From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Fri Sep 27 2002 - 23:31:57 MDT
In recent and on-going threads several people have
explored difficult topics having no ideological
ramifications, but which still produced intransigence
and unresolved deep divisions in outlook, in concepts,
and finally even in conflicting takes on the meanings of
words and what their proper domain of applicability is.
It is often thought that these efforts are entirely
futile, especially to the non-participants.
However, the following *at least* are normally
furthered by such discussions:
1. deep assumptions unconsciously held by both
sides are exposed to sunlight.
2. recognition that differences between intelligent
and well-motivated people are *not* superficial,
and cannot reduce to one party's failure to
have observed or understood a few choice
syllogisms.
3. the making of minor concessions far into the
discussions that perhaps have, or will later
have avalanche effects which affect the
course of the debate.
4. practice is provided of staying honest with
oneself, and striving never to be arguing for
the sake of argument, and trying as hard as
possible to resist "the heart leading the mind".
5. actual victories by one side resulting in
the eventual abandonment of the other party's
own private views do occur, but the changes
do not happen immediately, requiring instead
weeks, months, or even years. Often the
"loser" (really the winner who eventually
comes see things in a different light) comes
away merely disgusted by the whole thing, and
in his own mind rails against the blindness
or folly of the other side, without knowing
that he's been subtly but deeply affected.
(This doesn't imply that the "winner"---who
by definition has views are destined *not*
to change---necessarily comes away feeling
any differently.)
For sure some think that this is all malarkey,
and instead propose that we should all "just
get along", or that we "stop foolish disputing
and learn to be more rational and harmonious".
That such advice has proven ineffective for
about 40,000 years but still continues to be
dispensed is a mystery to me (but one
doubtless falling under the purview of
point number 2 above).
Lee
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