A new project

I am starting a new project - I have decided to start collecting statements of false philosophy. These are not, though, untruths of any sort. These are statements which, on the surface smack of some deep metaphilosophical meaning but when you stop to think about them, are completely worthless. So far, I have 2 categories: truisms and empties.

Truisms are statements of identity or definition but which are presented as if this clarifying statement actually brings out some innovative subtlety of meaning, which it doesn't.

Example: "Questions are the things which we are driven to find answers for."

The pop culture example is "It is what it is." We want to find something comforting, deeper or somehow insightful in that statement but if we try too hard, we realize that it is difficult for anything to be what it isn't or not to be what it is.

Empties or nonisms are those nuggets of metaphors or imagery which you would think, when deciphered, impart some important meaning but really don't.

Example: To tie a knot is to connect three friends and four enemies.

This group, however, lends itself to 2 challenges. The first is the possibility that the inane may inadvertently have meaning to someone. The second is that the creation of these bits of nonwisdom lends itself to silliness or become derivative of real statements. I risk the abyss and intend to fill this category as well.

Because you know what they say, "without anything, all you have is nothing."
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