Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00205)

In a message dated 98-08-14 02:27:05 EDT, you write:

>Also your description of the "case study" is downright vague.  Could you
>please define in some detail what you mean by "results"?  DETAILS ARE
>ESSENTIAL and you don't give any.
>
>Cheers.
>
>

What we have here are the limits of e-mail lists.  Musashi is an excellent
case because he has left his own writings by which he can be judged, unlike
others, which is why I chose to cite him.  One could also use the example of
Mohammed, who left behind the Koran as well as creating an empire to spread it
as well as a family so we know for sure he was not celibate.

On the matter of conscience, I side with the behaviorists and their material
is easily accessible, so there is not need to quote it here and bore the hell
out of everyone.  Besides, I don't work that way, it's no fun.  The research
on that seems to be pretty sound but of course we can argue forever about that
without coming to any agreement.

The truth of the matter, which is what I am really trying to get to, is that
there really can be no proof of any of spiritual system.  For every assertion
a counter-assertion can be made with equal validity.  For every example there
is a counter-example.

So one may say the universe is compassionate, to which one may counter that it
showed a hell of a lot of compassion for the dinosaurs.

One may say that the universe is just, but Stalin and Mao died peacefully in
bed.

One can posit a universe such as our Victorian forbears did, which reflected
the way they thought it should be, to which one can counter with a universe
which frankly doesn't give a damn.  And, given the time and trouble, one can
make a case for either.

Therefore, on the basis of all available evidence of history, I can assert
that the Universe is unjust, does not worry about human behavior and to even
worry about such things is a waste of time which means that the search for
enlightenment, presupposing that such a thing even exists, must go on without
concerning itself with social side shows, and I can say this as much as a I
want because no one can prove otherwise; the sum of human events aims that
way.

For this one need cite no academic research, no books, no papers, no
footnotes.  One need only live and experience because experience is the only
true authority.  Everything else is just hot air and citing it is a waste of
time.

Chuck