Message from wbanta

[Anonymous]

Ms. "K" and Classmates:

Given the very nature of philosophy, its abstraction makes it difficult to internalize. I am still struggling with the concept of "shadows on a cave wall." However, the Chinese philosophers seem to be a bit easier to understand(perhaps this reveals my ignorance), and I can say that I have a "nodding acquaintance" with the basic tenets of the various philosophies we covered. thanks to the reading and the follow-up lectures/explanations by Mr. Dube("Clay"). This having been said, Daoism/Taoism is still somewhat of a mystery within an enigma. I am also a bit "fuzzy" on the distinction between a "Religion" and a "Philosophy", and this begs the question of whether Buddhist belief is religious or philosophical. Hashing this out could open a real can of worms. If I understand correctly, religious belief contains aspects of the supernatural or spiritual, I think.

Walter Banta