Fiction-, Stories, Myths, and Legends. THE LESSON. PT 2.

'IT IS SAID THAT THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ALL, IS TO STAND UPON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, AND CONTINUE THEIR GOOD WORKS.  IS THIS SO?"

"NO, IT IS THAT IN THE FUTURE,  THERE ARE THOSE WHO SEEK TO STAND UPON YOUR SHOULDERS,  AND CONTINUE YOUR GOOD WORKS." 



The Young Graduate, of course, knew the story.  Although he had only seen the "Wise One" once at a Distance, he felt that such an Intellect could Set the Course of his Life with Ease.  It was decided, he would Search for this Eminent Sage of Great Wisdom, and seek his Council.

He Told Family and Friends nothing of this Decision.  "Just a Short Camping Trip, by Myself, to Clear My Head and plan out the future."  Although it was an Unusual and Odd Proclamation, his Parents and other Adults in his life did not seek to Dissuade him. "Ah, Youth", his Uncle had said, "it will do as it will, and live with the Consequences."

The Young Man planned his Trip as carefully as possible.  Although he wanted to keep the Real Reason behind the Trip a Secret, the seeming Impetuousness of this sudden change in Personality Puzzled those who knew him.  

"Where will you go," They asked, "how long will you be gone," They Continued, "What if you are Hurt or Injured, what will you do?" and so it went, question after question.

The Young Man Answered Their Concerns as Best he could.  In Fact, if he had not shown such Intelligence and Ability at a Young Age, it was almost certain that he would have been prevented, Physically, from pursuing a Solitary Trip into the Wilderness.

However, his Reputation for keeping a Level Head, and Thinking before Acting, separated him from other Men and Women his age.  While Immaturity and the Desire for a "GOOD TIME", had Derailed many future plans of other Classmates, he had Stayed the Course, and earned a Reputation for Sensibility at a Young Age.

It soon became Mid- Summer, and the Time for his Departure came near. The Young Man prepared his Supplies of Food, Water and Medicine carefully, just enough for him to carry comfortably. He knew that Foraging for Food at this time of Year would be easy, and the Numerous Streams that Dotted the Landscape would prevent any possibility of Him Suffering from the Debilitating Symptoms of Thirst.

The Morning of Departure Arrived, and with a Brief Good- Bye, Together with an Admonishment by his Family to be careful, he set off.

END PT 2.

LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY." #6. SHELDON AND HIS MOTHER- POST HOC, ERGO PROPTOR HOC, AND THE FALLACY OF TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION. PT 2.

This is an excellent example, to put the spotlight on a common misconception; Logic, Science, The Scientific Method etc., are ANTI- RELIGION.  Further, that they promote ATHEISM, and deny the existence of a SPIRIT WORLD, and the SUPERNATURAL.  

This ties into another example of FALLACY OF TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION.

In the scene, listen carefully to what Sheldon says.  He never asserts that praying for his safety was in any way ineffective or, that to do so could have no effect on the outcome of the trip.

He just pointed out, quite correctly, that his Mother reached a conclusion that was Logically Invalid.  However, many people of faith equate this criticism with ATHEISTIC IDEOLOGY.  Yet, just because an Atheist would agree with Sheldons assessment, it does not follow that ONLY ATHEISTS would reach the same conclusion.

This is an example of  Fallacy Of Truth By Association;  ANY CONCLUSION REACHED BY AN INDIVIDUAL, THAT IS ALSO SHARED BY MEMBERS OF A CERTAIN GROUP, INDICATES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MUST BE PART OF THAT GROUP.

Consider the following scenarios;  In the first example, we will imagine a conversation that includes Sheldon as an Atheist, in the second he will indicate no specific religious beliefs.

Dialogue from the episode: "THE ELECTRIC CAN OPENER FLUCTUATION."                                               

"No mother, I could not feel your church group praying for my safety.  The fact that I'm home safe does not prove that it worked, that logic is Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc."

 #1                                                                        #2

                                                                                 

SHELDON THE ATHEIST.                                   SHELDON THE UNCOMMITTED.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

"MOM, HOW COULD PRAYING                       "WELL MOM, I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT.

