第30期：Life,the universe and everything

　　Life, the universe and everything

　　(2006-2007学年第30期)

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　　By Geoff lemon

　　Ralph and Nemo discuss the things that matter.

　　Nemo:Hi. Are you studying here this year?

　　Ralph:Sure will. I’m Ralph.

　　Nemo: Good to meet you Ralph. My friends call me Nemo. Which course are you planning on Ralph?

　　Ralph:I’m up for Mandarin 101. And you?

　　Nemo: To be honest, I just can’t decide whether to study Philosophy or Accounting.

　　Ralph: Urgh. We call Accountants “Bean Counters,” because they’re always worried about numbers.

　　Nemo: So you don’t care for Accountancy?

　　Ralph: That’s the way too dull for me. I can recommend Philosophy — that is, if you’re up to the mental challenge.

　　Nemo: Well, I have to confess that I don’t know a lot about it.

　　Ralph: Really? If you find seeking the truth is appealing then, Philosophy is the way to go. You know, a great deal of what we consider as the “Scientific Method” comes from Greek Philosophy.

　　Nemo: Is that so? I just thought Philosophy had to do with sentimental myths and maybe morals or religion.

　　Ralph:That’s not even the half of it. Philosophy is all about challenging commonly held or preconceived ideas. If you’re interested in how ideas are formed — and whether they are valid— you’ll grow to like the course a great deal. And I think it would be a benefit to you throughout your life.

　　Nemo:I am rather keen to know how you think this “Philosophy” has had an effect on your own life, coming from the West. I’m interested in knowing some differences between the East and West.

　　Ralph: That’s a tough one, Nemo. Certainly there are some striking differences in the Eastern and Western mindset, at least according to my observation.

　　Nemo:Such as?

　　Ralph: People here seem to tend to want to act the same as each other and not to stand out. I find that rather stifling.

　　Nemo: Yes. I see your point. But it’s not universally true. There are those that dare to be different.

　　Ralph: Sure, and I think that over history there have been times when innovative attitudes and fresh ideas have enabled great social and scientific breakthroughs here.

　　Nemo: In my understanding, those who have dared challenge the established mindset in the West have been persecuted in historical times.

　　Ralph:That’s true too. Even now you need to be strong to have an alternative point of view. I guess we are in a more enlightened age now. I suppose Philosophy and the “scientific method” are largely to thank for that. I mean it has shown us that there is a place for alternative beliefs and that we must allow room for them.

　　Nemo:Alternative beliefs? Don’t you think that is disruptive?

　　Ralph:Not at all. I think it reflects the health of society to allow for many points of view. The reason so many advances have contributed to our way of life today is that we’ve continued to “push the envelope” and that there are people willing to “think outside the square”— that we must hold truth to the test.

　　Nemo: “Push the envelope?”

　　Ralph:Oh sorry, the “envelope” relates to the pressure wave that envelopes aircraft approaching the speed of sound. Until it was more thoroughly understood, and breakthroughs were made in aircraft design, it was impossible to break through the envelope — to break the sound barrier. Now we use the term to mean not to let barriers inhibit progress.

　　Nemo: And “Think outside the square?”

　　Ralph:Well, that’s the imaginary confine of the common man’s thinking. Learning to analyze a problem“outside the square,” or “outside the box,” is the term we use to mean, finding radical new solutions using methods not previously considered.

　　Nemo:Hmm... how interesting. I think my mind is made up. Philosophy will be my certain choice.

　　Ralph:Good move Nemo!