01-25-2010, 01:38 AM
Hi,
When the experts disagree, you have two choices. Wait for a consensus before forming an opinion or going to the source itself. If you chose neither, then at least you need to be honest (at least with yourself) and admit your relative ignorance.
Gives an insight into the beginning of education. And probably of religion.;)
Oh, and by the way, *nothing* separates us from animals.
Besides, if and when the modern superstitions join Gilgamesh, Thor, Zeus, etc., in myths and legends, the books will still make interesting reading, just as the Iliad and Odyssey still make good reading three thousand plus years after the fall of Troy has had any significance. It's called intellectual curiosity.
--Pete
Quote:Not studying the original texts yourself does not exclude discussing the findings of others. And there is nothing wrong with relying on work from others, without checking everything they did for yourself.Yes, but if the others disagree with each other, then how do you form your opinions? By going with the ones who agree with your preconceived notions? That's prejudice. By going with the ones that express themselves the best? That's elitism. By going with the ones from your nation, your tribe, your religion? That's chauvinism.
When the experts disagree, you have two choices. Wait for a consensus before forming an opinion or going to the source itself. If you chose neither, then at least you need to be honest (at least with yourself) and admit your relative ignorance.
Quote:We humans do this all the time, it's what separates us from animals. It's what allows us to 'stand on the shoulders of giants'.Actually, when a chimp is presented with a problem and a number of ways of solving it, he will stay with the first way that works. If he's then integrated with a group that does not know how to solve that problem, he will teach them his way, and the group will, almost invariably, use his technique.
Gives an insight into the beginning of education. And probably of religion.;)
Oh, and by the way, *nothing* separates us from animals.
Quote:Why would we need to re-read age-old books, when the useful knowledge contained in them has been integrated into our societies already?Because, along with the useful knowledge, the harmful superstitions in those books have also been integrated into our societies. The adherents to those superstitions claim that those books are their justification. As long as this remains the case, we opponents of those superstitions need to study those books, if for no other reason than to know our enemy.
Besides, if and when the modern superstitions join Gilgamesh, Thor, Zeus, etc., in myths and legends, the books will still make interesting reading, just as the Iliad and Odyssey still make good reading three thousand plus years after the fall of Troy has had any significance. It's called intellectual curiosity.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?