Every man should be a philosopher at some point in his life. But the caveat to this statement is that it can be a dangerous to ruminate too long. Rodin's "Thinker" is an example of this. His thoughts have constipated him and forced him into consternation. His brow is furrowed, his muscles tense, his body constricted by his pensivity. This is what can happen when one tries to examine a situation too long or from all angles. There comes a point when philosophizing becomes a hinderance rather than a help. There is a reason why a great deal of pholosophers have either been hermits or gone insane.

Speaking of insane, one of my favorite philosophers was Fredric Nietzsche. At a rather early age, he broke down in a street and started to hug the leg of a horse. He was committed not long after that. Other favorite philosophers of mine are: Schopenhauer, Weber, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Plato, Socrates, Blake, Musil, Descartes, and _________. These men have all led us to the manner in which we view ourselves today. Some of them had groundbreaking ideas, while others built upon existing ideas.

I became interested in philosophy in my freshman year in college when I took a course entitled European Society and Social Thought. I went on tho take a number of courses from one of the most interresting and factastic teachers at UCSD--David Luft. His enthusiasm and ability to share his thoughts without undermining yoiur own thoughs was amazing. I hope he is able to affect the lives of others in the same type of manner that he did my own. I have always been a rather pensive person at times (while completely lacking thought at other times) and with some background am now able to try and piece together my own puzzle.

In order to get good perspective on a situation is to step back and view it as an outsider. This removal is necessary, but also devoids one of direct feelings. Most believe that feelings cloud rational thought, but I believe that there must be some connecting to a situation. Perspective is key to evaluating something. Remove perspective and people can't understand why one thinks the way one does. See, this is why people get frustrated with philosophy. It just seems like a bunch of jibberish and that the writer appears to be coherent. That is why I believe philosophy is best when it is presented orally. Not that it shouldn't be written, just that it's better spoken. See, another problem with philosophy is the great amount of qualifiers. Maybe that is why I don't have the ability to be a philosopher, and also the fact that philosophy doesn't pay and I gots ta live.

Well, if you are interrested in philosophy and/or philosophical debate, please contact me. I'm always up for good discussion. Just make sure to bring an open mind and the ability to smile. As Kahlil Gibran said, "Keep me from the wisdom that does not weep, and the philosophy that does not laugh, and the pride that does not bow its head before a child." As long as one can take a deep breath and laugh after a philosophical dialogue, one can enjoy life rather than see it as a burden. For me, I feel relieved that I don't have to philosophize everyday and be plagued in the same way that the "thinker" has been and eternally will be.

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