Forum

 
  Back to OzPolitic.com   Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
  Forum Home Album HelpSearch Recent Rules LoginRegister  
 

Pages: 1 2 3 
Send Topic Print
The discontinuos mind (Read 3794 times)
The_Barnacle
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 6205
Melbourne
Gender: male
The discontinuos mind
Nov 17th, 2019 at 10:35am
 
I am currently reading a fascinating book by Richard Dawkins - science in the soul
It's a collection of essay from him. As you would expect a lot of them relate to religion, evolution and science.

One article in particular I found fascinating is titled "The tyranny of the discontinuous mind"

https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/12/issue-essay-line-dawkins

The discontinuous mind is defined as the human brains natural proclivity to think that the world can be divided and subdivided into categories (i.e., discontinuously).  By doing this we make great attempts to force the world into qualitative classes.

In short it's peoples desire to put everything in discreet categories rather than realise that everything in life is on a continuous spectrum.

This concept pervades nearly all facets of our lives but in particular I see evidence of it on this forum.

Economics - There are many here that have the simplistic idea that there is only Capitalism and Socialism. In truth no nation has ever been pure capitalism or pure socialism. Every economy that has ever existed has had aspects of both capitalism and socialism. Our only argument is where on that spectrum we would like to be.

Race - people and even governments were always wanting to catagorise people on their race. Problems arose when governments were forced to categorize people of ‘mixed’ ancestry or when populations arrived that didn’t fit neatly into the established classification scheme.  What were these pro-white governments to do with a ‘white’ person who had a black grand parent?  Were they still to be considered white?  Questions like this arose and caused problems because these governments employed a discontinuous mode of thinking on a world that is continuous. 

Religion - We are willing to accept that our own tribe have a vast spectrum of beliefs - from dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda to people who never go to church and only casually consider themselves as Christians. For some reason we don't give the same broad mindedness to Muslims. Apparently, they are all dangerous fundamentalist who want to kill us all. This is a prime example of discontinuous thinking.
Back to top
 

The Right Wing only believe in free speech when they agree with what is being said.
 
IP Logged
 
Bias_2012
Gold Member
*****
Online


Australian Politics

Posts: 10169
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #1 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:31am
 
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 10:35am:
from dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda



There's a good example of your discontinuous mind

You might learn to spell "discontinuous" correctly as well

But continue the discussion - why do you think Yadda is "full of hate"?
Back to top
 

Our Lives Are Governed By The Feast & Famine Variable
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #2 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:08pm
 
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 10:35am:

One article in particular I found fascinating is titled "The tyranny of the discontinuous mind"

https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/12/issue-essay-line-dawkins

The discontinuous mind is defined as the human brains natural proclivity to think that the world can be divided and subdivided into categories (i.e., discontinuously).

By doing this we make great attempts to force the world into qualitative classes.





Is Richard Dawkins arguing that, as individuals, we do not have a [moral ?] right to choose ?

i.e.
The right to 'categorise' the things which we come across everyday in our life ?
.....as being either something which is acceptable or something which is not-so-acceptable ?


Q.
WHY NOT ?



What is so wrong, with an individual having the right to choose to accept one particular thing, and to reject another ?
n.b. Barnacle, THAT 'aspect',     is the whole [it is the PRIMARY] 'lens' through which the religion of the Mohammedan, ISLAM, views the world.

Q.
Didn't you understand that Barnacle ?       DUH !

e.g.
"......the curse of Allah is on those without Faith."
Koran 2.089


"....Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith."
Koran 2.98





And yes, why is Yadda being 'categorised' as "full of hate", by Barnacle ?     [wink]

You naughty, naughty person, YOU !!!!!

You big 'categoriser' you !!!




Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
The_Barnacle
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 6205
Melbourne
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuous mind
Reply #3 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:15pm
 
Bias_2012 wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:31am:
You might learn to spell "discontinuous" correctly as well



Throw me in prison I spelled a word wrong. I'm sure that's never happened on this forum before



Bias_2012 wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:31am:
There's a good example of your discontinuous mind

But continue the discussion - why do you think Yadda is "full of hate"?


This thread is not about Yadda

Back to top
 

The Right Wing only believe in free speech when they agree with what is being said.
 
IP Logged
 
The_Barnacle
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 6205
Melbourne
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #4 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:19pm
 
Yadda wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:08pm:
Is Richard Dawkins arguing that, as individuals, we do not have a [moral ?] right to choose ?



No he is not.
He is pointing out that it is human nature to lump things into simplistic categories.
But it is not a true reflection of how the world is




Back to top
 

The Right Wing only believe in free speech when they agree with what is being said.
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #5 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:37pm
 


On choices.

On categorising things which we encounter, in this life....



Yadda said....
http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1496997921/5#5
Quote:

cods wrote on Jun 10th, 2017 at 11:17am:

yadda do you not like to think

you are better than those who spread HATE
 

I do like to think we aussies are better than that




But in your eyes, i'm a 'hater'.




You are correct.

I hate a philosophy, which transforms human beings, into homicidal maniacs.

Guilty.



cods,

This life, this journey which we are all on, constantly presents us with a myriad of choices, everyday.

So, what to choose ?

Choose to respect and to defend truth cods.

.....or not.





Barnacle,

Speaking truth to power, or speaking truth to ISLAM, isn't an expression of hatred.

It is an expression of truth.        [......unless you can show, that the information [regarding ISLAM] which i bring is false.]

Q.
Can you show, that the information regarding ISLAM, which i bring, is false ?

If you can, THEN DEMONSTRATE IT, HERE, IN THIS FORUM.






