Why do you philosophers get on this website and answer questions for people? What qualifies you to do so?

Question

Why do you care about a high best answer percentage? Unless you are the rare, altruistic, sophistic, moral, "I just want to help out the world," type and actually have the competency and charisma necessary to have a high best answer percentage, you might, for all we know, be using multiple users just to give yourself best answer.

This question is directed to those who strive to become "Top Contributer" or to have a high best answer percentage.

Why does it matter? Why do you answer questions for strangers online? Are you that great a person, truly, that you find value in random acts of kindness? Are you that special that you overcome the cynical abysm of society such that you, in all your wisdom and glory, are positioned such that you feel obligated to tell and advise others regarding how they should live their lives, or deal with whatever problems they might be having which have driven them to solicit anonymous help from the random, arbitrary aggregate of the peopled world?

Or is it that you need to feed your ego, or show off your percentage to your friends, or want to conduct little freakish sociology experiments of your own, or because you want to cut and paste your responses into your own Word Documents to read and reread as you baste in the splendor and glory your insight into reality and into others affords you?

This is not a diatribe or an accusation, nor is it meant to incite anger or negativity so much as it is a genuine inquiry into the nature of the millions of people who answer and post questions on this site regularly.

And please, spare me the locutions regarding how cynical I am, or how my opinion of mankind is dark and drab; for in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is, the reason I post this is because all the helpful responses, the energy and the time I see people put into helping others on this site invigorates me, and moves me to admiration, and it seems unlikely that the world I have oftentimes come to see as less than noble, can produce such a crop of wonderful beings.

So Why do you do it? Why do you care?

Ten points for the most honest, and enlightening, response!

Amber

Answer 1

I'm not a student of philosophy except by self study however I am a lover of knowledge. Age and experience have contributed to my wisdom so I feel that my opinions have basis plus no one else knows exactly what I know, therefore sharing my insights could provide another with that single detail required to satisfy that person's curiosity.

I do so largely from a need to be heard as my verbal communication skills are meager. This forum provides me an outlet when others won't listen.So, I admit I give my ego free reign here as I reflect on how clever I can be or how I earned 100 points in a day but I also like to believe that I provide a genuine service, giving advice that hopefully  will ripple across the pond and improve the world if only subtly

Now, having said that, I cannot stand point hogs - as in "please give me 10 points because i have a cute avatar" or "let's see if I can manipulate the system somehow to get more points". I earn points by my own merits. I guess what I mean is that although my ego exists it is not the monster that I've seen running rampant so when I claim to be at least moderately altruistic I think I can do so genuinely (OK, at least comparatively)

Additionally, people who don't acknowledge the role their ego plays in providing an answer such as " I just do this for the fun of it" or " I really am altruistic and points don't matter" are nearly as bad as the point hogs and , yes, I'm aware that by pointing this out I'm also not cotrolling my ego but at least I'm aware of it.

P.S. And well Nick does make some good points he wins gold for biggest ego here

Answer 2

...im no philosopher, just another person with an opinion just like all those other philosophers...

...i enjoy all that LIFE IS in the moment and smile...neva serious...enjoying my LIFE...

...good luck, MISS...thanks for asking...

Answer 3

Although, I'm not striving to become "Top Contributer" or to have a high best answer percentage, I feel that in order for me to create a balance (maybe only in my head... but still) I must answer questions in order to deserve answers to my own. I'm a very curious individual & feel that if I were to ask questions... better posed with this anonymous mask...without it...I would not get as honest or corrupt an answer...

thank you...it's questions like this that keep me coming back...

Answer 4

People I believe try to become top contribute because it really is like a competition, just like in baseball winning the World Series doesn't get you really anything (besides money) but fame, it really brings no particular good in the world other than people being happy their team won. But its just a competition.

I read quite a bit of questions on here but don't say anything as I wouldn't bring anything from my knowledge to answer their question well. Only reason I reply is because it needs to be said. I also like answering because I usually find new things about myself, trying to answer I question myself and my opinions.

