Re: DISCUSSION/Iraq and domestic protest

["Troy Merrill" <troy1@moscow.com>]

Dale Courtney wrote:

 i.e., "My reason is my ultimate authority because it seems reasonable to
me to make it so."
Nice circular argument.

I reply:

All arguments are circular unless referenced to an ultimate authority.  If,
however, the existence of the ultimate authority must be accepted on faith,
e.g. subjective belief, we are back to chasing our tales.  There is a chance
in a reasoned debate that we would realize that we are no closer to catching
our tales than when we started.  I don't think that chance exists in a faith
based arguement.

Troy Merrill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dale Courtney" <dmcourtn@moscow.com>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 2:28 PM
Subject: RE: DISCUSSION/Iraq and domestic protest


> Don wrote:
> > After emphasizing that this has NOTHING to do with ethical
> > relativism, I'd like to share -- as a secular humanist -- a
> > definition of secular humanism. It is not original with me,
> > but it makes a great deal of sense to me:
>
> i.e., "Logical consistency is my ultimate authority because it is
> logical to make it so."
>
> > Secular Humanism is a way of thinking and living that aims
> > to bring out the best in people so that all people can have
> > the best in life. Secular humanists reject supernatural and
> > authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take
> > responsibility for our own lives and the communities and
> > world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason
> > and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and
> > responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for
> > tolerance and cooperation.
>
> i.e., "My reason is my ultimate authority because it seems reasonable to
> me to make it so."
>
> Nice circular argument.
>
> Dale Courtney
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>