#Philosopher's path

[my-plastic-life]

The beautiful sakura (Japanese cherry blossoms) have bloomed! There are viewing areas all over Japan every spring for this gorgeous occasion. Shops sell sakura-themed items ranging from food to clothes, and there are even boat tours you can take to view the trees. Kiku enjoys partaking in hanami "flower viewing" every year. This year, she managed to get a boat tour at Chidorigafuchi Moat, one of the most popular viewing spots. She's also enjoying walking along the Okazaki Canal and Philosopher's Path trails while savoring some sakura-flavored treats.

Taking a boat ride at Chidorigafuchi Moat:

Enjoying sakura-flavored dango while walking along the Okazaki Canal:

Enjoying a sakura-themed drink from Starbucks while walking along the Philosopher's Path - and meeting a friend!

[unopenablebox]

periodically my brother wanders into my texts to try to explain his theory of reality to me. his theory is that human experience and love are fundamental to the universe and the most real thing, more real than physics, and in fact they create physics— until i reply to ask clarifying questions about this theory or describe my arguments against it, in which case it shifts to be only a claim about human society only for the duration of the next three texts before going back. when i eventually point out that these don't agree with each other he says that's because actually the true idea is inexpressible and this is just its nature. then i ask why he thinks it will work to communicate an inexpressible idea that requires inconsistency over the span of a conversation, and why, if he's trying to do that, he opened by trying to claim that science is wrong because it claims human emotions are an identical time-invariant experience for everyone over their lifespan and then abandoned that claim as soon as i pointed out that science absolutely doesn't say that even a little. then he says actually the idea is His Whole Self and then stops texting me back

i realize i should just stop before the first step where i respond but i want to talk to my brother! and i want to show him the respect of actually trying to engage with things he says to me! and none of this bothers me enough to not want to do those things! but also, christ

[dvktheartist]

Balder, the Golden One

"He walked unharmed through every trial, yet the weight of fate still found him."

As a full time artist, all your support means a lot! You can also follow and see more of my art here: x.com/DVKtheartist & here dvktheartist.xyz

[age-of-moonknight]

“8-Ball,” Vengeance of the Moon Knight (Vol. 2/2024), #5.

Writer: Jed MacKay; Penciler and Inker: Alessandro Cappuccio; Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg; Letterer: Cory Petit

[feral-violet]

[a-contemplative-soul]

“Sometimes the chaos of society distances us from our true path”

Author: me

[unfoldingmoments]

Philosophy vs. Psychology & Neuroscience: Which Path Draws Us Closer to God?

Both philosophy and psychology/neuroscience aim to understand reality, human nature, and our place in the world—but they take fundamentally different approaches. The question is: which one leads us closer to God?

Philosophy: The Search for Ultimate Truth

Philosophy has long been a tool for contemplating the nature of existence, morality, and the divine. Thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas used reason to explore the concept of God.

1. Endless Questions Lead to Humility

• Philosophy forces us to ask: Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? What is truth? These questions often expose the limits of human understanding, which can lead to a sense of humility—an important step toward seeking God.

• Many philosophers conclude that reason alone is not enough to grasp the full nature of existence, leading them to faith. For example, Aquinas used philosophy to argue for God’s existence but recognized that faith was necessary to go beyond reason’s limits.

2. The Idea of a Necessary Being

• Metaphysical reasoning often leads to the idea of a First Cause or Necessary Being (God). For example, the Cosmological Argument suggests that everything that exists must have a cause, and tracing this back leads to an ultimate, uncaused cause—God.

• Moral philosophy also points to an objective moral law, which implies a moral lawgiver beyond human subjectivity.

3. Faith Completes What Reason Cannot Fully Grasp

• While philosophy allows us to rationally explore God’s existence, it also reveals that human reason has limits. This can encourage a deeper reliance on faith and divine revelation.

In this sense, philosophy creates a space for contemplation that often leads one closer to God by acknowledging the mystery and transcendence of divine truth.

Psychology & Neuroscience: Understanding the Human Mind

Psychology and neuroscience, on the other hand, focus on human behavior, emotions, and cognition. They seek to understand how we think, feel, and act, often reducing human experience to biological processes.