I love this place because, when people actually answer, it shows how different each and every one of us is an individual with their own problems and life but come here to find answers to what ever may bring them grief or want to understand something better. I personally don't care about highest % or top contribute, for that it in the end really doesn't matter as long as people can come here and find an answer to their question in a good quality I don't see any harm in anything.

Answer 5

I love thinking about the answers to interesting and difficult questions. Thinking deeply is what I love. It's what gets me up in the morning. Its an adventure for me. It puts a smile on my face when I figure out an amazing piece of reality. It eliminates my confusion, and gives me a sense of control/power. And yes, knowledge is power. But sometimes it can be difficult to come up with interesting questions to answer on my own. So I use yahoo answers as a way of discovering interesting questions that I'd love to try to answer. Answering questions for me is an end in itself. I don't do it for the points, or the glory. Glory is overrated- there is nothing good about being the only person who knows something, or can understand an idea that I have. Its a lonely, frustrating position to be in. So I feel good when I enlighten someone on a particular subject. I feel good when someone knows something that has been locked in my own head for too long. Anyways, I certainly don't tell people what is good/enjoyable or bad/painful, or how they should live their lives, because people already know those things for themselves.  

Answer 6

Well... I don't really care much about point other than the fact that they allow me to answer and ask questions, which to me I could care less about asking since I don't ask to much unless I want to ask a few philosophy questions I don't ask frequently in any other section.

I guess it could be boredom, nothing better to do, really I don't know the real reason. To help people? Who actually puts to much worth into a written word from a complete stranger on the internet, get real. Whether or not I think my answer can "help" someone it's up to THEM to recieve it and use it otherwise they just ignore it.

I guess I like getting in an opinion, seeing others opinions, etc.

But really does there always have to be a reason? Sometimes when you think to hard to find a reasons all you do is end up creating one which may not have even been the original reason or maybe it was. Sometimes you can never really know.

Answer 7

I'm not in it for points, or to win..and I agree with you these philosophers help people and profit by it..(points) which makes them selfish, and conditional..I admit, I also profit by giving answers...my profit is attention....points are nice, but they don't get you laid. It seems you have a large problem with ....everyone who thinks they know something you don't. The truth is we do this because we have no life...and we want people.....(women) to believe we have all of their answers...to give the illusion of godliness, in short for attention/affirmation....a man has needs, and obviously you have been ignoring yours....I think you have posted this because you yourself think the same way...you want people to see you as god, your frustrated because everyone else wants the same thing, and is further along in getting it than you.

Answer 8

couldn't care less about the points. if i cared about the points i would be like a politician telling people what i think they want to hear rather than telling them what i think is right. same goes for ego trips.

the reason is to learn and to know, to grow, and do the same for others. it's strange to you because you are accustomed to the mindset of individuality. think of yourself, do for yourself and not for others. this is a recipe for disaster. i can't be that way. humanity should not be, learning is the most noble of human activities in my opinion. no matter what it is. from dancing, to any craft, to math to physics to science.

just as you wished to learn and to know and posted a question.

this is how you make knowledge. studying an answer for your test, in some cases, depending on your study methods, is not knowledge, it is memories. knowledge is built from questions. the right questions inevitably find the right answers.

but truly the answer would differ for every person, but in order to understand that completely, to encompass all people you would need to study psychology, but not the kind you study in university, they still teach things freud said, at least they did when i was there.

Answer 9

i think i dont really qualify in real life, they wouldn't let me.

i personally think its the urgency to help people get a grasp of life.

Answer 10

I am not a great man but just a student & scholar.I enjoy helping others & share my opinion with others.They may disagree with me,but they can't say that I am wrong.I am just an ordinary man whom wish to help & interested in History & Philosophy.When people like my answer,I will feel happy & satisfied.That's all I am asking for.Thanks for the question.I apprectiate it very much.

Answer 11

I have a degree in philosophy, though that really isn't usually particularly helpful for most of the questions here.

