Thursday, March 24, 2011

Montaigne- First thoughts or a knee jerk reaction

Reading "The Consolations of Philosophy".  Current chapter- Montaigne on Inadequacy.

It seems that his best argument is that since everyone farts and has sex, that, we are all equal.

My first reaction is that how is this superior to Christianity?  I ask, since this book is supposed to show how Philosophy can "console, inspire, and motivate us" in lieu, presumably, of other belief systems.

Yet, why is believing that you are a created being in the image of a "Maker" inferior to proof of everyone's bodily functions equalizing the herd?  That arguments about farting or sex trump morality stories in the Bible seem almost childish.   My six year old niece does love a good fart joke as much as Montaigne seemingly.

One debases the Human to crude explosions of toxic fumes and the other gives dignity and purpose with a really good set of tools to overcome all of life's challenges.

That was my knee jerk reaction.  Now, I must figure out my award winning version that will pass my exam with honors.

Caroline Heldman's bad argument on Hannity

My greatest pet peeve with Fox is the inability or unwillingness to challenge their guests and then give their, the host's, viewpoint and why its the correct way to think about the subject at hand.

Tonight's big debate was on the Birth Certificate.  The Liberal defending the President came up with two of the weakest arguments that I have ever heard in defense of this issue.  This leads me to believe that this person is nowhere near as smart as they think they are or they are outright lying and grasping for straws.  Either way, loss of respect almost immediately after she began speaking.

First defensive argument was that no one else has been asked to show their birth certificates.  To his credit, Hannity did challenge that and proved her incorrect but the two arguments that followed could have been challenged and settled.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Quote of the Day

rickhenk wrote:
I read that smoking was bad, so I quit smoking.
I read that drinking was bad, so I quit drinking.
I read that sex was bad, so I quit reading.