The real discussion: Values (Humans)

by David Turell , Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 00:52 (3264 days ago) @ dhw


> MATT: Skepticism tells us that the less concrete some fact is, the less value we should place on it. [...] So part of the discussion to me seems, that with values about faith, we should discuss our values about skepticism. (Scepticism for my good British friend!)
> 
> dhw: Scepticism is the hallmark of my own agnosticism, and it's something I am acutely conscious of. Whenever someone comes up with a theory, whether theistic or atheistic, I find myself focusing on the flaws, and of course there always are flaws because if there weren't, we would have facts and not theories. This negativity may well be a problem for some people.-It has never been a problem for me.
 
> dhw:I would like to feel, though, that the forum has developed into a kind of sounding board for ideas. David has been faithful to this principle from the very beginning, and has provided us with an ongoing education, updating us on all the latest developments whether he agrees with them or not. I find this admirable. -I've enjoyed doing it. 
> 
> dhw: My desire has never been to change hearts and minds, unless those represent views that might cause damage to other people. Do I actually want to change? Probably not. I'm comfortable on my picket fence, and it does not in any way stop me from enjoying all the good things in my life, while I continue to accept the not-so-good things with my own brand of Stoicism. Do I want to change other people? Yes, I probably do - not to the extent of them losing their faith, which would be a terrible responsibility, but to engender a greater sense of tolerance. Although we often have to take decisions in life, I just wish people would acknowledge that there are nearly always at least two sides to an argument!-Well said!