*"feelings come first and tilt the mental playing field on which reasons and arguments compete. if people want to reach a conclusion, they can usually find a way to do so."*
*-jonathan haidt* On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 2:10 PM, CrossBow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > It does sound like the reality of how we do things apart from the theory of > to say everyone can be a freethinker. I guess if your objective is to see > through the lens of logic at all times...that would be very difficult or > perhaps impossible - because can we really divorce ourselves from the > influence of emotion? I don't believe so. For instance, when "fight or > flight" kicks in logic can fly out the window, so I guess I am trying to put > some accounting on biology having divisive but ever present effects that > have evolved to serve our survival best possible ways:) > > Hey, how about this...."Freethinkers insist on using reason to arrive at > logical conclusions to the best of thier individual capabilities". > > On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 1:59 PM, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > >> >> Hi y'all - well if that is true, everyone is a freethinker and the >> definition should be adjusted to reflect that, such as: "Freethinkers >> insist on using reason, logic, and evidence as the bases for forming >> reasonable and justified beliefs on some occasions and as it suits >> their needs." >> >> On Oct 29, 1:46 pm, CrossBow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> > I have to disagree Cap'n. I think personal experiences can close our >> minds >> > in some areas and open them in others. Could it be pain avoidance? for >> > whatever reasoning flaw, some things I can apply logic to and others, >> > emotion plays so much interference I can't think:) Where the >> logic/emotion >> > switch is...I can only make a vulgar guess.. >> > >> > though I would guess that some people overall are less likely to think >> > logically of anything and hide their heads in the sand.... >> > >> > >> > >> > On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 1:39 PM, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> wrote: >> > >> > > Hi y'all - I'm interested in your claim that we can be "freethinkers >> > > in some areas of life." Do I take that to mean that some people that >> > > we mutually know can think freely about sport or politics but not >> > > about religion? If we assume, and Aaron and I both do, that >> > > Freethought is a process, then you propose that we have the abiltiy to >> > > turn on and off this process. That means we have partial or part time >> > > freethinkers. Personally, I can't go along with that. I've talked to >> > > many christians who seem like freethinkers until we get onto the >> > > subject of religion. I don't think they are turning off their >> > > freethought process, I think they just haven't got it, and my >> > > assumption that they are freethinkers when discussing politics etc. is >> > > erroneous. >> > >> > > On Oct 29, 12:04 pm, stem cell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> > > > I agree with the point made about coming to a conclusion based on >> > > > evidence (and/or lack of such). In some sense we are all closed >> > > > minded...on certain topics. However, "Freethought" in Memphis >> > > > Freethought Alliance (MFA) is not just about "Freethought" on >> god(s). >> > > > For instance, there are things like certain evolutionary processes >> and >> > > > adaptations, quantum mechanics, neurosciences, etc. where >> freethought >> > > > is a good thing. It is a process...free to think in various areas. >> > > > MFA is not just composed of atheist who are certain there is no >> > > > god...or however you want to define that term. I deny the holy >> > > > spirit. How's that for closed minded? It is not a bad thing. >> Sagan >> > > > said that one should not be so open minded that your brains fall >> out. >> > > > Good advice. But that implies that there are areas in which haveing >> a >> > > > closed mind on certain things is a good thing. We are all >> > > > freethinkers in some areas of life...no matter who you are. Just >> some >> > > > of us go one god further. :-) >> > >> > > > stemcell >> > >> > > > On Oct 29, 10:02 am, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> > >> > > > > Though I call myself a freethinker I may no longer actually be a >> > > > > freethinker. I have been so completely atheist for so long that >> if I >> > > were presented >> > > > > with conclusive evidence of the existence of a god I would not >> likely >> > > accept it. >> > > > > I would find it to be more likely that someone had dropped LSD >> in my >> > > beer >> > > > > or that I had developed a severe brain chemical imbalance or >> > > something. That >> > > > > would be far more likely than proof of a supernatural god. I >> think >> > > Aaron is >> > > > > a freethinker because he seems open to new evidence. I think I >> have >> > > become >> > > > > about as closed minded as the xians. I clearly was a freethinker >> and >> > > I did >> > > > > arrive at my conclusions as a freethinker but now that they are >> > > conclusions I >> > > > > don't know that I can truly call myself a freethinker. What do >> you >> > > all think? >> > >> > > > > J. >> > > > > **************Plan your next getaway with AOL Travel. Check out >> > > Today's Hot >> > > > > 5 Travel Deals! >> > > > > ( >> http://travel.aol.com/discount-travel?ncid=emlcntustrav00000001)-Hidequotedtext >> - >> > >> > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - >> > >> > - Show quoted text - >> >> >> > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
