Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:28 pm
Morpheus,
I couldn't agree more with everything you say. I don't deny the spiritual nature of man - that to be human requires an appreciation of nature, but I'm not making these arguments on spiritual, emotional or sentimental grounds. I refuse to be the climate change protester at the make poverty history rally - even though on sentimental grounds I may be sympatheitc to both causes. The thing is, on rational grounds I can resolve the contradiction. That's the balanced position. I should preface my next remark by saying that I truly believe you are a good person - and also that I believe people are on the whole good, but it's easy to put aside the spirtiual, emotional or setimental when it suits - but apprently impossible when it doesn't. The virtue of this approach is the demonstration that it's possible, that continued survival is possible - that it's not inevitable that we follow this path to self-destruction. I fully realize that it's a spiritual, emotional and sentimental fact - indeed, almost an emotional singularity. I have certainly found myself drawn inexorably to the conclusion that man must think and act in terms of the most valid information available.
If nothing else, I think these ideas open up fresh intellectual ground - which, to my frustration supposed intellects have been relucatant to colonize. For example, what is the role and nature of spirituality in a world with a future? I think your ideas should fare very well.
mb.
I couldn't agree more with everything you say. I don't deny the spiritual nature of man - that to be human requires an appreciation of nature, but I'm not making these arguments on spiritual, emotional or sentimental grounds. I refuse to be the climate change protester at the make poverty history rally - even though on sentimental grounds I may be sympatheitc to both causes. The thing is, on rational grounds I can resolve the contradiction. That's the balanced position. I should preface my next remark by saying that I truly believe you are a good person - and also that I believe people are on the whole good, but it's easy to put aside the spirtiual, emotional or setimental when it suits - but apprently impossible when it doesn't. The virtue of this approach is the demonstration that it's possible, that continued survival is possible - that it's not inevitable that we follow this path to self-destruction. I fully realize that it's a spiritual, emotional and sentimental fact - indeed, almost an emotional singularity. I have certainly found myself drawn inexorably to the conclusion that man must think and act in terms of the most valid information available.
If nothing else, I think these ideas open up fresh intellectual ground - which, to my frustration supposed intellects have been relucatant to colonize. For example, what is the role and nature of spirituality in a world with a future? I think your ideas should fare very well.
mb.