Suixuan

标签：freedom

  • Predetermination as Vast as the Sea, Freedom as Small as a Boat

    Philosophy & Thought

    Predetermination as Vast as the Sea, Freedom as Small as a Boat

    For some reason, this sentence suddenly came to mind. “Predestination is like the sea, freedom like a small boat.” — This saying comes from Islamic doctrine. There was a period when I was quite fascinated by Islam—though of course I still retain a strong interest in it now. But as for its doctrines and tenets, I know very little; the only line I can really recite from memory is probably this one. Yet these ten characters already capture the relation between freedom and constraint very aptly, and with considerable depth. On the question of “fate,” this sentence can be understood in two ways: one is pessimistic—no matter how “apparently” free…

    philosophyfreedompluralismIslam
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  • Jonathan Livingston Seagull

    Culture & Public Commentary

    Jonathan Livingston Seagull

    [U.S.] Richard Bach: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, translated by Guo Hui, Nanhai Publishing Company, April 2004 I first heard about this book in The Tree of Philosophy. In The Tree of Philosophy, it was not merely “mentioned” that seagull Jonathan existed; rather, nearly an entire class period was spent discussing it—as the introduction to the section on “philosophy of science.” The Tree of Philosophy provides countless excellent reference books as post-class reading, yet the only one assigned as a classroom task and directly discussed in class was this marvelous literary work. Freedom, pursuit, mind, wings, infinity… As for literary works, I am not very fond of writing analysis or criticism, nor…

    philosophybook readingnotesfreedom
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  • On Looking Down from on High

    Life & Notes

    On Looking Down from on High

    Recently I’ve been thinking a lot: sometimes even I can’t stand myself. But there’s nothing to be done about it. Three or five years ago, many of my ideas were, one should say, about the same as those of ordinary people in society. And I myself have been growing; looking back now, some of the things I used to think really were childish. But the worse luck is that I’ll keep on growing. So my growth has practically become a symbol of the widening gap between my thinking and that of ordinary people, meaning that the depth of my thought will never again be able to return to the level…

    philosophyeveryday lifefreedompluralism
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