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It's time to make tracks.

What should we pack?

Surely the great thinkers of history can resolve this problem for us, once and for all.

Plato is the first to speak.

Let us first establish the nature of the issue at hand: ultralight backpacking is the practice of reducing the weight of one's gear to an absolute minimum. Backpacking without restriction, on the other hand, allows for the inclusion of any and all gear deemed necessary for the journey.

Plato lived in Athens during a time of political and social upheaval, marked by war, corruption, and the decline of democratic institutions. His thought was focused on virtue and the pursuit of truth through reason and reflection.

As a philosopher, I am inclined to favour ultralight backpacking, as it promotes simplicity and moderation, which are essential virtues in the pursuit of a just and ethical life.

+1 for ultralight backpacking, then. Across the table, Aristotle chimes in.

While I agree with Plato that simplicity and moderation are virtues, I must argue in favour of packing without restriction.

Born in a small town in northern Greece, Aristotle spent much of his life as a tutor and philosopher in Athens. He emphasized the importance of observation and analysis in understanding the natural world.

In backpacking, our goal is to experience the beauty and diversity of nature. Limiting the gear we carry may hinder that experience. Additionally, the process of preparing for a backpacking trip, including the selection and packing of gear, is a valuable exercise in practical reasoning and decision-making.

Having heard a point in favour of each option, Confucius speaks up from the center of the row.

I see the merits of both options. However, I believe that the key to a successful backpacking trip is balance.

Confucius lived in China during a period of social and political fragmentation. War, corruption, and inequality drove his emphasis on moral education, social harmony, and respect for authority as a means to promote social stability and individual flourishing.

One must carry enough gear to ensure safety and comfort, but not so much that the experience becomes burdensome. Furthermore, one must approach the trip with a mindset of respect and gratitude towards nature, as well as a willingness to adapt to unexpected circumstances.

So we have a third option: the moderate approach. The trilemma is further complicated by Rousseau.

I must take issue with the concept of backpacking altogether. The act of carrying one's possessions through nature implies a sense of ownership and control over the natural world, which I find fundamentally flawed.

Rousseau was a French philosopher during a time of profound political upheaval. He saw the rise of capitalism, colonialism, and Enlightenment thought. Poverty, opression and injustice caused him to emphasize the importance of emotion, nature, and personal experience in shaping our individual identity and values.

Instead, I propose a return to a state of nature, in which we live in harmony with the natural world and rely on our instincts and surroundings to survive.

Rousseau, then, would seemingly vote in favour of packing nothing at all. A fourth option. Perhaps a tad dangerous, but worth mentioning for the sake of a well-rounded discussion.

Sitting next to him, Kant raises an eyebrow.

While I respect Rousseau's ideas, I must disagree. As humans, we have a duty to explore and appreciate the natural world, but we must do so responsibly and with a sense of moral obligation.

Kant was a German philosopher and enlightenment thinker. He is known for his emphasis on reason, ethics, and the pursuit of knowledge as a means to understanding the nature of reality.

Ultralight backpacking may promote simplicity, and packing without restriction may provide a more comprehensive experience, but in either case one must be guided by a sense of respect and responsibility toward nature.

A fair point, but it won't tip the scales towards an agreement on which approach to take.

From the end of the table, frowning beneath his moustache, Nietzsche raises his voice.

I find the entire notion of backpacking to be a pointless exercise in human arrogance.

Nietzsche was a German philosopher and writer known for his critiques of traditional morality and religion during a time of nihilism, nationalism, and industrialization. Illness, loneliness and social isolation hardened his emphasis of the importance of individual will, creativity, and self-overcoming. He's not even sure why he's in the tent with these people.

If one wishes to experience the raw beauty of nature, they should do so on their own terms and without the limitations of human technology and culture.

Mark the calendar: The frenchman and the german agree; you shouldn't pack anything at all.

Having heard the views of the party, Sartre weighs in with his summation.

I believe that the choice between ultralight backpacking and backpacking without restriction is ultimately a personal one, reflective of each individual's values and goals.

A French existentialist philosopher and writer, Sartre promoted individual freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in an inherently meaningless universe.

One must recognize that every choice made has consequences and shapes our experience of the world. As such, we must approach backpacking with a sense of existential responsibility, recognizing that our actions impact not only ourselves but also the natural world around us.

Sartre raises the white flag, calling the debate meaningless.

I'm inclined to agree.

Despite their differences in perspective, the philosophers reach a consensus that the choice of what to pack is ultimately a personal one, reflective of each individual's values and goals.

Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks.

The decision should be guided by a sense of responsibility and respect towards oneself and the environment. The journey itself is an opportunity for personal growth, learning, and a sense of accomplishment

Ultimately, regardless of what you choose to bring along, the philosophers help us recognize that backpacking is a complex and multifaceted endeavor -- each individual must approach it with a thoughtful and reflective mindset.

From outside the tent, the lantern goes out. After all, tomorrow's another journey.

It's time to make tracks.