1. The Temptation to Reduce the Soul to the Brain

• Neuroscience explains love, faith, and morality in terms of brain chemistry and neural activity. While this can be fascinating, it sometimes leads to a purely materialistic view of reality, where everything is just brain function, leaving little room for the soul or spirituality.

• If consciousness is seen as nothing more than electrical impulses, one might conclude that free will, morality, and even belief in God are just neurological byproducts—undermining the spiritual aspect of existence.

2. The Desire to Control or ‘Hack’ Human Nature

• Advances in psychology and neuroscience have given rise to concepts like “brain hacking” and neuroplasticity, which allow individuals to rewire their thought patterns, emotions, and even beliefs.

• While this can be used for good (e.g., overcoming trauma, improving mental health), it can also create the illusion of ultimate control—that humans can shape themselves into anything, even their own gods.

• This temptation echoes the ancient desire in Genesis 3:5: “You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” If humans believe they can fully manipulate and master their own nature, they may no longer see the need for God.

3. Can Neuroscience & Psychology Lead to God?

• While some use neuroscience to dismiss God, others see it as a window into divine design. The complexity of the human mind, the fine-tuned nature of consciousness, and the beauty of emotions and morality could all point to intelligent design rather than randomness.

• Certain areas of psychology (e.g., Carl Jung’s work on archetypes and the collective unconscious) suggest there is a deep, universal longing for meaning and transcendence—something that could reflect humanity’s innate search for God.

Final Thought: Which Path Leads Closer to God?

• Philosophy fosters a humble search for ultimate truth and naturally points beyond itself to God. It acknowledges the limits of reason and the necessity of faith.

• Psychology & Neuroscience offer deep insights into human nature but also carry the risk of reducing spirituality to mere brain activity, tempting humans to see themselves as their own gods.

Ultimately, philosophy seems more likely to lead one toward God, as it embraces mystery and recognizes the need for something beyond human intellect. Psychology and neuroscience, while valuable, can sometimes lead people away from faith by promoting self-sufficiency over dependence on the divine.

[deathandthesoul]

My chronicle is technically 5th edition although I Frankenstein lore and other stuff that I enjoy from previous editions into it. But for Sabbat Paths (Cathari and Death and the Soul specifically), I use the 5th edition versions, which are very different from their previous iterations. These are short summaries from the official VtM 5th edition wiki

[nerdyqueerr]

Struggling to write a concise 500 word article abt the book arts society when what I actually want to do is compose some very poetic essay based off of the 30 minute convo I had with the master printer

[herrscherofmagic]

Tell me about Eden x Mobius

sure thing!

though as a disclaimer, I don't know 100% of the canon content between Mobius and Eden, since there are some Elysian Realm dialogues that are still locked for me, and I haven't taken the time to try and unlock them x-x

There's two interactions between Eden and Mobius that really stand out to me, since it seems to show a level of trust they have in each other.

Honestly even just those two interactions have so much for me to talk about, so buckle up! cause this is gonna a long post >.>

First was the conversation they had shortly after Eden's MANTIS surgery!

This takes place after Eden's MANTIS surgery, and Eden was described as being in pretty poor shape, both mentally and physically. Yet despite Eden being in a bad condition and needing rest, she was taking the time to be with Dr. Mobius one-on-one, and they ended up having that conversation.

Keep in mind that this is the same Dr. Mobius that most people in Fire Moth avoided as much as they could. She's probably one of the most hated figures in that organization, but Eden willingly took the MANTIS surgery and spent more time with Dr. Mobius afterwards.

And that's not even getting into the actual substance of the conversation where they talk about "beauty". Like how Mobius seems to ask Eden about beauty in earnest, not like some flippant small-talk.

Eden gives a sorta generic response, but it's faithful to her ideals because everything she did in Fire Moth was because she wanted to inspire people and give them hope in the face of hopeless. And this is after even she herself experienced an unimaginable tragedy.

Then Eden returned the question to Mobius, and Mobius actually gave a thought-out answer of her own. I also really love Mobius' answer, and the way that she even gives Eden a smile. They have quite different views on the idea of "beauty", but they seem to have that mutual respect for each other.

The other big interaction was Eden's final song, when she declined Mobius' pleas (yes, Mobius was pleading with Eden to come back) to go back to the cryopods and be one of the Pioneers in the next era.

Again, the respect they have for each other is utterly fascinating to me.

