In response to OP- I think the only thing that I can say with regards to his post is that I slightly disagree with his statement that all philosophical speculation is useless. Yes, philosophers haven't come up with the cure for cancer or anything like that, but I think that philosophy (in mainly its original, Ancient Greek derived form) is useful as a way of thinking about how to think about the world. It doesn't come up with the answers, but we are a species full of questions- many of which we won't resolve, but philosophy at its best drives the engine of questioning and rationality. It's no coincidence that many of the Ancient Greek philosophers were also scientists.
Luke: You don't believe in the Force, do you?
Han Solo: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other, and I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen *anything* to make me believe that there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. 'Cause no mystical energy field controls *my* destiny. It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
Han Solo: Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other, and I've seen a lot of strange stuff, but I've never seen *anything* to make me believe that there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. 'Cause no mystical energy field controls *my* destiny. It's all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
