The Ivory Tower

The World Today

Kyran Luhrs — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:19:02 +0000

What do you think is wrong with the world today? Is it greed? Is it gluttony? Is it pride? Look around you. What is it that you see? I will tell you what I see… I see ignorance. I think ignorance is what is to blame for the problems of the world. It is the ignorance in thinking that you are right, that what you think is without flaw. That what you think is one-hundred percent right and everyone who disagrees is wrong. It is the arrogance of your opinion. And the ignorance of other opinions. This is what is wrong with the world today. You keep shouting your own opinion, that you are deaf to the other opinions around you. The world has turned into a screaming match between 6.3 billon people. So what is to be done? What can be done? I’ll tell you. It’s simple really. Listen. Stop, even for a second, and listen to someone who does not share your point of view. They may teach you something. Let them speak, and no matter how much you disagree, keep your mouth shut. Just listen. Think. After they have said their peace, think about it. Ask yourself, “Why?” “Why does this person not share my view?” Think about what they said, think hard and long about it. Sure, it may have some flaws, some things that don’t seem to fit. Some generalizations or some assumptions. Does this mean that they are wrong? Does it? I’ll let you in on a little secret. So does your own opinion. You make generalizations, assumptions, and excuses. That’s what an opinion is. What’s scary is that their opinion is just as right as yours. And just as wrong. Once you understand this, you see that the world is not just black and white. Not just right and wrong. So please, listen. Please think.

Kyran Luhrs, Founder of The Ivory Tower

Human Kind

Kyran Luhrs — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:50:29 +0000

Humans are an interesting species. We fight among each other, we destroy our only home, and we are extremely arrogant.

But, I think we have potential. For when all of the fighting, arrogant people bind together, you get something that is more than human.

When people are united by one cause or purpose, nothing can stop them. I think this is our hidden strength.

This is our saving grace, because, once in awhile, an idea or cause that is good for the human race is picked up by the masses.

And the masses change the world.

I do not think that one man can change the world.

But one man’s idea can.

Kyran Luhrs, Founder of The Ivory Tower

I want to change the world

Kyran Luhrs — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:50:30 +0000

I want to change the world.

Why? Well, for the betterment of human kind. I think we have great potential, we just need to realize it.

How? Though the power of thought. Ideas are what change this world. Thought is what improves on the old.

I am talking about the power of philosophy.

But I cannot do it alone.

I need help.

I need people who believe that the world can be changed.

I need people who believe that the power of one good idea can change history.

I need people who understand what it is to think, to discuss

I need people with great wisdom and understanding.

I need philosophers, scientists, preachers, teachers, and anyone who will listen and who will learn.

I want to change the world.

I need to change the world.

But I cannot do it alone.

Will you help me?

What is truth?

Kyran Luhrs — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:07:13 +0000

What is the nature of truth?

We use the word so much, but does anyone really know what it means?

Is it fact? Well, then what is fact? If it is what I can see, touch, taste, and hear, then things like x-rays and atoms where not ‘true’ until very recently.

Is it just agreed apon ideas? Then truth can change with society and it is not the concreate base we like to think it is.

Is it something more than we humans can comprehend? Then why do we use the word in every day conversation?

Please, post your thoughts on the subject, I am very curious of what you think.

–Kyran Luhrs, Founder of the Ivory Tower

On Philosophy

Kyran Luhrs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:47:09 +0000

phi·los·o·phy

// (f-ls-f)

n. pl. phi·los·o·phies

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.

4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.

6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.

8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

We all practice philosophy everyday. Every single time you make up your mind on some subject, you and practicing philosophy. Every time you vote, you practice philosophy. Every time you think, you practice philosophy. Yet, the art of philosophy is disappearing. Can you defend your beliefs? Do you have support for them? Or have you just taken the information that was spit out to you by the people around you at face value?

Think about it. What are your views on life? What do you believe? What is your rock upon which your entire thought process operates? What is YOUR philosophy?

Once you think of it, please, talk to someone who does not share that philosophy. If you put your support in God, talk to an atheist. If you are pro-choice, talk to a pro-lifer. If you think the world is round, find someone who disagrees. And when I say talk, I really mean listen to them. Why do they hold that opinion? No matter how sure you are of what you believe, there exists someone who thinks you are wrong. Why?

Why does someone believe in God? Why does someone believe that there is no God? One of these beliefs must be the true one, right?

Well, why do you think that you have the right answer?

I ask this question, not because I want to start a flame-war, not because I want to tell people that they are right or wrong, but because I want to get people to think about what right and wrong is.

You see, I have no true beliefs. I can argue any side of an argument, and not lose.

No, I am not saying I am smarter than everybody else, nor am I claiming that I can win any argument that is presented.

What I am saying is that there are flaws in every belief.

The atheist and the believer are both just as right as the other, for both types of beliefs have flaws that even the smartest human cannot possibly solve.

Yet… people seem to not know this. And that is whats wrong with the world today.

No one listens to the other side anymore. People just blindly shout the same information over and over, never taking time to listen to responses. No ones stops and questions what they believe. Questioning is not something to be afraid of, nor is it a sign of weakness. it is something that if used correctly, can strengthen a belief.

So this is what I want you to do.

If you believe in God, try to dis-prove his existence.

If you don’t believe in God, try to prove that he exists.

If you think homosexuals should not marry, come up with reasons that they should.

If you think that they should marry, try to come up with reasons that they shouldn’t.

If you think that you are right, try to figure out why you are wrong.

If you can’t, if you cannot find any reason or fact or idea of why you may be wrong, then you are ignorant.

Not to be offensive, but you are.

If there were no reasons for the other side, where did the other side come from?

And if you need help, talk to the other side.

Ask them why they are right.

Ask them why you are wrong.

And they will give you plenty of reasons.

Take those reasons, and research them. Do a little work, take a little time to learn about the other side.

If you do, I guarantee you will lean a little something. Maybe even start to see their side.

A person who is enlightened is not the one who has all the answers,

the are the ones with all the questions.

–Kyran Luhrs, Founder of The Ivory Tower

The Ivory Tower

Kyran Luhrs — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:49:05 +0000

Well, here it is. The first tentative step in The Ivory Tower’s hopefully long existence. What is The Ivory Tower, you ask? Well, it is a group of philosophers who feel that the art of philosophy is slowly dieing, slowly becoming nothing more than a foot note in a history book. We cannot allow this to happen, for philosophy is much more than old men arguing about God. It is the search for truth, understanding, enlightenment. It is the art of justifying your beliefs, the art of changing your beliefs, and the art of defending your beliefs. I have found that a very, very small number of people alive today can do these things, and that I think is wrong with the world today. So, we will use this blog to start spreading the art of philosophy, to find the modern day Socrateses and Platos. To help humanity rise up out of the rut of ignorance that we find ourselves in, and start another great age of thought and reason. So please, if you will, check back once in a while, or follow us on the soon-to-be twitter page, and help spread thought, understanding, wisdom, and discussion.

-Kyran Luhrs, Founder of The Ivory Tower