RP Singh, I was not differentiating myself from the madmen of whom I spoke. I have seen the potential madness in my own heart and soul and it inhabits every one of us. The only difference is in self-control.
Birds are not a good example. Actually nothing works as a good example of a species acting according to its nature because any species can be led or taught to bend against its nature, genetic or environmental. I feed birds. The numerous species which attend my morning feasts have all bent their nature in the face of easy food. In that sense, every living thing is corrupt. Nor do I see our species as bound by nature. We've overcome just about every physical boundary this planet has presented to us and we have not yet come close to the boundaries of our powers and abilities. We have set our feet on other worlds and plumbed the depths of earth. We have created life and found ways to change the very nature of offspring. I don't see the human species as being very much bound by anything. The universe as we know it emerged from the big bang. But whether that was out of nothing we do not know. The extent of our knowledge is that a big bang occurred and the universe as we know it to be is expanding outward from that event horizon. We simply don't know what was before the BB. It might have been another universe or another dimension or even something we cannot find words or thoughts to describe. Further down in reply to Douglas, you note that you believe in one God. Can you tell me what makes that one god more viable than the dozens of gods held in esteem by the Greeks, who have the reputation and honer of being the fathers of the modern republic and democratic states. Wouldn't you say that they might have had a better grasp of gods than we today? This is addressed to all who are considering the question of free will. It is an exercise in futility because any definition one can produce can be countered by the suggestion that that definition was pre-ordained and destined to be. Orn -- Why does that question so need an answer. Cannot human beings hold dichotomy and paradox in the palms of our hands? Actually from the perspective of every other species we know, we ourselves are a tremendously complex paradox. Allan -- There is no error in being childlike except when it is indulged by an adult at a time when it is incumbent upon that adult to think and act like an adult. Childlike states are reserved for children and adults during leisure time. Being childlike when one is called upon to behave like a mature adult is immature and childish. Douglas -- Do you mean actually being in thrall to anger? Would perhaps a better description be being in its grip. I have anger issues and I would be hard put to describe myself as being in thrall when I am gripped by anger. It is an emotion I detest. It does not make me feel good at all.