I know that sounds funny seeing as how Dr. Mobius (at least according to this entry) thinks of Eden's music as "glorified noise", but we need to consider that Dr. Mobius is quite literally 'built different' than a normal person.

Mobius pretty much always had difficult and unstable relationships with people her whole life. She literally came out of the womb capable of speaking (which is pretty absurd even by Honkai standards, ngl) and she ended up enduring abuse as a child.

Mobius has a strong personal ambition of pursuing the evolution of the human race, she frequently butts heads with her near-peers, and she's feared and disliked by many.

Mobius plays an incredibly important role in Fire Moth but she has to deal with unsteady funding from the higher-ups, and she's eventually supplanted by Dr. MEI- the very person she recruited into MOTH in the first place.

Mobius coped with the death of Klein (who might've been her only close friend) by making a mini robot-Klein, for crying out loud!

So to see Mobius, someone so fiercely independent and ambitious, volunteering to go to Eden and asking her repeatedly to reconsider her actions, even making an appeal to Eden's emotions?

It shows that Eden is probably one of few people that Mobius truly respects, at least in a sense of comradery (as opposed to respect out of fear).

Another thing is that this ER entry is written from Mobius' perspective, so we don't quite know Eden's thoughts on the matter. That means it's a bit ambiguous as to whether Eden is singing for Mobius, or for some other reason. But regardless of why Eden sang... it seems like she managed to break through to even someone as cold as Mobius and inspired her.

So while there's obviously not much of a strong basis in canon to ship these two, there's certainly a strong basis that shows that at least Mobius seemed to care about Eden, and that Eden showed some level of respect in turn.

I really want to explore this dynamic more in fanfic and fanart for that reason. The canon portrayals of Mobius and Eden were pretty much entirely shaped by the apocalyptic circumstances of their world, but fan content often explores other possibilities and scenarios.

There is so much potential for a deeper relationship between these two, not just in a romantic sense but from an intellectual and philosophical perspective.

I have an HSR AU with these two in mind for this very reason, since that setting has so many opportunities for interesting dynamics when it comes to both science and faith, thanks to the nature of Aeons and Paths.

But that's a rant for another time cause this post has already gotten far too long, lol

[Editing this post to add an important detail: when I talk about shipping Mobius with any adult character, I'm referring to adult Mobius and ONLY adult Mobius.

I have no problem with the whole lore behind her "de-aging" due to the MANTIS surgery, and I think it's actually kinda cool. But I have no interest in depicting Mobius in a relationship in her "child appearance" regardless of her actual age.

Like in an AU without the MANTIS surgery and de-aging, I'd write about and/or draw Mobius as an adult if she were in any sort of relationship. If I ever write about and/or draw Mobius in her child form (aka how she appears when playable), then I'd completely avoid any elements of shipping and adult relationships.

I feel like my comments about shipping Mobius with Eden might be interpreted the wrong way without this note, which is why I've added it here. It didn't even occur to me, but I'm paranoid as hell about people misunderstanding me, so I want to make it as explicit as I possibly can]

[nuo2x2]

Mai Zenin Acrylic Keychain Shodo Manufacturer: ???

not even sure if that’s even a licensed acrylic keychain, but meh… needed more, MORE collectibles of her!!! muhahahahahaw!!! and yee, this is a cute one, of her doing a Shodo or Japanese Calligraphy in that cute stance that I believed will never happen from her ^^'

ahem, anyway, continuing that weird series… bringing her to my fav childhood playground, that just recently I noticed they got an English name for this area, which is Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path, lmao!!! IDK,I just knew this place as an area where I spend most of my time to play or getting a me time during my childhood (yee, I already weird as a kid). in the family, we called it tetsugaki no michi, and usually they say I will be in this area in late afternoon, think of an NPC location in any RPG, haha!

during last decade, it’s getting harder and harder for me to visit this area, since most of the time, it’s PACKED with tourists,

 especially before the covid pandemic, this area been like one of the most famous area for any tour or just tourists in general, rarely had a chance to enjoy it as I used to during my childhood.. then again, during my last visit after the pandemic, it turns out the area been kinda emptier and not swarmed by tourist as it used to be… I badly got a mixed feeling about this.. on one side, I got some alone+quite time again in this area, but on the other, it just showed the effect of pandemic to Kyoto’s tourism, sigh

bringing her back 2/5

[alephskoteinos]

Getting off on the tragedy of life itself, so as to embrace life itself. The highest way to do so. It's better than "the meaning of life". Even up to the primordial violence of creation, and the inability to go back, only forwards and then back. Epistrophe must be lycanthropy.

