tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post5088281286055088686..comments2023-12-13T16:57:33.142-06:00Comments on Blogodidact: I Wonder Why...? Reasons of Reason pt. 2Van Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-60033525700212523402007-09-05T22:23:00.000-05:002007-09-05T22:23:00.000-05:00Good comment Ben. Much of what you said is where I...Good comment Ben. Much of what you said is where I'm going in the next posts in the sense that the aspect of Reason often mistaken for the whole of Reason, focused attention, on it's own leads to short term, consensus building with no regard to wider principles of Right and Wrong.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-46724326490974987312007-09-05T05:19:00.000-05:002007-09-05T05:19:00.000-05:00"I wonder why, and Reason is the answering of that..."I wonder why, and Reason is the answering of that, it is the handmaiden of our sense of Wonder. As Reason is based in wonder, it is alive and active within us. On the other hand, as our reasons become based in other reasons and not wonder, it tends to lose that lifeblood of wonder as well – ask any public school student if you doubt me."<BR/><BR/>Good point!<BR/>I think that is a key part of Reason that many overlook, Van.<BR/>Without wonder, Reason is dead. <BR/><BR/>Another thing that sucks away the lifeblood of wonder and, in turn, reason, is a lack of patience.<BR/><BR/>Most lefties, for example, are content to memorize talking points, rather than take the time to reason for themselves.<BR/>To be fair, some conservatives or classic liberals are guilty of this too, and those that do tend to be more moderate or center of the road types.<BR/><BR/>Why? Because they have never asked themselves why they believe certain things.<BR/>They have never reasoned their way through to any conclusions by themselves.<BR/><BR/>Thus they are indecisive, or easily led astray from truth. <BR/><BR/>"Hmmm, that 'sounds' good, they might say."<BR/><BR/>Well, lot's of things 'sound' good, but are they? And why are they?<BR/>What are the short, medium and long term consequences, good and/or bad?<BR/><BR/>Moderates, or fencesitters, almost always follow charisma rather than reason. <BR/><BR/>If a conservative, such as the late Ronald Reagan, has enough charisma, the moderates will follow.<BR/><BR/>Those same moderates followed Bill Clinton. <BR/>Why? Because both men 'sounded' good. <BR/>But there is a world of difference between the two.<BR/><BR/>It's obvious that the majority of voters seldom if ever ask themselves why? How come? What for? <BR/>They fail to use reason, and dig deeper...as deep as it takes to exhaust the line of thought, at least to the utmost of their ability.<BR/><BR/>How easy it is for one who forsakes deep reason and wonder to be led astray!<BR/><BR/>"We can't possibly deport 12 million illegal aliens!" Why can't we?<BR/><BR/>John McCain recently said: "we don't have 12 million handcuffs in America."<BR/><BR/>That's his reason to support amnesty? Puhleaze! <BR/>What about those cheap plastic ties? Surely we can make at least 12 million of those, and we don't even have to bother, although we could, to manufacture 12 million steel handcuffs. <BR/><BR/>But you see the bait and switch? <BR/><BR/>The main problem is securing and locking down the border!<BR/>Stopping the leaks. Taking away the reasons that illegal aliens come here in the first place. <BR/>Enforcing the laws on the books. <BR/>Refusing to 'feel' guilty about cutting off funds for dozens of social programs for non-citizens.<BR/><BR/>I'm certain John McCain knows this, but it's easier to say something glib and clever. <BR/><BR/>What are the consequences John? <BR/>Your first clue that something is seriously wrong with your position is that Ted Kennedy supports it. <BR/><BR/>If you can't even reason that far, there is no reason to elect you the next President.<BR/><BR/>And I have hardly touched on illegal immigration, and already, I have punched several holes in the 'reasoning' of John McCain, President Bush, nearly all Democrats, and a few more Republicans besides.<BR/><BR/>Do we need more immigrants? Probably. If we do, wouldn't it be in our self-interest to invite the best that the world has to offer? With proper background checks? Immigrants that want to be Americans (and striving for all of our highest ideals) more than the failed culture that they were born into? <BR/><BR/>Okay, rant off. I hope I touched a bit on what you're talking about, Van. I simply ran out of time to keep going on, but this is a fascinating series! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-86155306291537914852007-09-04T07:42:00.000-05:002007-09-04T07:42:00.000-05:00Allotetraploid,The labor day weekend turned out to...Allotetraploid,<BR/><BR/>The labor day weekend turned out to be more laborious than expected... but I should put up my next post probably today or tomorrow.<BR/><BR/>Saw your post lastnight and it fits in well with my next one - stay tuned!Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-77486559330002310882007-09-02T01:59:00.000-05:002007-09-02T01:59:00.000-05:00Ive posted my reply hereIve posted my reply <A HREF="http://allotetraploid.se/?p=187" REL="nofollow">here</A>Allotetraploidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09930183638460669684noreply@blogger.com