-----Original Message-----
From: Deron Stewart [SMTP:deron@direct.ca] Sent: Sunday, February 07, 1999 3:17 PM To: 'virus@lucifer.com' Subject: Truth at all costs (was RE: virus: from the Skeptic'snewsletter...)
A thought related to the "skeptic's conundrum"...
What if the truth is ugly?
"The truth shall set you free" implies that it is as ugly as beautiful
What evidence is there that beauty is less important than truth? If that evidence is lacking, there is no rational basis for believing ugly truths at the expense of beautiful lies.
Freedom is the reason for not making aesthetic judgements regarding truth. It is about loving yourself and accepting reality whether you like it or not.
It is probably no coincidence that the young and healthy are the most attracted to the idea of unalloyed truth...(and unalloyed Ayn Rand)
What if the truth is useless?
It is not - reason requires it
What if the truth is boring?
It often is - oh well
Truth, yes. Truth at all costs, no.
Truth has no cost
Deron
(btw, how many people here have read Kurt Vonnegut's _Cat's Cradle_? That should be required reading for the list in general, and this thread in particular...)
I havn't but Ill put it on the list
Bill Roh
Sodom
>From: David McFadzean [SMTP:morpheus@lucifer.com]
>>From: Richard Brodie <richard@brodietech.com>
>>That comment[1] is the key that unlocks Level 3.
>Perhaps Wade's comment[2] is the key that unlocks Level 4. ;-)
>[1] >>The lie which skeptics tell themselves is that the truth
>>always, in the end, makes things better. Always.
>[2] >That comment is just plain piled-high bullshit.