I'm also fairly new here, and I don't think I am doing it for points or best answers (I like to give an answer that satisfies *me*, but that is different). It is a private occupation, not one that I share with others.

I suppose really it is curiosity and mental exercise. If I see a question that looks interesting I might try and answer it. This one, for example, led me to question my own motivation - and that is the best I can come up with.

(later)

Ah, just thought of another one - it is the challenge of trying to put across a point (when there is one) in a reasonably pithy way. Writing practice.

Answer 12

Amber, Amber, Amber...

If you're looking for admiration pertaining to your writings, which seem more poetical than philosophical, then the poetry section is missing out on a fine piece of writing. However, insofar as it being philosophic (which is what the philosophy sections for by the way) it fails (if that's not an understatement). I'm sure others will join in when I say you are an exquisite writer indeed; and, I'm sure you're thesaurus has really paid off. I'm not trying to condemn you nor am I trying to be disrespectful but maybe you could explain to us how this is even remotely relevant to philosophy? I suppose your response will be something along the lines of it being directed to "philosophers". But what's directed to philosophers isn't necessarily philosophic. Unfortunately, most of the people on here probably couldn't even name one of Plato's writings without going to Wikipedia. You could have easily asked the mathematicians the same question. This only leads me to believe your choosing the philosophy category was arbitrary. Now, if it's arbitrarily placed here then it wasn't done so by a rational deliberation. Whatever is not rationally deliberated must be irrational. I'm sure you can infer, from what I've said, the nature of your question. I'll star your question for you so that you can sleep easily tonight knowing that somewhere out there, in the vast universe, someone took some time to give you an answer.  I suppose, maybe, if you thought a bit about this question you could see that your assumption was that somebody was going to inevitably answer. What is it, then, that you know of human nature that allowed you to hold such an assumption; that allowed to be sure that somebody would answer? WAIT. I think I see it...ah, yes...Aristotle did show that human beings are rational by nature. They have a tendency to want to know and share knowledge with others. I'm sure, such an answer, from such a simple-minded person like Aristotle, is to unconvincing for a person as your self.

Why should I try and formulate an answer to a question if there is already an answer to it (that can be found in Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, etc.)? It's necessary to read the philosophers to (1) Understand what it means to do philosophy and (2) To know exactly about the ideas, first hand (from the writing the ideas come from), that you are philosophizing about. Lastly, because of our culture is shaped by the great philosophers (but which ones?). I guess reading them would help. I find nearly impossible that you could have missed something like that. If you can't see the importance of reading the great minds beyond that, then I just feel sorry for you. You really have set your self up for a great fall because you WILL find that there is no idea you will spit out that has not at some other time be mentioned by another person. Or, in the words of Descartes: "One cannot conceive anything so strange and so implausible that it has not already been said by one philosopher or another." Further, I never said you needed to apologize for you "eloquence" nor did I say it bothered me. However, it's the mark of an educated person to be able to express intelligent ideas with simple words. Secondly, "eloquent" words do not suggest that you your self are nor that you are intelligent; in fact, its often a way of hiding our ignorance. Rhetoricians do this well (often called "sophists"). Why? Because learning such words only requires that we memorize them but memorizing something doesn't guarantee we understand it. I also find it interesting you were not so "eloquent" this second time around? Still, maybe you could explain what "philosophical justifications" are? Why are answers to a question like this in need of "philosophic justification"? The question is directed to many peoples intentions, which are subjective. I mean, an answer could be: "I like to". Does somebody really need to "philosophically justify" that? No, not necessarily. Maybe if it were something like "I like to rape"; but, "I like a red car better than a green one" I don't think so. You purposefully make a simple question more challenging than it ought to be. Should I ask the people in the philosophy section what their favorite ice cream is through a long, embellished dialog hoping for long, extensive "philosophic justifications"? So, spare me the line that you were hoping for good "philosophic justifications". I don't think I'll need luck being "me". I've always been me and I think I'll always will be, i.e. I don't think I'll be "not-me" anytime soon.

