[lbo-talk] Rationality of the Masses

[Jeffrey Fisher]

On 6/8/05, martin <mschiller at pobox.com> wrote:
> On Jun 8, 2005, at 12:56 PM, Jeffrey Fisher wrote:
> 
> > now, if we don't want to change people's minds, that's another story.
> > but isn't that what we want?
> >
> > and if we don't want to do it *in a religious mode* (i.e., by
> > "converting" people from religion to . . . what? atheism? communism?
> > what?), then it cannot be some bizarre, manipulative appeal to
> > unconscious needs, but by trying to open up the genuine thinking that
> > helps people see flaws in their own logic.
> 
> The idea of 'god' needs to be redefined in terms that can be accepted
> by EVERYone. The definition needs to be one that is familiar and
> comfortable as well as known and accepted. Defining 'god' as the
> unknown

do you mean "defining god as the unknowable", rather than "the
unknown"? if that's the case, then i might be able to live with that,
but let's acknowledge that the definition is one of the very points of
contestation. you can't sidestep anything with it, i don't think. but
that's not an objection to the definition or to adopting it.


> is both familiar, and comfortable. 

actually, you don't think that's rather scary?


> Unless you're a know it
> all. 

or unless you have scripture purporting to be from said "god". then
you're giving up a lot to give up that scripture.


> And the definition of 'god' suddenly becomes more personal,
> since we each have borders to our knowledge. 

i admit i don't follow the logic, here. for many people, god functions
to overcome those limits. you're taking that away. that won't come
easily, i don't think.


> And science, the study
> of the unknown, takes on new significance.
> 

and here's the real rub, because it's clear you DO mean "the unknown"
rather than "the unknowable", and this confusion of religion and
science is precisely what won't work.

imo.

j

-- 
http://www.brainmortgage.com/

Among medieval and modern philosophers, anxious to establish
the religious significance of God, an unfortunate habit has prevailed
of paying to Him metaphysical compliments.

  - Alfred North Whitehead