#inquiry

[philosophybits]

Explore, and explore, and explore. Be neither chided nor flattered out of your position of perpetual inquiry. Neither dogmatise yourself, nor accept another's dogmatism.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Literary Ethics

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Curiosity

The philosophy of curiosity explores the nature, origins, and implications of human curiosity, which drives individuals to seek knowledge, explore new experiences, and ask questions about the world around them. Curiosity has long been recognized as a fundamental aspect of human cognition and behavior, playing a central role in scientific inquiry, philosophical reflection, and everyday life. Here are some key aspects and theories within the philosophy of curiosity:

Epistemic Curiosity: Epistemic curiosity refers to the desire for knowledge and understanding, motivating individuals to seek information, explore new ideas, and engage in intellectual pursuits. Philosophers have debated the nature of epistemic curiosity, its origins in human cognition, and its role in shaping scientific progress and cultural development.

Aesthetic Curiosity: Aesthetic curiosity pertains to the exploration of beauty, art, and creativity, driving individuals to seek out new experiences, appreciate diverse forms of expression, and engage with works of literature, music, visual art, and other cultural artifacts. Aesthetic curiosity raises questions about the nature of artistic inspiration, cultural interpretation, and subjective experience.

Existential Curiosity: Existential curiosity concerns the exploration of existential questions about the nature of existence, meaning, and purpose, motivating individuals to reflect on their own lives, values, and beliefs. Existential curiosity encompasses inquiries into topics such as the nature of consciousness, the search for transcendence, and the quest for personal fulfillment.

Philosophical Curiosity: Philosophical curiosity involves the pursuit of philosophical inquiry, critical thinking, and self-reflection, prompting individuals to question assumptions, challenge conventional wisdom, and explore fundamental concepts such as truth, morality, justice, and reality. Philosophical curiosity underlies the practice of philosophy as a discipline and informs broader intellectual endeavors.

Ethical Curiosity: Ethical curiosity concerns the exploration of ethical questions and moral dilemmas, motivating individuals to consider the consequences of their actions, empathize with others, and strive for moral growth and development. Ethical curiosity raises questions about the nature of moral values, ethical principles, and the pursuit of the good life.

Cognitive Curiosity: Cognitive curiosity encompasses the exploration of cognitive processes, mental states, and psychological phenomena, driving individuals to understand how the mind works, how knowledge is acquired, and how beliefs are formed. Cognitive curiosity informs research in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science.

Cultural Curiosity: Cultural curiosity involves the exploration of diverse cultures, traditions, and worldviews, prompting individuals to learn about different societies, languages, and customs, and to appreciate the richness of human diversity. Cultural curiosity fosters intercultural understanding, global awareness, and cross-cultural communication.

Metacognitive Curiosity: Metacognitive curiosity pertains to the exploration of one's own cognitive processes and learning strategies, motivating individuals to reflect on their own thinking, monitor their own understanding, and adapt their learning strategies to achieve greater intellectual growth and self-improvement.

Overall, the philosophy of curiosity explores the multifaceted nature of human curiosity and its profound influence on knowledge, creativity, personal growth, and the human condition.

[allyooops]

I love drawing ponies in piles, wanted to make one for my own little creations ❤️ Melon and DC would absolutely not get along, and she'd also probably find Inq to be boring. Inquiry would of course treat Melon as kindly as she treats everypony else.

[thirdity]

I know nothing. There is nothing that I know. But the heart senses certain things. Let your heart speak, question faces, do not listen to tongues.

Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose

[almalvo]

He’s a 10, but he drop kicks teenagers.

And the multiverse will drop kick his ass next for it till he cant walk no more lmfaooo.

Our mestizo spider will have his reckoning -

and a proper redemption.

He deserves both.

[theoptia]

may your day be as kind to you as you are to this world

♡ A truly heartwarming welcome home.

[photoblogdujour]

Leaning in for @ancientstarrydynamo . How did the circular dahlia show go Starry? Inquiring flowers want to know.

[amynagi]

[pinniped-medibots]

[sisyphus once again finds herself pacing outside of ottos room]

[while arthur was in control of the body last night, she had discovered something in their internal landscape - two new doors]

[this was important. it possibly meant two new program-mates, possibly meaning another huge change]

[she felt like she had to tell somebody, and otto was the only one she could really confide in]

[she knocked on the door]

otto? may i come in?

-@emotionally-anxious-spybots

[ Today had been absolutely awful for Otto. ]

[ He was still trying to process everything that happened at the clubhouse most sentient robots frequented. By this point, he couldn’t even remember most of the day. All he knew was that he had the worst “wakemare” of his life and ended up hurting somebody. Bad. ]

[ However, hearing their sister’s voice helped to stop the spiral of self destructive thoughts he was going down. ]

…YEAH, YOU CAN

[watchereyes]

fifh

I am sorry? An ask will be sent to you. I hope you have the courtesy to send it.

