Reason
“There are no contradictions in reality. Only incorrect premises”. - Ayn Rand.
Ayn Rand, author of Atlas Shrugged, believed in reason. She believed in it so much, she labeled it “Man’s tool of survival”. She obviously believed in Evolution and therefore concluded that Man would not have evolved if it weren’t for his ability to Reason.
I agree with her. Logic is my god. Almost more powerful than any god, it is also my referee. When I get in a discussion with someone who disagrees with me, I use logic to make my points. I don’t always expect, but I do always hope, that my “partner” in the discussion does the same. If someone can show me a mistake in my thinking, I am more than impressed, I’m grateful.
The universe literally has an infinite amount of knowledge. Even if the universe is finite, new discoveries are made every day. The base of knowledge is constantly expanding. It is impossible for anyone to know everything. I understand this and care to make certain that the things I believe, actually are true. If I base a belief on an incorrect premise, then my belief system is incorrect. This is where mistakes in life are made. There are no contradictions in life, only incorrect premises.
I search out incorrect premises. I call it Demon Hunting. It’s kind of fun. I take any thought that makes me uncomfortable for any reason, and try to find the reason. Logic is the only tool I have ever discovered that actually works.
I have changed my mind on a variety of beliefs. I used to be a Christian (trust me, I didn’t convert to Islam). I used to be against abortions. I used to be in favor of “peaceful people crossing borders freely” (as on the Libertarian quiz). I thought about all of these issues, argued for them with people who responded logically, and changed my mind on all of them. I think I hold a more consistent position now, with my core principles, than I did then. I feel great about “losing” these arguments. (Which I now “win”, at least according to how Referee Reason interprets the call).
I am greatly frustrated with the debate over the War. Not just Iraq, but everything related to the war. There is plenty of dissent, but very little logic. I think some issues that come up have merit for discussion. For example, the cost of the war. It is mentioned in every article that I have ever read regarding the war opposition, that is anywhere close to readable. (Some of the anti-war rants are unbearable). Obviously, the anti-war crowd is concerned about the cost of fighting the war. I agree that this topic merits discussion.
If the United States was spending $3 billion and losing soldiers every month in a war without a foreseeable end to take over Cameroon, I would be the most vocal critic. I would use my logic and smart-ass attitude to destroy (verbally, I’m not at jihad) any idiot that tried to justify that war. I would ask him what is the cost of Not fighting this war? The answer would be far less than $3 billion and 100 soldiers per month. What is the cost of not fighting the war in Iraq? Or the full War on Terror for that matter?
I don’t know the answer. It makes me uncomfortable because I don’t know the answer. My gut says that the cost would be great. September 11th cost a few billion dollars and 3000 lives. So far the war in Iraq has cost several billion dollars and less than 3000 lives. Is it worth it? I would really like a good debate.
Back to Ayn Rand’s point, if we don’t use reason to figure this out, it may be our survival at stake. Bumper sticker slogans and revenge politics are no substitute for reason. Our enemy is clear in his intention to kill us. He only lacks the means, not the will. Do we fiddle while Rome burns? Is Rome burning? Is this just a Zionist conspiracy to steal the oil from the Middle East? I welcome all debates on these topics. I have Demons to kill. They may be my own, or they may be in the head of another human who has chosen to use his own tool of survival. Either way, the world is better off with one less demon in it.
Ayn Rand, author of Atlas Shrugged, believed in reason. She believed in it so much, she labeled it “Man’s tool of survival”. She obviously believed in Evolution and therefore concluded that Man would not have evolved if it weren’t for his ability to Reason.
I agree with her. Logic is my god. Almost more powerful than any god, it is also my referee. When I get in a discussion with someone who disagrees with me, I use logic to make my points. I don’t always expect, but I do always hope, that my “partner” in the discussion does the same. If someone can show me a mistake in my thinking, I am more than impressed, I’m grateful.
The universe literally has an infinite amount of knowledge. Even if the universe is finite, new discoveries are made every day. The base of knowledge is constantly expanding. It is impossible for anyone to know everything. I understand this and care to make certain that the things I believe, actually are true. If I base a belief on an incorrect premise, then my belief system is incorrect. This is where mistakes in life are made. There are no contradictions in life, only incorrect premises.
I search out incorrect premises. I call it Demon Hunting. It’s kind of fun. I take any thought that makes me uncomfortable for any reason, and try to find the reason. Logic is the only tool I have ever discovered that actually works.
I have changed my mind on a variety of beliefs. I used to be a Christian (trust me, I didn’t convert to Islam). I used to be against abortions. I used to be in favor of “peaceful people crossing borders freely” (as on the Libertarian quiz). I thought about all of these issues, argued for them with people who responded logically, and changed my mind on all of them. I think I hold a more consistent position now, with my core principles, than I did then. I feel great about “losing” these arguments. (Which I now “win”, at least according to how Referee Reason interprets the call).
I am greatly frustrated with the debate over the War. Not just Iraq, but everything related to the war. There is plenty of dissent, but very little logic. I think some issues that come up have merit for discussion. For example, the cost of the war. It is mentioned in every article that I have ever read regarding the war opposition, that is anywhere close to readable. (Some of the anti-war rants are unbearable). Obviously, the anti-war crowd is concerned about the cost of fighting the war. I agree that this topic merits discussion.
If the United States was spending $3 billion and losing soldiers every month in a war without a foreseeable end to take over Cameroon, I would be the most vocal critic. I would use my logic and smart-ass attitude to destroy (verbally, I’m not at jihad) any idiot that tried to justify that war. I would ask him what is the cost of Not fighting this war? The answer would be far less than $3 billion and 100 soldiers per month. What is the cost of not fighting the war in Iraq? Or the full War on Terror for that matter?
I don’t know the answer. It makes me uncomfortable because I don’t know the answer. My gut says that the cost would be great. September 11th cost a few billion dollars and 3000 lives. So far the war in Iraq has cost several billion dollars and less than 3000 lives. Is it worth it? I would really like a good debate.
Back to Ayn Rand’s point, if we don’t use reason to figure this out, it may be our survival at stake. Bumper sticker slogans and revenge politics are no substitute for reason. Our enemy is clear in his intention to kill us. He only lacks the means, not the will. Do we fiddle while Rome burns? Is Rome burning? Is this just a Zionist conspiracy to steal the oil from the Middle East? I welcome all debates on these topics. I have Demons to kill. They may be my own, or they may be in the head of another human who has chosen to use his own tool of survival. Either way, the world is better off with one less demon in it.
posted by BoiseJag at 9:50 PM
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