I was reading Jean-Paul Sartre's
By manong05
@manong05 (5027)
Philippines
January 28, 2007 1:42am CST
on Being and Nothingness while on a bus one day. Next to me where two French tourists who after seeing the book's title looked at me and asked "Why do you people read such rubbish?"
I didn't believed what I've heard, they should have been proud? Don't you agree? Had I seen them read a book authored by a Filipino, I would have congratulated them. Why can some people be so blunt?
3 responses
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
14 Feb 07
First of all, what business is it of theirs what you read?? Secondly, who are they to decide what is rubbish? Isn't the whole point of philosophy to ask the questions and seek out the answers? Aren't we all allowed to have our own beliefs? Thirdly, I read lots of stuff I agree with and lots of stuff I don't necessarily agree with. That's part of becoming educated. Finally, how do they know it's rubbish? Have they read it too? If so, they shouldn't criticize someone for reading something they've read.
I wonder if they have read Descartes. Because it sounds to me like they don't think, therefore they are not.
1 person likes this
@tapati (19)
• India
28 Jan 07
It is appalling to see people having such poor taste. Yet they are unaware of it and display their stupidity by making comments like that. I can understand , when people are not that erudite and accept it , but blatant display of lack of intelligence is unacceptable.
You should have put them in their place by talking about existentialism. Though all that probably would have blown away beyond their comprehension.
@Tetchie (2932)
• Australia
15 Feb 07
I think you both have missed the point here. Your comments make you no better than those opinionated people who ridiculed your reading choices.
Does not matter what book a person has in his possession. For someone to judge it as rubbish or otherwise is just plain rude. It is no-one's business but your own what you choose to read.
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Well... there are lots of different philosophies in the world, and perhaps these people believed in a different philosophy. The French are known for their various philosophers and the intellectuals sitting in cafes discussing philosophy. And really these people were probably just saying that becuase they couldn't get through a paragraph of Sartre without being confused. His sentances are the size of paragraphs at times.
