Right.
And if we could travel throughtime, wouldn't that imply that
the past and future alreadyexist in some way, just waiting
to be accessed?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Exactly.
It challenges our understandingof causality, of free will, of
the very fabric of reality.
And then there's the ethicaldimension.
If we could change the past,should we?
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Whoa, that opens up a
whole other can of
philosophical worms.
It's like that classic paradoxof going back in time and
accidentally preventing your ownbirth.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
It's enough to make
your head spin.
But that's the beauty of thesethought experiments they force
us to confront thesemind-bending possibilities and
consider their implications.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And you know as much
as I love getting lost in these
individual questions aboutreality, I think what's even
more fascinating is theunderlying framework that these
prompts expose us to.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I agree.
It's like we're not justlooking at individual trees, but
at the entire forest ofphilosophical thought.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Okay, I like that
analogy.
So instead of asking, is thisreal, we're asking well, how do
we even define what's real inthe first place?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Exactly Different
philosophical schools of thought
provide different lensesthrough which we can view these
questions about reality.
For example, idealism positsthat reality is ultimately
mental, while materialism arguesthat everything can be reduced
to matter and energy.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
So, depending on
which lens you're looking
through, you might come to acompletely different
understanding of whatconstitutes reality.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Precisely, and that's
why exploring these pomps can
be so enriching.
It's not about finding what aright answer, but about
understanding the diverseperspectives and frameworks that
have shaped philosophicalthought for centuries.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
It's like they say,
the unexamined life is not worth
living.
To truly embrace life, we haveto be willing to examine these
big questions about reality,even if we never arrive at
definitive answers, absolutelyeven if we never arrive at
definitive answers.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Absolutely.
It's the journey of explorationthat matters, the continuous
questioning and the willingnessto expand our understanding.
And, speaking of journeys, itlooks like we're about to enter
a new realm of inquiry with thisnext section.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
You're right, Things
are about to get personal,
aren't they?
Second, three philosophicalquestions on morality.
This is where things tend toget a little more well,
subjective, to say the least.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Absolutely.
Morality is deeply personal,shaped by our values, our
experiences and our culturalupbringing.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
And yet it's
something we all have to grapple
with, right.
Every day, we're faced withchoices that have moral
implications, whether we realizeit or not.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Precisely, and this
section doesn't shy away from
those tough choices.
It dives right into the heartof ethical dilemmas with prompts
like what makes an action rightor wrong?
It's a question that's beendebated for centuries, and it
feels especially relevant intoday's world, wouldn't you say
absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
We live in a time
where ethical boundaries are
constantly being tested andredefined, whether it's in the
realm of technology, socialmedia or even politics it's like
the rules are constantlychanging and it can be tough to
know what the right thing to dois, even when we have the best
of intentions.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Exactly, and that's
where ethical frameworks can be
helpful.
They provide us with guidelinesand principles that can help us
navigate these complex moraldilemmas.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Okay, I love that you
said frameworks.
So it's like, instead of justreacting emotionally to a
situation, we can pause and askourselves okay, what would a
utilitarian do in this situation?
What would a deontologist do?
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Precisely by
understanding these different
ethical frameworks, we canapproach moral dilemmas with
more nuance and clarity.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
For example,
utilitarianism focuses on
maximizing happiness for thegreatest number of people.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Right, exactly.
It's often summed up as thegreatest good for the greatest
number, while deontology, on theother hand, emphasizes the
inherent rightness or wrongnessof actions themselves,
regardless of their consequences.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
So a utilitarian
might argue that it's okay to
tell a white lie if it preventssomeone from getting hurt, while
a deontologist might say thatlying is always wrong,
regardless of the circumstances.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Precisely, and
neither perspective is
inherently right or wrong.
They simply offer differentlenses through which to view
ethical dilemmas.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
It's like having
different tools in your ethical
toolbox you can choose the onethat feels most appropriate for
the situation at hand.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Exactly, and
sometimes just having the
awareness of these differentframeworks can help us to make
more informed and compassionatechoices.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
This next prompt
always sparks debate.
Should everyone have the rightto speak freely?
Now more than ever, we seem tobe grappling with the limits of
free speech, wouldn't you say?
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Absolutely.
It's a complex issue with noeasy answers.
On the one hand, freedom ofspeech is essential for a
democratic society.
It allows for the free exchangeof ideas, which is crucial for
progress and innovation.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
But, on the other
hand, words have power and they
can be used to incite violence,spread misinformation or harm
marginalized communities.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Precisely, and this
prompt challenges us to consider
where we draw the line betweenprotecting free speech and
preventing harm.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
It's a balancing act,
isn't it?
And it's one that requires usto be both thoughtful and
compassionate in our approach.
You know, what I appreciateabout these philosophical
prompts is that they don'tprovide easy answers.
