why i have not read a lot of philosophy so far?

i think it has been one of those conscious - sub conscious decisions, the kind that seem to make sense later on in life.

well, here is the thing, i grew up in a home where philosophy was discussed on the dinner table. the nature of truth, why should we be good?, is there a meaning to life? I have always meant to read philosophy someday, but i have never yet undertaken a rigorous course of study, i never went out to get books and read them. i mean in a way i have heard about kant, spinoza, hegel eavesdropping on my nanaji and kakaji talking about these things, but i did not, in any way, go out of my way to learn anything.

and i think there is a reason to that. or atleast i would like to think there is.

you see, if there was a puzzle, would you go and get other people's solutions or will you want to be left alone and solve it on your own?

me?

i would solve it on my own. what's the fun reading other people's solutions? besides you get stuck on their line of thought and are more likely to make the same mistakes. So i want to solve it on my own first and then, i can see what they think so i can decide to what extent i agree or disagree with them, and what is more, feel good about having done it on my own - to whatever extent i get it done.

and that is how it is with philosophy.
what is the purpose of life?
why should we be good?
what is the nature of morality?
are there absolutes in life?
what is the nature of knowledge?
how can we trust we know something for a fact?
what purpose does religion serve?
does morality have to be general or can we each have a subjective right and wrong?
is the idea of a personal god an impossible construct?
etc etc etc


well, i have had some time to think about these things. i have my answers now, sort of :) so now i think i am ready to take on what others think, because now, i know my own mind and, i will not be swayed by swanky words, or big names, thank you very much.

that is the reason that i am glad i waited thirty one years, and now, i am ready for this...so, i plan to get books now and i am looking forward to some engaging discussions, with some of the best minds.

plan to start with Nietzsche :D i don't know why, but i have a hunch, i am not going to like him.... ahhhh! i would love to be wrong this time. it has to do with something i must have heard about him, that has stayed in my subconscious mind, half remembered sorta, coz i have never read him, those kind of opinions are totally baseless, but are also kinda hard to avoid.