The Difference In Philosophies

By Arthur N. Miles

Which comes first, thinking, or the thinker?

The tradition of Western philosophy, at least since Descartes' famously eloquent summary of cogito sum ergo, has held that the thinker came first. This seems intuitive enough; after all, there must be a driver first before there is any driving, just as there has to be a cook first before there is any cooking. So naturally there is a thinker, somebody who thinks, in whose head thoughts are being constructed.

But Eastern traditions hold that thinking comes first, and that it's a result of thinking that a thinker arises. Although perhaps not as intuitive, this can also make perfect sense; take into account that stereotype of waiters and waitresses being actors and actresses - only in-between roles. Is one truly an actor (or writer, or artist) if one doesn't do any acting (or writing, or art)? Would you be a "baseball player" if you didn't even play any baseball?

one is only, say, the Queen of England if she truly does perform all the duties of that office. Likewise, it's thinking that makes the thinker: The act first that then defines the title.

This seemingly easy observation has profound implications for the way we think, if we think about it deeply enough. In the case of our self-identities, these implications are quite unsettling, for it raises the question of whether we are who we really think we are. Much anger in the world arises from what are literally thinking errors, usually involving some aspect of self-identity.

In the most sensational examples, one frequently reads of racists who discover, to their horror, that they have ancestors who were of the very ethnic or racial group they hate. After a tough period of soul-searching, several give up their racism, although not often realizing how literally it was always "all in their heads."

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Can You Find A Nice Gravestone That Is Environmentally Friendly?

By Earl Yates

Environmentally friendly tombstone are becoming more popular as people become more aware of our global environment. Most people are seeking green products that are created from sustainable resources. And it is the same for memorials and tombstones. These can be difficult to find, though online searches will prove helpful. Some cemeteries actually limit the use of tombstone materials to two or three choices. Finding a nice green memorial for your loved one can be problematic.

Some forward thinking tombstone manufacturers in the U. K. Have created tombstones made of composite plant materials. These are designed to last for many years, and then gradually dissolve into the ground over time. The U. K. Is facing an extreme shortage of burial space. The burial practices are changing rapidly there because of the lack of space to bury compared to the increasing need for burials. The country is quickly developing burial practices that allow for more natural return to the ground.

In a significant amount of cemeteries, tombstone materials are regulated. Typically, only two or three choices of materials are made available, so that the cemetery might maintain a uniform appearance throughout its grounds. Unfortunately, these materials are traditional granite, sandstone, marble, or solid rock. And often, the expense is quite high and many struggle to afford the literally thousands of dollars that these traditional tombstones may cost.

There is a growing movement toward totally green burial. At these cemeteries, burials take place only in simply pine boxes, or shrouds. Tombstones and memorials may be something as simple as a tree, bush, or native flowers planted to mark the site.

It is not uncommon for family members to find a burial site at a green cemetery using electronic tracking devices. Tracking chips included during internment help family members to locate the plot later on. This modern system assumes that no tombstone will be needed. But, family can choose to use a flat rock or flat tombstone marker to identify the exact spot as long as the natural environment is not disrupted.

For traditionalists, having a large stone professionally engraved is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly tombstone possible. For the professionals that engrave the stones, there is nothing more natural. Having come from the ground, a stone is viewed as the best thing to use. For many, the stones are the most natural thing, and speak clearly of the earth, so the tombstone is the most lasting and natural memorial possible.

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Headstones are a good way to show your love and care for the individuals in your life that have left this Earth. This is why it is important to look at some nice Tombstones and Monuments.