Stathis P wrote:1-14-07: John,
So if a child comes to you and asks what shape the Earth is, will you reply that some think it's flat, and some think it's spherical, and for the sake of not being thought ignorant by the majority maybe he should say it's spherical, but in fact there is no reason to prefer one theory in this regard over another? Stathis Cute, I certainly would consider the mental level of the "child" and give an appropriately formulated information not contradictory to my (your) present 2007AD cognitive (science?) inventory. I think your question arose from the controversy upon my (poorly expressed) liberal stance about considering everybody's belief system as his own/entire mental world, maybe different from mine (or yours) and in most cases impenetrable from another belief system because the values and even the concepts (e.g. evidence?) are differently formulated, accepted and understood. Our today's scientific mindset IS a belief system - more than just one, this list is a good example for that. I did not reflect to questions like "which one is good, better, worse, because value systems are identified within the belief system and I would not 'judge' the values of another system based upon the values in my system. A missionary may do so, or a fascist dictator.. . Some may hold it as an ethical norm to 'help/protect' others, while in another 'culture' to help someone into "salvation" may be the ultimate good - no matter by what means. "Not to hurt"? depends what one considers hurting. Exorcists have quite different ideas about it. I may disagree with them, but accept that they are part of the human varieties. Right or wrong (for me). Reasons to prefer one position over the other? of course. I pretend to be a pretty well trained so called *natural* scientist (although I dislike the term) and formulated my views about the (physical?) world during the 2nd part of the 20th century. I am still a 'member' of this reductionist worldview, however I question some fundamental concepts (terms?) as originating from conclusions in a model based observation and applied to a wider view. Best regards John. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
