Orlando Here,
Sorry, I may have missed this in another email...also please excuse my
ignorance. But could someone please explain in some detail Descarte's
reductionist duck postulate. Where would I find it in the writings of
Descarte? Thanks much.
O
Douglas Roberts wrote:
Günther,
One of the foremost historical reductionists (Descarte) twice
demonstrated blind egotism in his "Reductionist Duck" postulate, as
follows:
1) that reductionism did not apply to humans, and
2) that when applied to non-humans, the non-human could be reduced to
an automata.
I'm not sure which I find most disappointing: the fact of the egoism
amply demonstrated by this postulate, or the blind acceptance of it by
so many other modern "reductionists".
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, though. I mean after all, this is
the same gene pool (evolved 360 years) that elected George W. Bush as
our United States president.
Twice.
As to your question regarding a non-egoistic explanation: recognition
of the fact that we simply do not yet understand enough about the
complexities of organic intelligence to be making stupid, simplistic
reductionist claims about its nature would be a good start...
Cheers,
--Doug
(BTW, why are so many Santa Feans sitting in front of their computers
today, instead of being outside enjoying this glorious fall weather?
I plan on immediately correcting this situation, myself.)
On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 11:29 AM, Günther Greindl
<[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:
Doug,
Why is reductionism simplistic and egotistic? What would a
non-simplistic and non-egotistic explanation be?
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Orlando Leibovitz
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.orlandoleibovitz.com
Studio Telephone: 505-820-6183
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