Point taken about whether or not people can tell me about Plato or not.

Want to go out sometime?

Answer 13

What Yahoo Answers gives many people is an opportunity to connect with others in a very educational and socially-safe setting.  

On an internet full of shallow social sites, this place is for everyone else who doesn't care about how hot they look in their profile pict, but rather how smart they can sound when trying to help someone.  Still somewhat selfish, perhaps, but nonetheless must more respectable than taking pictures of yourself in front of a mirror in your bathroom.

You're wrong that altruistic, sophisticated and moral individuals are rare.  They just don't congregate in many places that often.  But when they do, there is a lot of knowledge and wisdom to be shared.

As much as I'd personally enjoy it, I'm not realistically going to quit my job to go help build schools in Ethiopia, but, I can share my knowledge and honest opinions with people who look to be seeking knowledge and honest opinions.

As for the points, they're like the golden star stickers you used to get in kindergarten.  Sure, they make you feel good for a second, but you know they're worthless and nothing to actually strive for.

Myself?

I hang around here mostly when I need to kill time at work.

:-)

Answer 14

Terrific questions!

In fact, after reading your post twice I felt compelled to reply because it seems the undercurrent of your post actually answers your questions -in your own words- while foreshadowing the responses of many of the respondents.  That is, as you aptly mentioned, "... the reason I post this is because all [of] the helpful responses, the energy and time I see people put into helping others on this site invigorates me ...."

Therein, I believe, is the answer for many -if not most- that come to ask questions and offer answers on this DBoard ... and the answer comes directly from you -the person asking the questions.  And for me, as paradoxical as that may seem, it actually contains the essence of the Y/A board.

I also believe that if the "game" of accumulating points and annointing Top Contributors and the like was missing from this DBoard, there would not be a drop-off of participation.  As a previous respondent said, the points add an element of competition to the exghanges ... I understand that, but I certainly do not need that to be a sincere contributor.

The Y/A venue offers yet one more opportunity for people -all 6.7 billion of us- to socialize ... to congregate anytime we prefer without the onerous restrictions of time and space -and, let's not forget, without the ubiquitous presence of authority figures demanding that every word be properly chosen and spelled correctly; every sentence and paragraph be structured properly with appropriate transitions; every answer have a viable source to substantiate it.

As such, this Y/A community fills a void, it presents a level of freedom that is too often missing where people get together to discuss issues ... it is missing in our educational institutions and our corporate organizations, it is lacking in our political parties and the general discourse contrived by the media; in short, it seems like the world is being silent at a time when it's even more important that all our voices be heard ... this venue allows, encourages, and sustains that!  For me, that keeps me coming back ....

Answer 15

I'm just bored at work and it gives me something to do. It's kinda fun

Answer 16

i do it cause it feels good...

Bagism we usta call it back in the 60's

i think your promulgation of your need to emulate J.S.Mill's writing style is cute...

I'm not a filosifer i'm a speculator (ch 10 of the Republic, i think)

addendum de dumb dumb...

amanda... i hope you don't get the impression that all who profess a knowledge of filosofie are total dumbasses. i can't believe some of the c**p that people write. you are right though... they are envious and are making attempts to emulate someone who actually knows something.

Nick...you owe Amanda an apology. You're speaking under her head... some people don't need a thesaurus...sideways smilie happyface thingie.

Answer 17

I have a degree in Art and Philosophy, so I am better qualified than people who lack such an education. I try to share my knowledge and to give people correct information to try to outweigh the people who do not know what they are talking about. That is a big problem on YA. Naive people do not know how to pick which answers are best.

Answer 18

I am an old man that has more than a modicum of experience and education that empowers me to address certain issues. I share this experience that it may not be lost but carried forward by another generation. I am not qualified to teach in a formal environment(too old) so, I choose this one.

As you can see from my name, I have a fondness for words and philosophy. Language fascinates me. I search for the precise, concise and most communicative ways to speak or write. I have a poetical bent because of this. The rhythm and flow of words are music to my eyes and ears.