tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post523431710798909621..comments2023-12-13T16:57:33.142-06:00Comments on Blogodidact: Spreading the Poison of the Ivy League - Reasons of Reason pt.4Van Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-29839383686154554112007-12-06T00:01:00.000-06:002007-12-06T00:01:00.000-06:00I finally got some time to write down a reply and ...I finally got some time to write down a reply and it can be found <A HREF="http://allotetraploid.se/?p=282" REL="nofollow">here</A>. I noticed that you in the meantime had gotten time to write yet another post, and I hope we won’t have to wait so long for my next retort.Allotetraploidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09930183638460669684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-57027968409686012122007-10-28T19:55:00.000-05:002007-10-28T19:55:00.000-05:00Actually, I don't know how you can make it much sh...Actually, I don't know how you can make it much shorter than it is, Van.<BR/>I meant there was so much to digest and ponder. <BR/>For instance, the "tools instead of thinking" part you just highlighted.<BR/>Certainly one limits the very tools one uses (reason, rationality, logic, etc.)<BR/>if one limits how large the truth is that those tools derive from.<BR/><BR/>Can't wait for the Greeks! :^)<BR/>Okay, I can wait but I don't like waiting.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-63252550406182842702007-10-22T19:53:00.000-05:002007-10-22T19:53:00.000-05:00Ben said "Finished reading, and re-reading some pa...Ben said "Finished reading, and re-reading some parts."<BR/><BR/>Yeah... about that... I was on a roll and typed out about 20 pages... but since this IS a blog, it Ought to be shorter than a book, so I whittled away about 2/3 of it... but I think a little polishing is still needed, seems a bit disjointed here and there.<BR/>Ah well, sorry about that, it was either that, or wait another month till I had time to whittle and sand it smooth....<BR/><BR/>"My point is, same as yours, if there is no Absolute there is no good or evil, for there is nothing to measure it against."<BR/><BR/>I'm thinking there are two central issues, first and foremost, do you recognize that all is one, there is but One Truth, and all smaller truths are integrated fractions of it, and second, do <I>You</I> do your thinking, or do you seek to use tools, whether 'logic' or 'revealed commandments' to do your thinking for you. Reason requires that you engage in the responsibility of full perspective thinking, and neither theist nor atheist can escape that without shrinking their thought to little 'r' reason.<BR/><BR/>I'm seeing time starting to open up a bit here... if so, the next post's will follow soon - thanks for sticking it out!Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-19073615277661202982007-10-21T04:27:00.000-05:002007-10-21T04:27:00.000-05:00Hi Van!Finished reading, and re-reading some parts...Hi Van!<BR/>Finished reading, and re-reading some parts.<BR/>It seems strange that a-theists should even use the word "ought" in a moral sense, or the words good and evil for that matter, and some do not, although eventually, they all have a "line" that even they won't cross, unless they are sociopaths (and those who have religion or spirituality also have sociopaths).<BR/><BR/>But that's only irt others, for even the most malignant narcissist has a line s(he) won't cross irt themselves.<BR/><BR/>IOW's, the most evil and most vile still recognize some "form" of good and evil, although their understanding only pertains to themselves.<BR/><BR/>But I digress. My point is, same as yours, if there is no Absolute there is no good or evil, for there is nothing to measure it against.<BR/><BR/>And also, when there is no Absolute there is no Objective, meaning everything is relative and subjective, including what scientists might say is objective, for where does "meaning"; of words, numbers, or anything come from? <BR/>Whoever happens to be the most powerful at that moment.<BR/><BR/>Popularity may or may not play into it, but it hardly makes a difference in what right or wrong is.<BR/><BR/>Of course, you amply cover that when you talk about hierarchy, which still exists in a crude and transitory manner when chaos and anarchy reigns, but, as history proves, there is no advancement, scientific or otherwise among such cultures (the Muslim world is a good example of this, and to a lesser degree, Communism, although for different reasons).<BR/><BR/>Yes, I know that isn't pure examples of anarchy, but the chaos is very demonstratable.<BR/><BR/>And the absence of liberty. <BR/>But I don't want to get ahead of where you left off, Van! :^)<BR/><BR/>In any sense, those that arbitrarily deny any possibility of the Absolute/God/Creator/Objective, etc., can't give a purely logical reason for such concepts/words as absolute/relative, true/false, good/evil, right/wrong, morals, ethics, etc., etc.<BR/><BR/>Many will try, but really, they could never "prove" anything without the existance of the Absolute, for only what each individual "I" decides "matters", insofar as anything matters, which is to say nothing at all.<BR/>"All for one and...well, yeah, me!"<BR/><BR/>Everything just is. Period.<BR/>Unless you don't think that, but...aw hell, who cares? <BR/>Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow (or today, or whenever) I die.<BR/><BR/>Then again, without liberty...<BR/>Alright, I'll shut my trap, Van. :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-2241625088313371742007-10-18T21:23:00.000-05:002007-10-18T21:23:00.000-05:00"...fact she just got it off today "the cast, that..."...fact she just got it off today "<BR/><BR/>the cast, that is...Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-65135960768634674912007-10-18T21:22:00.000-05:002007-10-18T21:22:00.000-05:00Like I said, I wish I had time to make it shorter!...Like I said, I wish I had time to make it shorter! Looking forward to your comments.<BR/><BR/>And thanks Allo, she's doing good, as a matter of fact she just got it off today - she wasn't too thrilled to hear 'no cartwheels till November', but she's doing good.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-85411635297065775472007-10-18T19:23:00.000-05:002007-10-18T19:23:00.000-05:00A lengthy post indeed, but with quite a few intere...A lengthy post indeed, but with quite a few interesting remarks. I’ll get back to you with an answer as soon as time allows. Btw, I hope everything worked out well with the fractured child!<BR/>/AllotetraploidAllotetraploidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09930183638460669684noreply@blogger.com