Is silence golden?

Bret Bernhoft April 16, 2023 at 23:19 1050 views 4 comments
Is silence golden? That's a good question.

In some arenas of this world, silence is preferred. Whereas in others, silence is not. What are the philosophical implications of choosing to be loud, versus being silent? There would seem to be many, if a difference can be found.

I majored in Communications, so you can probably interpret my bias. But, as of late, silence has been my preferred mode of being, in the realities that I inhabit.

I am doing much more listening and meditation, than I've ever done. And the results are quite spectacular. With my appreciation for three hundred and sixty degree thinking, I'm seeing changes in every aspect of my life.

But this is just me. What are your thoughts? Is silence golden? Does silence bring about higher quality living?

Comments (4)

invicta April 16, 2023 at 23:25 #800314
Words can impact your silence especially if said loudly. Language is meant to communicate between two skulls orders and ideas. If one monkey is being loud and one monkey silent then all good. If the silent monkey starts getting annoyed at the loud monkey then we have a problem as silence will soon turn to action from the loud and silent monkey.
Vera Mont April 16, 2023 at 23:31 #800316
It's entirely situation-dependent.
Tom Storm April 17, 2023 at 00:22 #800348
Quoting Bret Bernhoft
Does silence bring about higher quality living?


Maybe. I think it’s a preference. I like silence. And I can go days without talking. I feel no benefits from it except the joy of silence itself.
Jamal April 17, 2023 at 00:53 #800368
Mostly I like silence, natural sounds, and the occasional human utterance. I prefer—it feels like I absolutely need—silence when I’m reading. I get stressed by constant traffic noise. I get angry at people who use car horns needlessly. I love music but I hate the ubiquity of background music.

But sometimes I love being in amongst the noise of the city and talking and laughing noisily all night.

But what does this have to do with philosophy? We have a social science section and I think noise and ambient sound could be explored in terms of psychology and sociology, and from there it could get philosophical, but the way the OP frames the topic it just seems to be about personal preference. Discussing how silence might help you feel more philosophical is not itself philosophical.

I’m not moving it to the Lounge as yet. Let’s see what happens.