[eternalflashh]

thoughts slash word vomit about sparkle // hsr 2.2 spoilers

i do overthink, but i genuinely keep wondering there's more to sparkle's role in the penacony arc (cf. her character, although there being more to her role would have to correlate to there being more to her character/personal motivations).

in all fairness i am all for her simply being a menace and looking for chaos, as aha themself seems to operate, and having no other ulterior motive; though it would be unconventional, it would be very true to her character were she to simply be "meaningless" in her role in this arc, aka a red herring—there only to incite suspicion when there was no harm, only fun, to begin with. it would be in line with her beliefs; it would be like sampo in belobog, not worth much with respect to the story and motives not so clear to the end. and i could get by that reality, because it does reflect her identity as a masked fool.

maybe it's really just because i'm used to conventional narratives that i find it hard to believe she has no other role than to be a little silly. "no useless characters", and whatnot.

to be fair, it's not like i think she might have a secret motive because "she's secretly kind and just wants everyone to be happy". she's terrible and immoral and that is what makes her a good villain (to me, if to no one else); she doesn't show sympathy towards "death" (although, maybe she's always known the truth? wouldn't be out of the question), nor is she hesitant in mocking people for their grievances, even race.

that doesn't mean she doesn't have a philosophy, though, and it's that philosophy that begets actions. thus far, too, it's clear she does have reason and ambition—she is far from the "meaningless" masked fools are often described in. we know she's passionate about acting and amusement. she also talks about working "behind the scenes", even mentions that her reason for being there has to be aligned with aha's reasons for sending her. laughter and amusement is not nihilism. as for what she'd do to get that Laughter?

data bank and SU index say that the elation would do anything, often invoking chaos or massive change, to bring joy and laughter to the world. in which case, the actions she is doing must revolve around making a huge change. yet she has done so little—of what we can see, anyway; she pushes us into the real dreamscape, yes, and she's been suggesting things to aventurine. was this her simple role, to be the imperceptible catalyst to change and destruction? then why does she keep appearing, still, with these mutually assured destruction buttons, when we hardly see them used either? or are they used, but we just did not see them? is her role in this arc, too, going to be something purely behind-the-scenes, something we'd never come to witness?

and then, on the deeper note: is the amusement watching the dream collapse, or is it something more inherent than that, more "noble", per se—like, say, spreading true elation? this may sound quite ironic considering people seem to be happy in the dreamscape, yet sparkle's going about revealing unhappy truths hidden in the dreamscape. but perhaps, does she believe true joy can only be obtained beyond the confines of a dream—in life?

it's a reach, i admit. but something else has been mildly bothering me that has led me to entertain this idea: sparkle's powers emanate from the Harmony. first i only thought it mildly interesting because penacony is governed by the family, and it was a nice coincidence. but in the 2.2 mission we got a new path for our trailblazer, after confronting sunday's ideals and being glanced upon by none other than xipe themselves. the power of paths said to be based on recognition, so it would imply that xipe recognized sparkle's beliefs— that it resonated with harmony. which i initially thought ironic, because followers of the elation typically are characterized by chaos.

but whereas chaos is the antithesis of order, it is not so the antithesis of harmony per se; in fact, you could interpret harmony as peaceful coexistence of differences (whereas, like sunday's ideals, order seems to be concerned with everyone believing in one structure, following Laws, rather than freedom amongst difference.) i'd think sparkle, too, respects that people live varying different lives (a thousand faces, etc); that she wouldn't want humanity's free will to be taken away, because it is against true Elation as she defines it. again, all conjecture, little evidence, just food for thought.

tl;dr: it bothers me— what she's really been doing (if she's doing anything substantial for the plot), the why's, what she really believes in... why she knows so much, says less than she can, why she keeps appearing (especially in this patch) with seemingly little reason.

and also: in the cutscene with a bunch of them, sparkle was lying down on the ground. WHY

i also wonder what the answer is if you'd chosen the fact about sparkle when we're unveiling that the first "ending" was a dream. whether it would tell you that's the flaw. because i chose the misha one and it immediately said that's the flaw. so i can't tell if there's only one right option or all of them would be correct. i'll search it up eventually! i'm Too Curious!

can't believe now i have to wait six weeks for another update that mAY NOT ANSWER MY QUESTIONS i genuinely hate this game.