HELP ME IN ANY WAY? IT                               HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS AN EXPRESSION

ASSUMES THE EXISTENCE                            OF FAITH, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF

OF A SUPREME BEING THAT                          IT HAD ANY AFFECT."

CAN CONTROL THE FORCES

OF NATURE."

TO BE CONTINUED...

ETHICS AND MORALITY. PERSONAL ETHICS VS INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS, OR FINDING GOD VS FORCING GOD. PT 6.

That is the Basic Problem, and the Inherent Weakness in the Plan to Force All Americans to Obey Their Set of Moral Values, Through Force or the Legal System;  

All of the Talk of Converting, and coming to "Know the Will of God," are just Words. In the End, They Ring Hollow, Because of the Refusal to Allow others to Freely Choose the same path.

In Fact, it Reveals that all the Talk of "FINDING THE LORD, THROUGH SCRIPTURE, PRAYER, AND REPENTANCE", IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO CONVERT FREELY.  When it comes to Interpreting the Constitution, or Defining "FREEDOM OF RELIGION," VOLUNTARY IS NOT AN OPTION IN THE END. 

In Other Words;

-  "IF YOU DON'T AGREE THAT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS A SIN, AFTER WE HAVE EXPLAINED HOW IT VIOLATES THE WORD OF GOD, DON'T WORRY. WE WILL CRIMINALIZE IT UNTIL YOU SEE THE LIGHT.''

-  "You Don't Think that Organized Prayer in Public Schools is a good thing? No Matter, we know what is BEST FOR EVERYONES CHILDREN, AND MAKE SURE ITS DONE EVERYDAY."

-  "SCIENCE SHOULD NOT BE CONTRADICTING SCRIPTURE, AND TEACHING EVOLUTION DOES THAT, SO WE'LL REMOVE IT FROM THE CLASSROOM. WHO NEEDS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, WHEN THE BIBLE GIVES US ALL THE ANSWERS."

Naturally, There are more examples, but the Point is Clear:  When one SEEKS TO INSTILL PRINCIPLES OF FAITH INTO A CODE OF LAW, FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS AN EMPTY PROMISE, SUBJECT TO THE WHIMS OF THOSE WHO CONTROL THE POWER BASE.

What is Really Amazing, is the Contention by Those who Promote Religious Belief as the Answer for Providing Society with the Proper Moral Compass, is that BY NOT ADOPTING THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM INTO A FORM OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW, THEY ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

TO BE CONTINUED.

QUICK HITTERS. OBEYING THE MONEY, AND ACCEPTING THE POWERS THAT BE. PT 1.

It is understandable that people become Envious, seeing what others have in Material Wealth, and wanting a similar Lifestyle.  However, for some, the Almost Pathological Desire to obtain whats on the Surface, and Ignoring what lies below, leads to an almost Cult- Like Mentality.

It is this Type of Mindset that Leads many people in Society to Listen and Support Leaders who have No Interest in helping anyone but Themselves, and Perhaps others who occupy the same Economic Tier.  It is an Incredible Reality, and Could be a Case of COGNITIVE DISSONANCE. 

The Percentage of Americans who believe that Political Leaders should support Economic and Social Policies that provide a Safety Net for those in Hardship,( Which, of course, may include them Personally), Will often agree on placing Strict Economic Regulations against those who would Manipulate and Use the Banking and Monetary Systems for Their own Benefit, Contrary to the Best Interests of the Country as a Whole. In other Words, Eliminate the possible outlets for Elected Officials to Act in a Completely SELF- INTERESTED MANNER.

YET, WHEN AN ELECTION  CYCLE COMES AROUND, MANY AMERICANS WILL STAND BEHIND AND VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO CARE LITTLE FOR ALLEVIATING OR PREVENTING POLICIES THAT WILL VICTIMIZE THEM. THIS EVEN HOLDS TRUE IF SUCH EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST, AND THE EVIDENCE IS RIGHT BEFORE THEIR EYES.  IN A SENSE REWARDING THE CANDIDATE FOR PAST INDISCRETIONS.

Is this the Result of;

-  Lack of Education?

-  Lack of Critical Thinking Skills?

-  An Inability to Separate Personality from Reality?

-  A Belief that Wealth = Good and Good = Smart and Smart = Morally Correct.

We need to find out, for everyones benefit.