What Obama Says and What he means

This quote is taken out of context with the whole speech made by Obama and published in a local Chicago newspaper eight days after 9/11:

"We must also engage, however, in the more difficult task of understanding the sources of such madness. The essence of this tragedy, it seems to me, derives from a fundamental absence of empathy on the part of the attackers: an inability to imagine, or connect with the humanity and suffering of others."

"Such a failure of empathy, such numbness to the pain of a child or the desperation of a parent, is not innate; nor history tells us, is it unique to a particular culture, religion, or ethnicity. It may find expression in a particular brand of violence and may be channeled by particular demagogues or fanatics. Most often, though, it grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair."

Perhaps some who read the above may refer to the total speech made by Obama, and thereby balance these excerpts with a hopefully more reality based response on his part. Obama's method, in many of his speeches, includes an attempt to transcend all conflicts, regardless of any of the particular details; that is, Obama may believe that he can grasp the precepts involved in the conflict and somehow find a universal solution to it, using a humanitarian common denominator, disavowing any national singularity. Personally, I don't understand how any American can transcend three thousand innocent lives. But I have not read the whole speech, and as an American, I must give him the benefit of the doubt until I have more information on what he said in the entire speech.

What is philosophy?

Dear Cafe 101

This is not a book review, obviously, but I just want to see if I'm initially following the procedures correctly.

Philosophy addresses all things in the universe which we seek as real and meaningful; that which we can know, that which we ought to do (that is, all of our actions), that which is pleasurable and beautiful to us, and that which simply is; that is , what is the nature of all existence, especially, of course, our own species. Philosophy also addresses anything we may possibly imagine. In addition, philosophy deals with the search for the divine and knowledge of the divine. Everything is subsumed under these categories, which are the realm of philosophy. Philosophy also must deal with the linguistic (written , spoken, silent), artifactual, natural, and graphic way in which all of these are expressed. In addition in seeking these things and expressing them, philosophy needs a medium or instrument to structure the questions and possible answers. The medium in itself is a philosophical problem. To further challenge the philosopher, questions of human subjectivity and objectivity are applied to all questions and answers. That is, what emanates only from us and what is completely alien to us, and how can we connect the two? Consciousness takes on a considerable role in this overall scheme of understanding the universe, and the unconscious also comes into play. There are some, especially in post modern times, who have argued that philosophy has lost its reason for being. I think not.

Regards,

Bob Fanelli