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Hi there, this is Stefan Molyneux - welcome to Freedomain, the Locals community! One of the last homes for real philosophy in the world!
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Feel free to have a look around, chat with other members, share your thoughts, objections, arguments and memes!
This is a place where we strive to achieve the truth through consistent virtue - a great playground for innovative ideas and interactions!
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Stefan Molyneux@freedomain
July 31, 2024
The Truth About History
Hi Stef, what role should history play in determining philosophical truths or falsehoods? I ask this question knowing your background in history and how you have integrated it into your communication of philosophy, however, the point of conflict for me is this.
When history is used as evidence for a problem existing, the debate is then about causality rather than principles.
Since causality can't be proven with certainty, neither is it encouraged because we have free will, the utility of a philosophical claim rests on whether or not the person is persuaded by the causality you have presented. From a logical and syllogistic point of view, the argument might be valid, but it might not be true without the empirical evidence to back it up since put simply, truth is a status that a claim has relative to its correspondence with the world.
For example, if you were to say child abuse is wrong, and use reason alone to make that argument, someone might not be convinced that how we treat children is even a problem. As such, you’ll then need to use history to support your reasoning. You would examine the French revolution, the childhoods of people in call-ins, look at other literature and research that uses a greater data set of human history to investigate if how we treat children is a problem.
At this point, someone might then be convinced since you have presented them with history, but maybe instead they’ll debate you on the causality of historical events. You won’t be able to convince them through principles, nor history. You could even try delve into their childhood only for them to say that they turned out alright.
At this point, we determine that the person can’t be reasoned with regarding this topic and move on, however, the problem remains regarding the role that history plays in making a philosophical claim that is valid, useful. If people can’t accept a truth statement, it isn’t useful even if it is true. History seems to be indispensable in persuading other people to accept truth statements, however, the battle is then about causality and how it is perceived or interpreted rather than principles.
If the first battle as a philosopher is about making valid truth statements, is the next battle about using history to persuade others of their validity, thereby rendering them ‘useful’? Is the final battle for the human mind about causality now that UPB is in the picture?
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On the Existence of GOD! Twitter/X Space
Wednesday Night Live 20 August 2025
Philosopher Stefan Molyneux explore the intersections of philosophy, personal challenges, and belief systems. He discusses the evolution of HR practices away from productivity and towards ideological compliance, questioning the influence of leftist ideologies on corporate efficiency. Through engaging calls, he shares insights from watching "Dear Liar," prompting a critique of societal conditioning versus individual talent.
Stef and callers delve into belief systems, drawing on Stef's atheistic perspective and the importance of logical reasoning over emotional conviction. The conversation navigates the themes of personal responsibility versus victimhood, encouraging listeners to embrace humility while confronting their realities. Concluding with personal narratives of overcoming struggles, Stefan invites further dialogue, urging an active pursuit of understanding and self-discovery through philosophical inquiry.
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Solitude is Driving Me Crazy! CALL IN SHOW
The episode offers an in-depth conversation between Stefan and a 23-year-old caller struggling with feelings of emptiness post-conversion to Catholicism. The discussion reveals the caller's affluent but isolating upbringing, marked by the early death of his mother and the pressures to excel academically in music. The pandemic exacerbated his challenges, leading to a breakdown and withdrawal from music school. The conversation explores his anxiety, social awkwardness, particularly in romantic contexts, and his complex family dynamics, where differing ideological views have further isolated him. Stefan encourages the caller to reframe his perceptions of relationships and mental health, promoting social engagement as a means to combat isolation. The episode underscores the interplay between personal history, mental health, and the necessity of community and connections in overcoming feelings of purposelessness.
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Coming up to my 20th anniversary of being a public philosopher!
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This was my first published article, October 24 2005
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2005/10/stefan-molyneux/the-stateless-society-an-examination-of-alte
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