They challenge us to thinkcritically, to question our
assumptions and to engage in arespectful dialogue with those
who hold different views.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Absolutely, and it's
in those moments of discomfort,
when our beliefs are challenged,that we often experience the
most growth.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
It's like that other
great quote dare to think for
yourself.
It's a reminder that trueintellectual freedom comes from
being willing to questioneverything, even our most deeply
held beliefs.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Exactly, and that
brings us to a section that
encourages us to do just thatexploring self and identity.
I love how this section brings,encourages us to do just that
exploring self and identity.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
I love how this
section brings us back to
ourselves, to that fundamentalquestion of who am I?
It's like, after exploring allthese big ideas about reality,
morality and the universe, we'refinally turning the lens inward
and examining our own placewithin it all.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It's an important
shift in perspective, isn't it?
Because, ultimately, all ofthese philosophical questions
are filtered through the lens ofour own individual experiences
and identities.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
And this section
dives right in with that
deceptively simple butincredibly profound question
what makes you you?
If you had to sum up yourentire existence in a single
sentence, what would you say?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Wow, that's a tough
one.
It's a question that's bothdeeply personal and universally
relatable, wouldn't you say,because at our core, we're all
searching for that sense ofidentity, that sense of
belonging, that sense of purpose.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Absolutely, and I
love how this source doesn't
just focus on the internalaspects of identity.
It also encourages us toexamine the external forces that
shape who we are, with promptslike how does culture shape your
identity?
Speaker 2 (13:53):
It's an essential
question because, whether we
realize it or not, culture playsa huge role in shaping our
values, our belief and even oursense of self.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
It's like culture is
the air we breathe.
We don't even realize it'sthere until we step outside of
our own bubble and experiencesomething different.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I love that analogy.
It highlights how pervasiveculture is in shaping our
worldview.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
It's like that quote
we don't know who discovered
water, but we're pretty sure itwasn't a fish.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Exactly.
We're often so immersed in ourown cultural context that we
take them for granted.
But by examining how ourcultures have shaped us, we can
gain a deeper understanding ofwho we are and why we see the
world the way we do.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
And maybe, just maybe
, that self-awareness can help
us to be more open-minded andcompassionate towards those from
different cultural backgrounds.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Absolutely, because,
ultimately, understanding
ourselves is the first steptowards understanding others.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
And isn't that what
this whole philosophical journey
is all about Expanding ourunderstanding of ourselves, the
world around us and our placewithin it all?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Beautifully said, and
this next section takes us even
deeper into the heart of thatinterconnectedness.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Okay, I'm intrigued.
What's the title of this nextsection that's promising such
profound insights?
Speaker 2 (15:02):
It's called
Understanding Human Connection
and I have a feeling it's goingto resonate deeply with our
listeners, especially in today'sworld.
This section really gets to thecore of what it means to be
human.
It explores those invisiblethreads that link us, the
beautiful mess of humaninteraction and the very essence
of love, friendship, evenempathy.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
And they don't dance
around the big questions either.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Right off the bat,
there's this prompt what is love
and why is it important?
We could probably spend a wholeseason unpacking that one,
right?
Speaker 2 (15:31):
We could spend a
lifetime and still only scratch
the surface.
Love is this multifaceted,ever-evolving concept that
philosophers have been wrestlingwith for centuries.
There's no single definition,but I think that's part of its
allure.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
It's like everyone
has their own unique
understanding of love, shaped bytheir own experiences.
Yet no matter how you define it, there's something inherently
human about that yearning forconnection, to give and receive
love in all its forms.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Absolutely, and this
section encourages us to explore
those diverse forms, not justromantic love, but the bonds of
family, the strength we drawfrom community, the quiet joy of
a deep friendship.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
And it also makes us
confront the flip side of that
coin with a prompt like is itpossible to live a solitary life
?
We're social creatures, sure,but could we?
Speaker 2 (16:19):
actually thrive,
completely isolated from others?
It's a question explored in somany stories, isn't it Thoreau
holing up in Walden Pond, orthat more recent film Cast Away?
These narratives often captureboth the appeal and the peril of
solitude.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Right.
There's this romantic notion ofdisconnecting from the world,
living simply, but it comes at acost.
Deep down, we crave that backand forth, the give and take.
That only happens inrelationships.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
Humans are wired for
connection.
It's in our DNA to seek outthose who get us, who challenge
us, who reflect back our ownhumanity.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Which brings us back
to that earlier idea of
friendship as a virtue.
There's a prompt here thatsimply asks what is the value of
friendship?
What are your thoughts on that,both personally and through the
lens of philosophy?
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Personally, my
friendships are invaluable.
They're the source of so muchjoy, support and intellectual
sparring.
From a philosophical standpoint, thinkers like Aristotle saw
friendship as essential for afulfilling life, a key
ingredient in living virtuously.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
I love that you frame
it as a virtue.
It's not something we alwaysconsider, but it makes so much
sense.
A true friend pushes us to bebetter, celebrates our wins and
isn't afraid to call us out whenwe're off track.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Exactly, there's a
beautiful reciprocity in genuine
friendship.
It's about showing up, beingpresent, both celebrating and
supporting each other throughlife's ups and downs.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
It makes me think
about the role of empathy in all
of this.
There's a prompt here that askshow important is empathy in
human relationships and,honestly, it feels more relevant
than ever, especially now whenthe world can feel so divided.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Empathy is crucial
can feel so divided.
Empathy is crucial.
It's that ability to stepoutside ourselves, to truly see
and understand where anotherperson is coming from, even if
we don't agree with them.
It's the foundation forcompassion and meaningful
connection, especially in theface of disagreement.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
It's like.
Without empathy, how can weeven begin to bridge those
divides?
If we can't or won't even tryto see the world through another
person's eyes, how can weexpect to move forward together?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Exactly.
It starts with that willingnessto listen, to understand, to
set aside our own biases, evenmomentarily, to connect with
another human being.
It's a muscle we can all workon and the payoff is enormous.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Couldn't agree more.
Now, before we get too carriedaway with our hopes for a more
empathetic world, there's onelast prompt from this section
that really struck me, which?
One is that this one stopped mein my tracks.
Can you truly understandanother person?
It's both exhilarating and alittle terrifying to think about
, right?
Speaker 2 (18:43):
It is.
On the one hand, we all havethis unique internal world
shaped by our experiences.
In that sense, we're allmysteries to each other, which
is part of what makes connectingso fascinating.
But I also believe that genuineunderstanding is possible.
It requires vulnerability, deeplistening and the courage to go
beyond surface-levelinteractions.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
It's like we may
never fully grasp the entirety
of another person's being, butwe can strive to create a space
where they feel safe enough toshare those depths with us.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Beautifully said, and
in those moments of shared
vulnerability, we catch glimpsesof our shared humanity, which I
think is pretty extraordinary.
Speaking of extraordinary, Ithink it's time we shifted gears
towards our closing thoughts.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Those moments of
shared humanity.
That's what it's all about.
Right, as we wrap up this deepdive into philosophical
questions, I'm realizing it'sless about the answers and more
about the connections we makealong the way.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
I couldn't agree more
.
We've explored some prettyheavy concepts today, from the
nature of reality to thecomplexities of human connection
, and yet I don't know about you, but I feel strangely energized
.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Me too.
It's like our brain's got agood workout, but in the best
way possible.
We flexed those philosophicalmuscles, stretched our
perspectives and, hopefully,walked away with more questions
than we started with.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
And that's precisely
the point.
Philosophy isn't about reachinga final destination.
It's about embracing thejourney of lifelong learning,
that constant questioning andexploration.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
So for our listeners
who are ready to embark on their
own philosophical adventures,what's one thing you hope they
take away from this deep dive?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
If there's one thing
I want to emphasize, it's that
philosophy is for everyone.
It's not just for academics orscholars tucked away in ivory
towers.
It's for anyone who's everlooked up at the stars and felt
a sense of wonder, anyone who'sever questioned their place in
the grand scheme of things.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
I love that you don't
need a fancy degree to engage
these big questions.
We can all be philosophers inour own right, simply by
embracing our curiosity andallowing ourselves to think
deeply about the world around us.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Exactly, and that's
where our source 50 Journal
Prompts for those Trying toAnswer Philosophical Questions,
Lestallion comes in.
It's like a toolbox filled withthought-provoking prompts to
get those philosophical gearsturning.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
And we don't want to
spoil the fun by revealing all
the tools in the box.
So for our listeners who areready to dive in, we have a
little challenge for you.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Head back to that
source and choose one prompt
that speaks to you.
It might be one we discussedtoday, or something else
entirely that sparked yourcuriosity.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Don't overthink it.
Just choose the prompt thatcalls to you and spend some time
journaling on it.
Let those thoughts flow freelyand don't worry about finding
the right answers.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
Think of it as a
conversation with yourself, a
space to explore your own uniqueperspective on these age-old
questions.
You might be surprised by theinsights that bubble up when you
give yourself permission tothink deeply and without
judgment.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
And if you're feeling
brave, share your reflections
with a friend or family member.
Who knows?
You might even inspire them toembark on their own
philosophical deep dive.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
After all, as we've
discovered today, the journey of
exploration is often morerewarding when shared.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Well said and, on
that note, it's time for us to
surface from this particulardeep dive.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
Until next time, keep
those philosophical fires
burning.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
And remember
philosophy begins in wonder.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
And as Socrates
famously said, the unexamined
life is not worth living.
So get out there, examine thoselives, ask those tough
questions and embrace thejourney of lifelong learning.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
We be right here with
you diving deep into the next
intellectual adventure see younext time on the deep dive.