Embarking on yet another learning curve...

Wrote this in 2012

So after much procrastination I finally chose the Philosophy Masters.  Why not Literature or the English Language? Or indeed the psychology I love so much?

There is no short answer.  I have been philosophising since I was about 12, always questioning the way things are, why things are the way they are, and wondering how we can change the bad things.  I rambled around reading books and trying to find answers, always expecting that there would be someone who knew the answers to my very perplexing questions.  It's taken me a long time to discover that there seems to be no single truth when it comes to some questions, only debates and arguments.

Now, I like a good argument, as anyone who has seen my brother and I debating politics would agree. I feel very passionate about certain things: in a way I believe I have never really grown up, never matured to the extent that I can accept things just the way they are.  I still, naively some would say, believe that human beings are inherently good. The humanist in me believes that we must have evolved a social conscience and that we sometimes lose it occasionally in the moment of living.  I still have what some would call a childish belief in the good of human nature, yet I am confused by the irrational actions of many in power to subjugate some people and of others who exploit people for their own selfish ends.

So that, in a nutshell, is why I chose philosophy. I am looking for a more rational way to consider the many questions I have, as yet, to find answers for, indeed that there may be no answers to.  My worry is that in doing so I may uncover further questions that whet my appetite for knowledge about this world we have created. I also worry that this will change me, I think I actually like seeing myself as a simple soul who believes in the good nature of human beings - many things have happened in my life to challenge my assumptions but I have as yet fought off any pessimism that may arise from time to time.

I have created another blog that I will use to focus on my philosophical ramblings throughout the three year course that will deal with the course topics as they arise.  I intend to use it to brainstorm my thoughts on the topics before I actually consider what philosophers have argued.  I hope to end my naive meanderings and come to find my own sense of truth regarding people, justice and politics.

Catching up

Not written here for a while - but have started a new blog devoted to poetry! Been busy reading all George RR Martin's books again ready for the new book coming out next month. Tv programme about the first book "Game of Thrones" is also being shown on Sky Atlantic. Good series so far and fairly true to the books.

As I seem to do most of my online stuff by iPhone these days, I am trying to write this on the phone, so apologies if there are any typos!

Mam, San and me: grieving

One of very few photos I have of the three of us, my sister Sandra, my mam and me posing while Eddie takes a photie of the three of us in the back garden.


Brings back some sad memories as this was taken just after Steve, my brother died. I'm wearing my mam's clothes here - they are a little on the tight side!