211
Philosophy & Science / Re: Political Visual attentiveness to disgust is linked to political views
« on: January 29, 2018, 04:10:41 am »
Correlation and causation....when do they finally meet and fall madly in love?
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212
General Misc. / Re: BFK's Music Corner
« on: January 29, 2018, 12:22:21 am »
I don't want to give the impression that some level of technical accomplishment is necessary to participate in the conversation. Deep end, shallow end; just jump in!
Although, if it somehow gets to Three Pound Blog level of difficulty....I'd be rummaging around for my old music theory texts: "As Fux in 'Counterpoint' declares....". No, no, no....let's just talk music!
I'm thinking the thread could be more leisurely than the "Obligatory Music Thread". More long-form posts. That allows the OMT to be a home for quick recommendations (emphasizing the "now").
Although, if it somehow gets to Three Pound Blog level of difficulty....I'd be rummaging around for my old music theory texts: "As Fux in 'Counterpoint' declares....". No, no, no....let's just talk music!
I'm thinking the thread could be more leisurely than the "Obligatory Music Thread". More long-form posts. That allows the OMT to be a home for quick recommendations (emphasizing the "now").
213
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 29, 2018, 12:05:35 am »Well, since one of the many areas of discussion in this thread has become whether or not Christianity is still a worldly political power, I would argue that the reduced geopolitical status of Vatican City (at one time part of the Papal States) is a political fact of our times. My other points (e.g., the relationship between wealth and political power) are certainly debatable.The wealth of the Vatican doesn't give it worldly political power. Wealth is not a source of political power. Plutocracies, if they exist, are not powerful. I would consider them the equivalent of gated communities or tax-shelter nations. Powerful enough to be left alone, and that's pretty much the geopolitical status of the Vatican.
I'm not sure that's accurate.
Quote from: Madness
So, Madness, would your perception of Allied rhetoric during WWII being reliant on "religiosity" then lead you to a conclusion that Christianity is still a worldly political power?Quote from: TaoHorrorTangent to the discussion on the history of religious war, I proffer that religion is so ingrained in human history, so much of the human experience, that to say what it would be like without it is like saying what would we have been like if we didn't have the opposable thumb, prohibiting the grasp of a gun. Even if any/all religions "are wrong", it's significance saturates human reality so much so it transcends the significance of it's accuracy. So much is going on with religion on so many levels, to dismiss it as mere manipulation is to overly simplify perhaps the most powerful moving sociological force in human history with several of you yielding so much ground to it that you're "blaming" it for most of the wars.Exactly right, my friend. The fact that the religious impulse is so ingrained in humanity is the only way it makes any sense at all to blame a modern war like WWII on religion.
I don't think I necessarily agree with either MSJ or Tao but the rhetoric on the part of the Allies certainly seemed to rely on religiosity.
My point is that Christendom as a worldly political entity no longer exists. There's no Holy Roman Empire. There's no Holy Roman Emperor. Those days are over. I suppose I should have specified "Christendom" at the outset, but I truly thought my description of Christianity as a "worldly political power" was sufficient.
In other words, I'm not saying that Christianity is politically irrelevant. I'm saying that Pope Francis cannot realistically wage war against another geopolitical state...well, maybe Malta....
.(Unless I'm overlooking something, "Quick Reply" doesn't seem to have a "cut and paste" feature. That would really help me cope with these multiquote posts.)
214
Philosophy & Science / Re: The Imaginative Conservative
« on: January 28, 2018, 05:12:27 am »
http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2016/12/greatness-mozart-robert-reilly.html
Happy Birthday, W. A. Mozart!
Happy Birthday, W. A. Mozart!
215
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 28, 2018, 02:31:47 am »Sorry, MSJ, that's a reference to our Vatican discussion (the Coffers!) and to my little joke about a mysterious black Sarcophagus hidden among the valuables. Wouldn't that be something?Quote from: BFKWell, MSJ informs us that there's all kinds of random crap hidden away, most of it valuable. There's gotta be a sealed room with a sign saying "Open ONLY in the event of extraterrestrial invasion!"
I'm not getting what you mean here?
216
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 27, 2018, 11:58:12 pm »Well, MSJ informs us that there's all kinds of random crap hidden away, most of it valuable. There's gotta be a sealed room with a sign saying "Open ONLY in the event of extraterrestrial invasion!"QuoteUnless.....there's a mysterious black Sarcophagus....
I laughed hard at this one, BFK - brilliant response
Quote
Exactly right, my friend. The fact that the religious impulse is so ingrained in humanity is the only way it makes any sense at all to blame a modern war like WWII on religion.
Tangent to the discussion on the history of religious war, I proffer that religion is so ingrained in human history, so much of the human experience, that to say what it would be like without it is like saying what would we have been like if we didn't have the opposable thumb, prohibiting the grasp of a gun. Even if any/all religions "are wrong", it's significance saturates human reality so much so it transcends the significance of it's accuracy. So much is going on with religion on so many levels, to dismiss it as mere manipulation is to overly simplify perhaps the most powerful moving sociological force in human history with several of you yielding so much ground to it that you're "blaming" it for most of the wars.
217
Philosophy & Science / Re: The Imaginative Conservative
« on: January 27, 2018, 11:38:32 pm »
http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2018/01/read-write-poetry-dwight-longenecker.html
"Why You Should Read And Write Poetry"
Why? Emotions, language, imagination.
"Why You Should Read And Write Poetry"
Why? Emotions, language, imagination.
