Theos-Talk Archives (October 1999 Message tt00099)

In a message dated 10/20/99 8:14:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time, WLR7D@aol.com 
writes:

<< Give me an example of where good reasoning has harmed man.
  >>

Randy,

First, my definition of "good" reasoning. It must include the functions of 
both sides of the brain, conscious and subconscious, rational and 
abstractional, verbal and nonverbal, deductive AND inductive. I think this 
may be where we are having trouble understanding each other. 

<<The other stuff--visions, holy books, mentors, tradition, 
authority, religions, etc.--gets us in trouble since it usually shifts the 
revelation of truth to someone other than ourselves who through casuistry 
does great damage to man. (This does not say such sources may not bring us 
truth by appealing to our reasoning powers.)  But since these others always 
seems to ultimately have there own interests most at heart, the followers 
eventually suffer.>>

Oh my, that's a very broad brush you are painting with. It suggests all the 
areas that you do not experience directly and are willing to write off, as 
not useful or irrelevant. Be careful Randy, here lies the path of the cynic, 
a creature quite different from the skeptic.

<<Give me an example of where good reasoning has harmed man.>>

As I said before, Good reasoning does not harm humans, but faulty reasoning 
has. What I hear you saying is a defense of faulty reasoning. Purely 
intellectual reasoning (rationalizing) without its intuitive (abstractional) 
counterpart is faulty and destined to cause more problems than it solves. 

1: The solution to human violence is, more violence. (wars & capital 
punishment)
2 Antisocial behavior of the poor is solved by legislation passed by the 
wealthy (laws, laws and more laws, all empty of insight)
3: The answer to the costliest and poorest public education program in 
history, is to throw more money at it. (We are graduating an endless stream 
of  functional illiterates) 

Will this do for starters? 

Louis



-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.