Another way of Looking at Design (The nature of a \'Creator\')

by dhw, Sunday, November 15, 2009, 08:45 (5486 days ago) @ xeno6696

Matt: [...] the only thing I take issue with on your thinking, is how you can consider claims that cannot be studied with any level of objectivity.-If this is now our only point of disagreement, we can shake hands once again on a great entente cordiale, though I'm sure we'll find lots more to disagree on as time goes by!-I apologize for using the word "delusion", and will instead pursue the fact that you "write off" subjective human experiences, which are "unique to each person and therefore irreconcilable to any objective measure at all." In my heart of hearts, I don't think an objective truth is possible in the matters we have been discussing. I don't think you do either. It always boils down to what each individual considers reasonable or most likely. You have mentioned the experience of art and music. It doesn't matter two hoots that these can't be "reconciled" to objective measures. And so if someone like BBella or Frank describes their own mystic experience, I can compare it to the profound realities of other subjective experiences, and acknowledge that it has a validity of its own. If thousands of people have similar subjective experiences, even though they can never attain the status of objectivity, it suggests that there may be something that transcends pure individuality. That doesn't mean I don't retain a degree of scepticism, but you ask how I can "consider" such claims, and the answer is: I'm not convinced that "objective" is necessarily a better guide to truth or reality than "subjective". It may be that there is more truth and reality in a kiss than in a test tube.