Velociraptors and Philosophy

Velociraptors Cycling Association www.velociraptors.ca combines support of cycling with support of philosophical exploration. But why combine cycling and philosophy? Why not cycling and music, or cycling and art, literature, science, socialism, vegetarianism, or Buddhism?

Philosophy involves clarifying and questioning core guiding beliefs, values, and presuppositions which many take for granted. Cycling is a physical embodiment of philosophical questioning. By choosing to ride a bike on public roads instead of using motorized transport (or the subway) you are challenging contemporary mainstream views about lifestyle, social and political goals. Arguably, cycling, more than being an artist, musician, poet, runner, atheist, or socialist, shows a personal commitment to an alternative, environmentally friendly, self-sufficient lifestyle. Granted there are affluent cyclists as there are wealthy or well-off artists, writers, atheists, and academic left-wingers or liberals. Many cyclists own cars, property, stocks and bonds. Nevertheless, the act of cycling challenges the cult of the private automobile and thus attacks the heart of consumerism and the pursuit of wealth.

Cycling, perhaps more than any other activity or sport merges practicality – transport, travel – with physical, mental, and social well-being. Cycling offers personal liberation as well as a deeper connexion with nature – being mobile and independent in all weathers and terrains.

Philosophy does not mean just criticizing traditional, right-wing, establishment, fundamentalist positions, or scientific materialism, logical positivism, capitalism, or Western values. Philosophy recognizes that left-wing, politically correct, liberal, anti-logical/rationalist/scientific thinking, postmodern, trendy, deconstructionist, or relativist views may also contain dogmas, biases, confusions, and nebulous, woolly concepts and assertions. Thus Velociraptors welcomes people of different political, religious, and philosophical persuasions from Catholic to atheist, Conservative to Marxist, mystic to sceptic.

Philosophy need not be just an academic exercise or intellectual pursuit. Being willing to open all views to questioning even (perhaps especially) those which are congenial/appealing or distasteful/threatening to oneself does not mean being apolitical or espousing relativism – the doctrine that all views, values, or cultures are equally reasonable or plausible (there are no trans-cultural standards of objectivity). The practice of philosophical clarification, questioning, and exploration may lead to deeper, more balanced values and commitment.

Velociraptors recognizes that disagreement is inevitable in an open society. Disagreement though often upsetting can be enriching. Perhaps civilized, courteous, empathetic life is the art of accepting and respecting disagreement.

Velociraptors is committed to promoting social justice but eschews dogmas about what this consists in and methods for attaining it.