Disagreement with Opinions

Received this very well written email today. I was impressed with the writer’s mastery of the English language and insights into the human thought process.

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Email:

I looked over your extremely zealous and verbose attack on the use of science to justify mysticism. I find it amazing that someone as arrogant and overburdened with such a weighty ego as you are is able to lift your frame out of bed in the morning. Did you never take a course in Philosophy?

Your sad and pathetic attempt to anticipate counter arguments indicates an obvious lack of understanding of what constitutes a fallacious argument. Your own report is full of fallacious arguments. You need to do some reading, especially with regard to the notion of the paradigm.

The scientific method is a paradigm which is currently losing its stronghold in Western culture. This is happening for a very good reason. Furthermore, western culture is not the end all be all of life as we know it on planet earth. There are 7 billion people on the planet, and that means there are 7 billion versions of reality. Just because someone doesn’t agree with or see the validity of your beloved scientific method doesn’t mean they are wrong. Do you know how many people have had to die because of this kind of distorted thinking. You need to go back to school, open up your mind a little more, and learn to tell that monstrous ego of yours to lie down.

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Reply:

Thank you for writing and it does bring me pleasure knowing that my writings have created emotion in you – even if it is not the emotion I intended. Your email is so emotional but doesn’t contain specifics to discuss which makes me sad.

In most of my writing I try to address specific points instead of vague ideologies. Because your email does not contain any specific points it doesn’t give me much to respond to. Your personal attack essay perhaps serves the purpose of making you feel better in some way, but does not further discussion on any particular subjects.

Addressing the few points you make without sources:

  1. You claim: “The scientific method is a paradigm which is currently losing its stronghold in Western culture” Source? Or is this your own personal “philosophy” presented as a fact? I believe the statement to be false. In fact I believe the opposite to be true; mysticism and theology of the dark ages are in their last glimmer of life – given way to more rational thinking. You are welcome to provide a reasonable source that shows otherwise (I would be very surprised if you did – notice the word “reasonable”). Or would that be too much work?
  2. You say: Did you never take a course in Philosophy? I fail to see how that would have much of a bearing on whether my writings are valid or not, but I did take a Philosophy class at Pacific Lutheran University many years ago. That is specifically to your “course” question which I take to mean college level. I have also taken many Science of Mind classes – which are classes that typically train people to think as your email suggests I should. I reject that. But I rejected it only after studying it for many years. Deepak Chopra, Carlos Castaneda, early metaphysical writers – yes, have read them.
  3. You say: Just because someone doesn’t agree with or see the validity of your beloved scientific method doesn’t mean they are wrong. Do you know how many people have had to die because of this kind of distorted thinking. – No, I don’t. Do you have a valid source that estimates this number? Maybe with that you can provide a source for why the earth is flat, probably the same website. Is there also a source on how many people have died by leaving medicine to philosophy and theology? Would you like to compare numbers?
  4. You say: Your own report is full of fallacious arguments. – Which report are you talking about and which arguments? Do you really have anything to say? I do.

It would be of more interest to me if you had specific points to discuss. To my knowledge no claims have ever been made by myself about “Western Culture” being anything elevated above another. If you think that the “scientific method” is the same as “Western Culture” then I can see how you make that connection.

I have found that speaking publicly and debating with contrary views is healthy for growth and understanding. Your email is anonymous and makes no specific points, which serves no purpose I can see.

To me this email is a classic example of Xenophobia. Duck and hide, anonymous, no specifics.

You want to call out and debate something I have written? Contact me with a specific and bring it on. I am happy to be proven wrong – it shows I am learning. Learning new things and being put out of my comfort zone does not scare me in the least. Bring it on.

You seem to think I am worthy of criticism – am I worthy of discussion in your eyes? Doesn’t really matter your opinion, because while you are fuming about your bubble being challenged there are others of us active in the fray of public discussions.

If you have specifics to address I’ll post them. Because I like interaction.

Until then enjoy your little bubble…It must be all comfy in there.

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