The Competition of Memes (Humans)

by dhw, Monday, July 19, 2010, 08:25 @ xeno6696

MATT: dhw argues more like Shapiro or myself; though I can only guess at his framework for evaluating claims, though it appears quite similar to my own: Caution is key. Only state what we KNOW.

My framework is certainly similar to yours, though from a far more limited base. As you know, my scepticism towards all definitive answers is balanced by my willingness to consider all approaches that seem to me to have a degree of credibility. I would not countenance any theory that went against the scientific consensus (e.g. that the world is only 6000-10,000 years old, that every species has been individually designed from scratch, that there are fairies at the bottom of the garden), but I remain open-minded on matters relating to the so-called “paranormal” (mystic and psychic experiences). My agnosticism basically is one of non-belief, not disbelief, and of a wide-ranging “maybe”.

I’m intrigued by your closing comment: “personal frameworks litter this landscape. So what -- should we do to remedy this?”

“Remedy” suggests that personal frameworks are a fault, but I’m not so sure they are. (Ha, these agnostics are never sure!) Firstly, there is no way round our subjectivity, because there is no way we can possibly acquire objective knowledge of the ultimate “truth”. To avoid the pitfalls of subjectivity, we would simply have to give up the search, and I don’t think you, David, George, BBella, Tim or I will ever do that. But secondly, it’s this exchange of personal frameworks that I personally find so educational and stimulating. If we agreed on everything and shared exactly the same framework, we would learn nothing and there would be no discussion. As it is, we are all constantly being made to question our frameworks, and I find that very rewarding.

Thank you for your enthusiastic recommendation of Shapiro and your kind offer to send me your copy. I will try to get hold of one at this end. If it is as enlightening as David’s own book (which I suspect provides the best guide to his thinking!) it will be well worth the effort.