[mdzs-fanon-exposed]

MDZS Fanon VS Canon: 5/?

Lan Wangji played Inquiry every day for 13 years

Rating: FANON - UNSUPPORTED

This belief is a big one in the fandom, since it's commonly held to be canon or implied canon. It's both romantic and tragic to think of Lan Wangji playing Inquiry for Wei Wuxian every day during his thirteen years of mourning, whether he thought Wei Wuxian would respond or no. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), there is no proof in the novel that Lan Wangji ever tried to contact Wei Wuxian after his death.

In the first place, Inquiry is the wrong method for to search for Wei Wuxian:

"Inquiry" was a famous song composed by the forebears of the Lan Clan of Gusu. It was different from "Evocation" in that it was used in circumstances when the identity of the deceased was unknown and there was no medium. (Seven Seas Ch. 5)

As Lan Wangji knows Wei Wuxian's identity, Inquiry is not applicable. There is another GusuLan method for summoning souls that would be more likely:

The song they played was called "Evocation." Using the corpse, a part of the corpse, or a beloved item of the deceased as the medium, the soul of the dead would come forth at the sound of the music. (Seven Seas Ch. 5)

By default, Inquiry would not have been Lan Wangji's soul-summoning song of choice. Even if we assume that Lan Wangji had to resort to Inquiry because he didn't have a suitable medium (e.g. Wei Wuxian left no body/Lan Wangji didn't have access to a "beloved item"), there is no indication in the text that he ever attempted it or Evocation. We do know that after the siege of the Burial Mounds, Lan Wangji "searched the mountain for days," which may have included one or both methods, but neither is specified:

Although he had found the unconscious, feverish Wen Yuan tucked inside the hollow of a scorched tree, he had found nothing of Wei Wuxian. Not even a bone, a chunk of flesh, or a frail wisp of soul. (Passage and quote above: Seven Seas Ch. 23)

Without a soul to communicate with, there would be no chance of Inquiry working. We as the reader know that Wei Wuxian's soul was intact and able to be summoned back eventually, but Lan Wangji didn't know that. Faced with his own inability to find Wei Wuxian's soul, the years of failed attempts from the major clans, and the assumption that an un-summonable soul must have been ripped apart or dispersed (Seven Seas Chs. 5, 7), it's incredibly unlikely that he would have continued to play regardless.

At best, we can assume it's possible that Lan Wangji played Inquiry briefly at the Burial Mounds, but there is no canon basis for the idea that he played it every day until Wei Wuxian was resurrected.

If anybody is big into fandom history and knows where this idea might have originated, please let me know! I'm curious and it would be an interesting addition to this post. I know that the Lan Wangji character song from The Untamed, "Bu Wang," contains this verse:

The qin plays in the Jingshi A song of inquiry, unanswered (Genius Lyrics)

If not the original source for the "13 years" theory, this official song may have popularized it until it was assumed to be canon to the novels as well as the drama; it wouldn't be the first time that something like this has happened.

[philosophybits]

I regret that for external & internal reasons I can’t do philosophy, for that’s the only work that’s given me real satisfaction. No other work really bucks me up. I’m extremely busy now & my mind is kept occupied the whole time but at the end of the day I just feel tired & sad.

Ludwig Wittgenstein, "Letter to Norman Malcolm (11 September 1943)"

[themaskofthephantom]

Anybody else feel like an unwanted hot potato getting passed around again and again by the world, or is it just me?

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Vladimir Konashevich (Russian,1888-1963):: illustration for “The Muddle” written by Kornei Chukovsky, 1923

* * * *

“You know," Daddy said, "it's some that can live their whole life out without asking about it and it's others has to know why it is, and this boy is one of the latters. He's going to be into everything!” ― Flannery O'Connor

[thirdity]

How should we deal with intrusions of fiction into life, now that we have seen the historical impact that this phenomenon can have? [...] Reflecting on these complex relationships between reader and story, fiction and life, can constitute a form of therapy against the sleep of reason, which generates monsters.

Umberto Eco, Six Walks in the Fictional Woods

[almalvo]

Yeh, you right.

My art def aint good enough to stomach bigotry and aggressive narrow-mindedness.

Cuz I draw Miguel as a un-whitewashed, non-objectified, FUCKing POC for once and actually give Miles his fucking nose and lips and 4c hair and rich beautiful dark, blood filled melanin back unlike all these motherfuckers out here; that I dont draw misogyny nor toxic masculinity fervent in art of men, that I embrace the softness and emotional and multidimensional side that men arent allowed to have in artwork nor irl; i dont fetishise anything and care about expanding body types and give a shit to say something about a man callin 12 year old girls hot when they grow up and drawing ballgag lipstick on a 14 year old child.

Ye my art def dont got that bigotry and aggressively narrow-minded expertise.

you right you right 🤧