User:PeteLewis62

I took an interest in philosophy quite late in life and I now try to follow a life of Stoic Philosophy for what I see as its simplicity and practicality. I also enjoy studying the works of Aristotle.

Aristotle (especially his logic and ethics) and Zeno (founder of Stoicism) have inspired me to rethink my existence and in many ways to approach life in a manner that would not be usual for someone like myself, having grown up in a 1960's/70's South Wales coal mining valley.

It is only when we act that our thoughts become deeds, just like designs become products through labour. In that respect, I have come to realise that acting with reason is as much a part of our life's 'work' as any trade or profession is. Putting reasoned thought into action to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion or 'product' is what we tend to be good at.

Moving on, I have a conundrum that others wiser than myself might be able to help me with; I long ago coined a phrase that goes like this...

"If people spent as much time correcting their own faults as they do finding faults in others, the world would be a better place."

For many years, I have thought it made good sense until today, when - out of the blue - I suddenly realised that it is a hypocritical statement that falls foul of the very same criticism or condemnation that it directs towards other people; the statement itself finds fault in people (myself included) - a 'vice' of its own description...!

How can we recognise faults in others without admitting faults in ourselves - and how can we express 'moral' opinions without implicating our own behaviour in doing so? The only answer I can come up with is that I should not have been thinking it in the first place.

As you can see, I have much to learn.