[huh] [ggg]
Hmm Perhaps I suggest a better approach then?
Logic is merely a tool. It is the beginning of wisdom, not the end.
The mere statement that you refer to this as an "Argument" immediately sounds more like fighting words.
In the end, most of the soldiers on the battlefield have nothing against their enemies. No, rather, they have pride in their "duty" and a loyalty to their leaders, those who are truly making all the decisions.
It was not my intent to argue with you Kissinger. I prefer to debate or rather "Discuss" opinions and ideas, test them for logical and rational validity (in which case many have little or no experience in doing as such) and attempt to decide which is the most productive course of action or approach to a problem.
Logic has been my favorite tool of thought and action for many years now.
I tried beliefs, they failed to produce consistent results based upon evidence.
I tried spiritualism, which yielded more ambiguity than discernable results, although for the sake of aesthetics its quite appealing in many of its current forms.
All I was left with was arbitrary thought, decision, and action, which I later concluded is mostly supported by basic instincts and "gut" intuition. Both of which are essentially "Out of date" and extremely limited in terms of a testable, repeatable, and reliable method with which to anchor ones life.
Thus I learned Logic, and the whole of existence started to fit into nicely definable pieces.
Granted, I haven't solved the ultimate enigma, or even deciphered what the puzzle is supposed to be, let alone even finding all of the necessary pieces. But I have a tool that continues to serve its function without any inherent flaw of its own, and if used correctly, has thus far consistently produced predictable and accurate results.
"If it aint broke, why fix it?"Until a better system of evaluating thoughts, feelings, and actions in response to perceived reality is discovered or invented, I will stick with what works.
Ironically, many people choose the attitude of "Whatever works best for you..." when in reality, Logic works best for anyone. For those who would claim that statement false, I would ask them to logically explain why.
[B)]
Thus you see the instant dillema, as well as the effects as a result.
You see, everyone uses a sort of "Logic" of there own.
Not many act completely arbitrarily, for such action would render them nearly incapable of function within a civilization that both requires and incorporates intelligence.
No, we indeed do all have or own logic, the problems arise from lack of successful communication, comprehension, and understanding.
Please don't go hitting your head on a brick wall, the wall will mostly likely win.
Rather, indulge me, and yourself too for a moment.
If our opinions vary, perhaps we can establish some fundamental reason(s) why, and endeavor to work together when exchanging ideas.
To merely give up solves nothing, but Its an avenue that I leave open for anyone, including myself.
Id much rather work cooperatively.
Laz said:
"I think it may take a radical leap by a country..."
And that it is. Radical vision is not necessarily completely arbitrary either.
But as you know all too well Laz, when you put the greatest of minds together and tell them that money is of
no concern, they quickly come up with many grand schemes, and their imaginations conjure up all sorts of amazing ideas.
The nice thing about those ideas is: In the hands of the most determined and productive engineers, researchers, and professors, marvelous things do happen!
In the end, the problem is not one of possibility.
It is one of politics.
For decades, it has always been about politics.
I have addressed similar issues about this before, as Im sure you are aware.
John F Kennedy told the people "We will accomplish these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard." And yet, it was a race. We had a competition, a driving force, and
that is why we succeeded.
But as you know well Laz, the engineers and researchers have this drive regardless. They aren't fueled by the passion of ego, attempting to defeat some enemy or seeking prestige for their own namesake, no. They merely view the challenge as a possible path to greater discovery. For those who seek knowledge with a passion, indeed with a unyielding spirit and love, they will work towards it with all their might, even if all they can do is post their ideas on a forum.
"Those in power" know this, and that is why they fear the consequences resulting from the endeavors of those brilliant minded people.
Fear and politics are one of our larger oppositional forces.
And as we all know (or as all of those posting here should know) Fear breeds hate, and hate breeds destruction.
People will always despise what they hate, and always endeavor to eliminate whatever consequences generate their fears, namely, the opposition.
I'm not suggesting that we drop the hammer and declare Capitalism obsolete (which it is in this as well as many other philosophers opinion(s) ) but rather that steps be taken towards development of a different system, one that could eventually render the current one obsolete and replace it with as little resistance and apprehension as possible.
I know it can be done, and others do too.
For those of us who wish to make a better life for ourselves, we simply want freedom and liberty; the trademarks of what this country was originally founded upon.
I only seek to accomplish something greater than becoming a greedy merchant, an underpaid thinker, or an overworked manual laborer.
Entertainment is nice, but we all know that you cant please everyone all the time, and Id much rather be working towards something greater than mere self-indulgence for its own sake.
Is that asking too much?