I came here as a visiting student in philosophy department, first time studying abroad and half a world away from home. I hope to teach philosophy in the future, for I consider the life of reading and thinking to be most enjoyable.
Inevitably I encounter with some problems here such as reading and writing in English, although I had successfully passed the written and oral tests put by the foundation before I could come here. While most American people think my English is okay as a non-English speaker, using English in philosophy might be a different story. Sounds sad...but I am trying to be better anyway.
Studying philosophy is a frustrating process if you are confident in your intelligence. When faced with many different theories and great philosophers, I for many times almost lost myself. I found them all right, all illuminating, all insightful, while sometimes they are opposite. I think I am far away from finding myself in this pursuit. Sometimes I am willing to become a Christian, but sometimes I prefer the doctrines of Buddhism.
However, most time I would rather to be a happy pagan who respect different kinds of religions. I have my own faith and god, which I am not meant to be a very different or speculative substance, but only one that turns out to be a platitude....Well, that is to love people and to pursue truth. Well it becomes complicated to explain what is love and what is truth and there comes the topic regarding philosophy and life. But not daring to be naive and wrong to say, that is what I hope to do in life.
I made a lot of mistakes in my previous life, and I don't know how many I will continue to make...hope less when I become elder and more mature...
I read a lot about the Neo-Confucianism in the Ming and Qing Dynasty of China, and don't know how to translate them into English...The same situation with Buddhism.
I hope to learn more.
I very much hope you continue your philosophical studies. The profession needs people like you.
ReplyDeleteLily,
ReplyDeleteKeep at it. You seem to have an earnestness to know what life is all about, and where philosophical study finds its place in that pursiut. I also appreciate the way questions of god, religion, love, and philosophy all seem to flow naturally together for you. Too many people try to keep these things utterly separate!