218
General Misc. / BFK's Music Corner
« on: January 27, 2018, 04:32:42 pm »
I am starting this thread for anyone who wants to delve a little deeper into the aesthetics and/or the "Tekne" of the music in which he/she is interested. "Tekne" talk could range from the tech of musical instruments (love the Moog synthesizer!) to virtuosity to music theory.
I'm a very inactive amateur pianist these days, but I still have some vestigial chops. I think my ear is improving, simply due to the fact that I listen to so much music. Right now, I'm listening to a compilation of Mozart piano concertos pretty steadily and I'm gaining an appreciation for the brilliance of the classical formal structure. Three movements; fast-slow-fast; each movement states a theme, develops it, then returns to it. That's a wild oversimplification, of course, and there are other formal structures (suite based on dance forms, e.g.). But one always knows where one is and where one is going. Timeless music.
I'm a very inactive amateur pianist these days, but I still have some vestigial chops. I think my ear is improving, simply due to the fact that I listen to so much music. Right now, I'm listening to a compilation of Mozart piano concertos pretty steadily and I'm gaining an appreciation for the brilliance of the classical formal structure. Three movements; fast-slow-fast; each movement states a theme, develops it, then returns to it. That's a wild oversimplification, of course, and there are other formal structures (suite based on dance forms, e.g.). But one always knows where one is and where one is going. Timeless music.
219
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 27, 2018, 12:20:21 am »The judicious brandishing and occasional application of the BanHammer certainly helps....^ Can't reiterate this enough. I've been on a number of forums but this is the first one where I could discuss my religious views and have this kind of discussion. This is not normal for the internet or maybe even real life for that matter. Truth be told, you guys have likely given my posts more courtesy than their content actually deserves.Quote from: BFKThe collegial, respectful attitude that you foster here at the TSA Forum is an example of what all Christians, indeed, all people should strive for.Quote from: MadnessIt's important to remember that the average person of any creed/ideology isn't able to have the conversation we're having right now. This might render us all heretics to the average embedded faithful.
No, its a testament to what you and Wilshire and many other have created. A place discuss an issue like Religion and someone not totally flip out.
Hey, your dad could've just watched Ancient Aliens!
It probably helps that you make an effort to include new members on the podcast. I suspect establishing that vocal connection fosters a bit more civility than we would otherwise have.
220
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 26, 2018, 09:30:20 pm »Not really an interest of mine, to be honest. Isn't a lot of Vatican wealth in the form of valuable artworks? So.....a truly excellent museum? Unless.....there's a mysterious black Sarcophagus.....Quote from: BFKYes, but those followers are scattered all over the world and, more importantly, they are citizens of actual nations. The Vatican's worldly power is limited to its ability to influence actual worldly political powers. It has no geopolitical power. Influence, yes. Power, no. In fact, I seriously doubt that the Vatican could survive as a city-state if it hadn't been "grandfathered" in as a result of its historic location in Old Europe.
I stand corrected, influence is a much better word. But, influence does yield power. For the Vatican, it keeps them safe as you said, as a autonomous nation.
You still didn't answer....what would give or pay to visit their coffers?
221
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 26, 2018, 09:18:06 pm »Yes, but those followers are scattered all over the world and, more importantly, they are citizens of actual nations. The Vatican's worldly power is limited to its ability to influence actual worldly political powers. It has no geopolitical power. Influence, yes. Power, no. In fact, I seriously doubt that the Vatican could survive as a city-state if it hadn't been "grandfathered" in as a result of its historic location in Old Europe.Quote from: BFKThe wealth of the Vatican doesn't give it worldly political power.
Oh, what would pay/give to see their coffers? The Holy Coffers, Boys!
The Vatican is a worldly power because of the amount of followers they have and its.....A LOT.
222
Philosophy & Science / Re: The Imaginative Conservative
« on: January 26, 2018, 08:08:16 pm »
http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2014/06/what-is-distributism.html
Distributism, the original "small is beautiful" movement.
Distributism, the original "small is beautiful" movement.
223
Philosophy & Science / The Imaginative Conservative
« on: January 26, 2018, 08:06:19 pm »
http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2018/01/modernity-souls-alexander-zubatov.html
"How to save our souls from the modern world"
"How to save our souls from the modern world"
224
Philosophy & Science / Re: What do you believe? (Redux)
« on: January 26, 2018, 07:40:29 pm »
The wealth of the Vatican doesn't give it worldly political power. Wealth is not a source of political power. Plutocracies, if they exist, are not powerful. I would consider them the equivalent of gated communities or tax-shelter nations. Powerful enough to be left alone, and that's pretty much the geopolitical status of the Vatican.
225
General Misc. / Re: The Joe Rogan Experience
« on: January 26, 2018, 07:05:57 pm »Wow.......................................well, OK, then.Sorry, couldn't even get past the self-promotion and sponsors. According to the notes, Schermer is a science writer, a historian of science, and "King of the Skeptics" (jk, jk...a little levity, no offense....).
His book looks interesting: "The Scientific Search For The Afterlife, Immortality and Utopia". I will go with the written word. Thanks for the link, Madness!
It's a little over two hours of listening. I'm sure it won't take you that long to dismiss him and save yourself the purchase.
As an amateur student of philosophy who was quite the skeptic back in the day (still have my copy of "Atheism: The Case Against God" purchased in the late 70s), I am interested in most forms of skepticism. I'm not, however, interested in Joe Rogan, his touring schedule, or in which state he thinks the city of Charlotte is located.
But, as I said, thanks for the link.
