Re: virus: Re: Social Metaphysics

David McFadzean (david@lucifer.com)
Mon, 29 Sep 1997 12:59:25 -0600


At 10:23 PM 9/28/97 -0700, Tim Rhodes wrote:
>On Sun, 28 Sep 1997, David McFadzean wrote:
>
>> OK, I'm looking for a noun to describe deviation from the skeptical position,
>> where the degree of belief that X is true of false is not commensurate with
>> the evidence for and against X. Any ideas?
>
>"conviction"?

I think that describes the types of beliefs that someone might have if they
used X, where X is the alternative to skepticism that I'm trying to name
(without using the "F" word :-)

>> I'm also looking for adjective to describe behavior that it the same you
>> would observe if the behaver is rational agent with reasonable goals. How
>> the agent actually generates the behavior is irrelevant to this concept.
>> Again, I'm taking suggestions.
>
>"reasonable"?

Yes, but I got some objections when I suggested that instincts can be reasonable.
I got even more flak for using "rational" even though the dictionary definition
"in accordance with the principles of logic or reason" sounds right to me.

>> As for reality, I just think it is important to differentiate what actually
>> is the case from what seems to be the case, acknowledging of course that
>> the former can only be inferred from the latter.
>
>How's `bout: Implied-Objective Reality?

Too cumbersome? How about physical reality?

--
David McFadzean                 david@lucifer.com
Memetic Engineer                http://www.lucifer.com/~david/
Church of Virus                 http://www.lucifer.com/virus/