RE: virus: Re: Social Metaphysics

Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Sat, 4 Oct 1997 14:32:37 -0700 (PDT)


On Fri, 3 Oct 1997, David McFadzean wrote:

> I wonder how many (good) teachers tell their students, "If only you
> would check your rationality at the door, you would believe what I'm
> saying."?

Just about every acting, dance, painting, poetry or sculpure teacher I
ever had said more or less that (though never in those words). "Get the
technique first, then you can apply theory to it," was the way they
usually introduced the concept.

> To be honest, I think that is absolutely true. If I could
> get rid of my rationality I could indeed believe anything and everything.

If you would believe "anything and everything" without having your
<rationality> then you have a much weaker internal structure than I have
given you credit for, David. I'm sorry I asked you to give it up--it was
like asking a child to go to sleep without its favorite teddy bear.
Nothing less than cruel on my part!

> But I have to ask, is that really what I should want?

I hate "should"s. What you "should" do or want or need or fear or hate or
love are buy or sell your business. Why "should" I, or anyone else, give
up on "faith"(generally) either?

-Prof. Tim