--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, new_morning_blank_slate
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Curtis,
> I agree with the general point that using words in discussions with
> others that have a perjorative connonation -- to them -- is not
> usually helpful to the tone and fruitfulness of the discussion. Often
> this occurs when there is not a common understanding of meaning.
> Reading your recent posts /cites from Kurtz helped me sharpen up my
> definition of "magical thinking" -- as I hope, perhaps naievly (that
> they read it), it has for others
>
> And I don't think the term is necessarily pejoritive when understood.
> Some ascribe to its merits and value, others do not. Its becomes a
> simple statement of fact about someones mode of inquiry for one who has
> "an actual ignorance of the natural causes of events in question,
> ... the assumption that, in the absence of an obvious natural cause,
> there must be an unknown and un-natural cause. ... These two factors
> in conjunction allow for the development of ad hoc explanations, often
> relying upon an assumption that correlation demonstrates causation.
> ... This magical thinking is certainly irrational, in that it
> deliberately bases conclusions upon a clear lack of demonstrable
> evidence and without regard for logical coherence or consistency. ...
> but why are people tempted to accept these stories? The explanation is
> twofold - first our innate creativity, and second our penchant for
> seeking patterns. Together, they can lead people to false beliefs. "
> (Kurtz)
>
> There are those on this list that openly proclaim, or demonstrate a
> strong belief in via, their writings that:
>
> 1) correlation demonstrates causation
>
> 2) in the absence of an obvious natural cause, there must be an
> unknown and un-natural cause
> +++ In the absence of an obvious natural cause, there must be an
unknown and natural cause otherwise what you see isn't happening.
Like the rest of us, Mr. Kurtz can make observations that
reflect his opinion and don't have great merit. N.
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