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On the Preservation of Enthusiasm
The nature of questioning serves as a point of departure in this terse but far-reaching philosophical essay. With the help of set theory and Kierkegaard, the link between inquiry, knowledge, belief, and enthusiasm is revealed. On some level this exposition might be viewed as a lesson in spirituality for the skeptical and/or scientifically-minded.
Click to Read Sample
*this essay also available in the paperback collection
Stories and Essays
Click to Read Sample
*this essay also available in the paperback collection
Stories and Essays
- GenresPhilosophy
12 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2013
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Cliff Hays
8 books108 followersMusician and author from the USA, primarily influenced by mathematics, science, and philosophy. Has written two science fiction short stories
Dual Void
and
IHU
; one work of mathematics
Bivalent Logic
; two works of epistemology and philosophy of science
Aamrgan
and
On the Preservation of Enthusiasm
; as well as
Essays in Science and Philosophy [2004 - 2009]
(seven essays exploring and explicating various interrelated topics, such as: temporality, gravity, relativity, epistemology, agnosticism, metaphysics, existentialism, consciousness, music, art, physics, and cosmology).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 25, 2014
For anyone who has ever experienced the ebb and flow of existential fervor (pretty much all of us), or for those who may feel perpetually confined to a seemingly lackluster existence, Cliff Hays' On the Preservation of Enthusiasm is a must read.
To begin, the author expertly guides you up from the depths of fading enthusiasm, through a logical sequence of questions pertaining to the existence of the universe, until finally tapping into the age-old question about the meaning of existence. Along the way you will discover, among many things, the distinction between grounded and ungrounded questions, which questions are worth asking and which aren't, how to address unanswerable questions, and how to relate to that which is unknowable.
I believe you will find Cliff Hays' seamless progression of logical thought in this epistemological work to be both spiritually restoring and mentally stimulating. I certainly walked away from the text with a fresh take on life and a renewed enthusiasm for tackling my own studies. Too bad I didn't read it sooner! So happy to say I'll be looking forward to reading more from this gifted writer in the future!
To begin, the author expertly guides you up from the depths of fading enthusiasm, through a logical sequence of questions pertaining to the existence of the universe, until finally tapping into the age-old question about the meaning of existence. Along the way you will discover, among many things, the distinction between grounded and ungrounded questions, which questions are worth asking and which aren't, how to address unanswerable questions, and how to relate to that which is unknowable.
I believe you will find Cliff Hays' seamless progression of logical thought in this epistemological work to be both spiritually restoring and mentally stimulating. I certainly walked away from the text with a fresh take on life and a renewed enthusiasm for tackling my own studies. Too bad I didn't read it sooner! So happy to say I'll be looking forward to reading more from this gifted writer in the future!
February 21, 2022
This was an enjoyable, brief epistemological romp that not only made me think, it made me refresh my knowledge of logarithms, which I haven’t used since grad school other than to doctor up some charts. And it made me get Alexa to play Monty Python’s “Bruce’s Philosopher Song.”
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 23, 2014
Another excellent book by one of my favorite authors Cliff Hays! I have read his other books on philosophy and found them all to be illuminating, well-written, and interesting. This one is no exception.
Despite the word “enthusiasm” in the title, this is a book on epistemology, not psychology. But as a bonus, it does contain some therapeutic ideas.For example, he makes the point that periods of enthusiasm inevitably come and go. Everyone experiences low points but they always end just as they begin. Accepting that they are unavoidable removes the added anxiety that comes from rushing to “fix” the problem.
Beyond examining enthusiasm, Cliff Hays addresses worthwhile questions, such as, “Is the Universe one or many?” To do this, he applies rigorous logic and makes careful distinctions between ways of “knowing,” such as a proof versus a justification for a belief. He also explains the need to ask questions clearly, which means formulating them to be grounded, whether they are ultimately answerable or not.
This book and others by Cliff Hays have inspired me to become more interested in epistemology. Any school that encourages critical thinking could make enormous progress toward that goal by providing students with the conceptual tools he presents. Tools for clear thinking are desperately needed in a world where "information" is easy to obtain but far more difficult to verify or debunk.
The 99 cent price tag is a small price for the extensive knowledge and depth of thought that has gone into this book. Anyone with an interest in philosophy will find a lot to contemplate here. Eagerly waiting to see what this gifted author writes next!
Despite the word “enthusiasm” in the title, this is a book on epistemology, not psychology. But as a bonus, it does contain some therapeutic ideas.For example, he makes the point that periods of enthusiasm inevitably come and go. Everyone experiences low points but they always end just as they begin. Accepting that they are unavoidable removes the added anxiety that comes from rushing to “fix” the problem.
Beyond examining enthusiasm, Cliff Hays addresses worthwhile questions, such as, “Is the Universe one or many?” To do this, he applies rigorous logic and makes careful distinctions between ways of “knowing,” such as a proof versus a justification for a belief. He also explains the need to ask questions clearly, which means formulating them to be grounded, whether they are ultimately answerable or not.
This book and others by Cliff Hays have inspired me to become more interested in epistemology. Any school that encourages critical thinking could make enormous progress toward that goal by providing students with the conceptual tools he presents. Tools for clear thinking are desperately needed in a world where "information" is easy to obtain but far more difficult to verify or debunk.
The 99 cent price tag is a small price for the extensive knowledge and depth of thought that has gone into this book. Anyone with an interest in philosophy will find a lot to contemplate here. Eagerly waiting to see what this gifted author writes next!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews