tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post7689031258670189085..comments2024-03-21T12:52:08.166+11:00Comments on Freedom and Flourishing: Who should read 'The Case for Rational Optimism'?Winton Bateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-2730794445858563632011-06-22T15:08:44.232+10:002011-06-22T15:08:44.232+10:00The essay you refer me to suggests:
"The uni...The essay you refer me to suggests:<br /><br />"The universe is a self-organizing, self-correcting, and self-rightening process."<br /><br />Nice thought! It means that everything must come right in the end.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-77589552732336658012011-06-22T14:26:42.699+10:002011-06-22T14:26:42.699+10:00Hi, I am from Melbourne.
Please find a completely...Hi, I am from Melbourne.<br /><br />Please find a completely different understanding of the state of the world and how we got to here via these references.<br /><br />A very sobering essay.<br /><br />www.beezone.com/AdiDa/reality-humanity.html<br /><br />Related essays<br /><br />www.dabase.org/openlett.htm<br /><br />www.dabase.org/p2anthro.htm<br /><br />A wider view on the origins & consequences of the "culture" created in the image of scientism (as distinct from science as a method of open-ended free enquiry)<br /><br />www.aboutadidam.org/readings/bridge_to_god/index.html <br /><br />www.adidam.org/teaching/aletheon/truth-science.aspxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-81426904255431656322011-06-09T15:14:50.815+10:002011-06-09T15:14:50.815+10:00I did mean red-blooded!I did mean red-blooded!Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-60642495187220131622011-06-09T15:13:54.781+10:002011-06-09T15:13:54.781+10:00I think those kinds of wars are included in the da...I think those kinds of wars are included in the data. I get the impression from meagre knowledge of history that that kind of war was the normal state of affairs in much of the world a few centuries ago.<br />Re American idealism, I think that we observe a culural divide in the US - but when they are scratched they all turn out to be read blooded.<br />Re reading - I don't much like reading on-line either, but I'm hoping that the experience will improve when I eventually buy an iPad.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-60399030939400043422011-06-09T09:35:53.224+10:002011-06-09T09:35:53.224+10:00When I think of war, I include any kind of faction...When I think of war, I include any kind of factional/political fighting where physical weaponry is used and for this reason, I would include the ongoing battles in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.<br /><br />It's interesting however the point you make about democracies not going to war with each other...<br /><br />As for the deep roots of American idealism, yes, I was aware of them but don't feel that they are expressed and defended in the same spirit as they originally held.<br /><br />I enjoy reading too, immensely - the boxes of books I've been carrying around from one house move to the next is a reflection of this. But these days, I tend to do most of my reading online - a tragic situation for my eyes!!!Thought Bubble Tenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13665668153611429559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-45028057622271429442011-06-09T07:54:54.962+10:002011-06-09T07:54:54.962+10:00I do enjoy reading, TBT. For a long time I didn...I do enjoy reading, TBT. For a long time I didn't seem to have enough time to read. Now it is sometimes difficult to find time for other things.<br /><br />The question of whether there have been few wars is interesting. Apparently the per capita death rate from wars has been declining, century by century and actually reached a low point in the 20th century. Our perception is otherwise because of the very high casualty rate in absolute terms in the two world wars. World population has grown more rapidly than deaths from war.<br /><br />Leaving statistics aside there is reason for optimism that war is on the decline because of the spread of democracy. Democracies tend not to go to war with each other.<br /><br />American idealism - is it just the kid making the most noise? Nah! The roots run very deep. The nation was founded on high ideals. Frank's book demonstrates to me that the ideals are still there and they really mean it when they talk about the light on the hill. <br /><br />The ideals also tend to explain what I see as foreign policy excesses. You expect a great power to send out the message loud and clear that 'anyone who messes with us will regret it'. America tries to send out the message that if despots mess with them they will impose democracy, liberate thir wives and send their daughters to school. Nice ideals, but you can't impose them. <br /><br />I more or less agree with the sentiments in your last para ... sigh.Winton Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383561940886657594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1089082204850170942.post-61456192134724231062011-06-08T19:05:26.126+10:002011-06-08T19:05:26.126+10:00Winton, your reading rate and volume is indeed imp...Winton, your reading rate and volume is indeed impressive! You must enjoy it :)<br /><br />I must admit I was surprised to read that Robinson seems to think that there are fewer wars today than there have been in the past. I'm not a historian but I can't help wondering about the accuracy of his claim. Do you agree with it?<br /><br />As for America being the epitome of idealism...could this impression be formed because its the kid who's always jumping up and down and making the most noise? <br /><br />There's no doubt it has set itself up to be the champion of the world, overseeing every one else but whether it's qualified to be that, (assuming we agree such a role is indeed desired)is hardly worth asking...sighThought Bubble Tenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13665668153611429559noreply@blogger.com