Re: virus: Faith, Logic and Purpose

Tim Rhodes (proftim@speakeasy.org)
Tue, 11 Nov 1997 23:37:36 -0800 (PST)


On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, David McFadzean wrote:

> >>Don't you think people in general can learn to act more intelligently?
> >
> >And with greater kindness! Yes, David, the world can be a better place!
> >But there are many ways of defining intelligent, and none of them are
> >"strictly rational". ;-)
>
> True, but I don't know how to teach people how to be more creative
> and kinder. I can teach them to make better decisions rationally.

Ahhh! Nail on the head time!!! Sort of the "I'm good at math so actors
suck" thing? (Sorry, I know you didn'y mean it that way.) But can't we
have both?

> >>If they can, don't you think that would create a better future?
> >
> >Of course! What makes you think that <faith> isn't a worthy tool
> >in this collective endevour?
>
> Because <faith> will prevent me from having any influence (if I
> only use means that are ethical in my view). <faith> closes the
> channel for constructive criticism. Isn't that reason enough?

Reason enough to chose another channel, I'd say. Isn't that the logical
choice here, David?

What were your thoughts on rationally deciding to be irrational, again
BTW?

-Prof. Tim