Wow- great post. We are twins. Or almost twins. My only difference is with this "My first principle is a
belief that the world is knowable through reason"- and my difference over that is a small one. In my cosmology the world is, for the most part (but not completely) as knowable as we need it to be through reason. Because we are limited by our bodies, and senses and the dimension in which we live, I think our reason may also be too limited. But reason is, imo, far better than belief. I say this based on the evidence of human history.
Blaise was right, imo.
IT isn't just religion that makes men do wrong cheerfully- they will do it for communism, or nationalism, they will do it cheerfully when all their fellow men do wrong with them in the service of belief, any belief. So belief, imo, is to be distrusted, and considered dangerous. There really ought to be warning labels attached to belief systems- "use of this thought pattern may be hazardous to your humanity, wisdom and critical thinking". |