[conscious-pisces]

“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.”

—Aristotle

[13thpythagoras]

perhaps grief borrowed from the future can yield some delayed joy after they depart, after loss there is joy in the grief, and yet grief in the joy, so don't beat yourself up over passing feelings but do bask in their light 🙌

Oh ok so it turns out ive been borrowing grief from the future ! it turns out ive been preparing to lose the things i love rather than basking in the light of them while they last. Maybe i should nt do that

[tatjanatet]

## Love, Honor, and Impossibility: A Philosophical Analysis of the Series "Şeref Meselesi"

### Introduction

"Şeref Meselesi" is not just a crime story. It is a deeply emotional drama where destinies, emotions, and moral dilemmas intersect. While the plot revolves around the theme of revenge, at its core lies a love that brings not salvation, but destruction. In this context, the series can be interpreted through the lens of Aşık Veysel's philosophy of love and director Altan Dönmez's artistic vision. Both artists, in their respective eras and forms, describe love as a form of pain and a belated inner awakening.

> Altan Dönmez: "If you never unite, then it becomes love. That’s how our loves are a bit."

### Aşık Veysel and the Philosophy of Impossible Love

Aşık Veysel (1894–1973), a blind folk poet and philosopher, saw love not as romantic fulfillment but as a path of spiritual purification through pain. For him, love did not have to be mutual to be real:

> "You love, but cannot show it, cannot say it — you suffer through love."

According to Veysel, love gains depth precisely because it is impossible. Unshared feelings become eternal. This idea resonates with the character Kübra in the series.

### Kübra — A Tragic, Impossible Love

Kübra is the daughter of an enemy, the woman Yiğit uses in his revenge. Although he falls in love with her, he deceives her. Eventually, Kübra becomes the mother of his child. To protect her daughter, she is forced to marry Yiğit’s brother, Emir. It’s not a choice; it’s a necessity.

Why Kübra represents impossible love:

* Yiğit deceived her, and Kübra can no longer trust him. * She chose motherhood and responsibility over romance. * Yiğit realized his love too late — there was no way back.

> Kübra is a love that existed but could never be. She is the embodiment of pain, truth, and loss.

### Sibel — Illusion, Not Love

Sibel initially appears as Kübra’s friend. She later secretly dates Emir and hides it from Yiğit. Then she gets involved with Yiğit. Her actions stem from jealousy and selfishness. Sibel actively prevents the reconciliation of Yiğit and Kübra, destroying the last bridge between them.

Why Sibel does not represent true love:

* Her feelings are rooted in betrayal and pain. * She acts out of a desire to possess, not out of sacrifice. * Her presence signifies Yiğit’s mistake, not his heart.

### Yiğit’s Psychology: Between Honor and Emotion

Yiğit is not a flawless hero. He is weak, stubborn, and full of internal conflict. His journey is a self-destructive path that ultimately teaches him what truly matters — but only after losing everything.

> His love is not the one who stays, but the one he lost. > His honor is not what he protected, but what he betrayed.

According to Veysel, love purifies through pain but never returns. Yiğit, too, reaches truth — but far too late.

### Symbolism Table

| Character | Role in Yiğit's Life            | Symbolism According to Veysel and Dönmez | | --------- | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | Kübra     | True love, victim, mother       | Pain, purification, impossibility        | | Sibel     | Illusion, mistake, seduction    | Desire, destruction, jealousy            | | Elif      | Child, fruit of love and sorrow | Innocence, atonement, meaning            |

### General Impression

"Şeref Meselesi" avoids simplistic clichés. It tells the story of how revenge destroys love and how truth arrives only when no one expects it anymore. There is no black or white here — only consequences of choices. In this sense, the series aligns with Veysel’s poetics, defining love not as salvation but as a path to inner awakening.

> Love doesn’t always bring happiness. Sometimes it is the path to truth. Yiğit’s love was exactly that.