Sometimes when I read through the various philosophers for my human nature classes, I wonder "have I really learned anything since I was a little kid?" Sure, now I can tie my shoes and navigate Microsoft Word and understand a good number of Shakespeare references, but have I learned anything?
I guess when I read through the arguments for the nature of the universe and God (and God's existence) I visualize a huge room full of people giving their opinions all at once, not really listening to each other very well (but that's not my point), occasionally I'll chime in with my beliefs as they stand. But have I really learned anything new?
I've felt and experienced new things. I've gotten over fears and prejudices and played for the team I used to root against occasionally. I've gotten more sensitive to how my actions affect other people, but I've always known that my actions affect other people, ever since I was a baby and I'd cry for a bottle (I assume I did this, based on my observation of every other human baby.)
The same arguments are being repeated. Whenever I seem to hear a new argument I like to investigate it and look up the big words I'm hearing for the first time. When I do this it's like I'm pulling the mask off of the Wailing Goblin that's been terrorizing Bloomington and finding out that it's just Old Man Whintey trying to "get at the money that's rightfully his" (if you're lost just forget that last sentence). It seems like it's the same questions that are being asked and argued over.
Sometimes it feels like learning might be as hopeless as finding a new primary color, or, even harder, imagining a new sensory organ.
