[Paul C]

Originally Posted by julien

I have noticed this proclivity to quote Steve whenever one's arguments lack substance; by reading Steve's articles I have found that he has a strong charisma and thus can exerce (involontarily) a lot of control on people.

Originally I was going to explain why skeptism in itself may also prove unreasonable when taken to its end. But instead, considering that many here might want a more indepth look and what I mean (and save me the time in typing it all out, maybe I'm slightly lazy), I suggested that article, for your entertainment and considerations.

And of course, you proclaim that the arguement lacks substance because of the reason that it doesn't match up with your standards of what should be considered factual or not.
Who knows for sure? So spare me the assumptions that I accept all blindly, please. I like to sometimes play around with 'obscure' ideas, see if they have any potential before dismissing them.

Originally Posted by julien

When you say what you've just said above, I tend to think of those people saying "but it's in the Bible" whenever they have to justify some oddity.

Ohh, don't get me started there, one thing I cant stand are the fanatical of the religious community (although a few I know are church-goers, they're humble in their beleifs). That comment did make me laugh though, thanks.

Originally Posted by julien

Your argument that "if this works for me, I don't need to know the reasons" seems valid to me, even though, it all depends on what side of the road you are standing: reality or search for happiness. I think Radical's first post was geared towards abrupt reality, and like him, I prefer to face reality, because I think it is always more beautiful, no matter how hard it can be.

Firstly, many (all, even) of the human race "do things that work for them but they don't know the reasons". And even is someone thinks that they know the reasons, they very well might just be arrogent. Instantly discarding all other beleifs without experimintation, for the sole reason that it contridicts their current mindset, hampering and possible, positive growth.

Secondly, whoever said that both Happiness and Readly necersarily need to be seperate? I don't beleive I was implying that, to my knowledge. One could possibly develop a mindset that is congruent 'enough' (its a continous journey) with the functions of reality. Which in turn the observer would then gain happiness because of his/her will to become a better person.

Wanting to explore a Subjective reality isn't turning ones eyes away from 'reality', quite the opposite. In seeing the harshness of the world/reality from a Subjective mindset, the observer then sees the many more tools that are at his/her disposal to make a difference, compared to that of a purely objective mindset. Even if a subjectivists is deulding themselves in the long run, they might just have made a greater impact because of their beleifs.

Originally Posted by julien

One more thing: from Steve's past and posts I would say that he's a high-IQ/high EQ person, implying that he probably bypasses a whole part of unpleasant reality but he never lifts from the ground. Assimilating his ideas without the proper pondering and intellect may be dangerous.

Without a doubt Steve is a very knowledgeable person. But regardless of this, I wouldn't automaticly replace my own capicity to reason with that of his reasonings, I need to sort these things out for myself.

And, i'm sorry to say, that it's an assumption to think that Steve didn't 'assimilate his ideas without the proper pondering and intellect'. Remember also that he isn't trying to get the complete answer in one fell swoop, but chipping away at what he thinks has the potential to become something truely beutiful. Although, I must say, I like the work in progress.

And to finish it up... His ideas would only become dangerous if he, or another, took hold of these ideas and weilded them as if weapons in which to beat others into submission with, which isn't what he's doing. Take them or leave them.

Hopefully I cleared up any misunderstandings. And I get what you're saying about how taking in beleifs naively can cause yourself or others much heart ache in the long run. At least that's what I gleemed from your post(s)

You know what, I could do with some friends that are willing to actually discuss these things, but alas, that doesn't happen too often in my (social) life at the moment.

Thank you.