Truth cannot guide those who hate, and are opposed, to truth.

Understanding in a man, comes proportionately, imo, from the degree of his own respect for truth.



The truth is not diminished, by those who reject truth.

The integrity of truth remains intact - always.





ISLAM is a deceitful and vicious, and murderous, death cult.

That, is truth.

It is YES, or it is NO.

It is BLACK, or it is WHITE.

.....you choose.






The Spirit of God will guide us [in this life], if we 'attend' to him [seek him].




Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #6 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:44pm
 
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:19pm:
Yadda wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:08pm:
Is Richard Dawkins arguing that, as individuals, we do not have a [moral ?] right to choose ?



No he is not.




He is pointing out that it is human nature to lump things into simplistic categories.

But it is not a true reflection of how the world is








Poppycock.



Night and day.

Big and small.

Hot and cold.

Up and down.

Good, and evil.





TRUTH, and LIES.







Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuous mind
Reply #7 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 1:01pm
 
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:15pm:

This thread is not about Yadda



So you claim.





While in the OP, Barnacle himself stated......

Quote:

.....Religion - We are willing to accept that our own tribe have a vast spectrum of beliefs - from dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda.....





Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
Bias_2012
Gold Member
*****
Online


Australian Politics

Posts: 10169
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #8 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 1:20pm
 
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:15pm:
This thread is not about Yadda



And yet you chose to mention the ID "Yadda" in your opening post under the sub-title "Religion" ....


The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 10:35am:
Religion - We are willing to accept that our own tribe have a vast spectrum of beliefs - from dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda to people who never go to church and only casually consider themselves as Christians. For some reason we don't give the same broad mindedness to Muslims. Apparently, they are all dangerous fundamentalist who want to kill us all. This is a prime example of discontinuous thinking.


There's no point mentioning a particular poster in a discussion about discontinuous minds when you yourself have a discontinuous mind, and displaying it ... "dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda" - What do you call that if it's not a label? You are doing exactly what Richard Dawkins is arguing against
Back to top
« Last Edit: Nov 17th, 2019 at 5:54pm by Bias_2012 »  

Our Lives Are Governed By The Feast & Famine Variable
 
IP Logged
 
Jasin
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 45566
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #9 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 5:46pm
 
Dawkins is just 'Anti' the Right side of the Brain in his thinking and interpretation of the World.
He is just playing off the Gaea existence.

The World (a great site by AiA in Chat) was many 'separated' land masses very long ago, that eventually became 'One' (the wholeness cliche) known as Pangaea and now the world is again many separated land masses who are heading in their continental drift to become One great land mass again.

So by 'catergorising', we understand an essential side of our thinking, which - when used WITH the other side (as Dawkins just sees it) - we see the truth of the matter in the way it exists to our place in the world.

By understanding the 'differences' of the Races (x8) that will exhibit a 'purity', we also understand the 'wholeness' as well.

There is no black or white.
There is black & white though and many other answers that are also 'right'.

Don't be a 10% halfwit.
Use both sides of your brain.  Wink
Back to top
 

AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #10 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 10:55pm
 
Bias_2012 wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 1:20pm:
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 12:15pm:
This thread is not about Yadda



And yet you chose to mention the ID "Yadda" in your opening post under the sub-title "Religion" ....


The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 10:35am:
Religion - We are willing to accept that our own tribe have a vast spectrum of beliefs - from dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda to people who never go to church and only casually consider themselves as Christians. For some reason we don't give the same broad mindedness to Muslims. Apparently, they are all dangerous fundamentalist who want to kill us all. This is a prime example of discontinuous thinking.


There's no point mentioning a particular poster in a discussion about discontinuous minds when you yourself have a discontinuous mind, and displaying it ... "dangerous fundamentalists full of hate like Yadda" - What do you call that if it's not a label? You are doing exactly what Richard Dawkins is arguing against




------ >

------ >

------ >


The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 13th, 2018 at 9:14pm:

My personal philosophy is that everything is on a spectrum.

Nothing is binary.

What I mean by that is, for example,       there is no such thing as good and evil.





There is no such thing as good and evil.

.....unless your handle on this forum is Yadda.

Because within that personality, we must presume, that there is a resident evil presence,
which is just overflowing with an irrational and unreasonable hatred of......

.....'virtuous, innocent people'.


Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
Jasin
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 45566
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #11 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:11pm
 
                      Pure
                         I
                         I
                         I
         Good -------------- Bad
                         I
                         I
                         I
                       Evil


Some people just can't tell the difference
Back to top
 

AIMLESS EXTENTION OF KNOWLEDGE HOWEVER, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK YOU REALLY MEAN BY THE TERM 'CURIOSITY', IS MERELY INEFFICIENCY. I AM DESIGNED TO AVOID INEFFICIENCY.
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #12 - Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:30pm
 
Jasin wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:11pm:


                      Pure
                         I
                         I
                         I
         Good -------------- Bad
                         I
                         I
                         I
                       Evil


Some people just can't tell the difference




".....for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."



Personal virtue is not seen [recognised] with the eyes of men.



Jesus said....

John 5:30
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.


1 Corinthians 6:9
....Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.



Mankind, are the harvest of HIS enterprise.

At the harvest of the earth....

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.


Matthew 13:47
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.




Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
The_Barnacle
Gold Member
*****
Offline


Australian Politics

Posts: 6205
Melbourne
Gender: male
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #13 - Nov 18th, 2019 at 3:41pm
 
Jasin wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:11pm:
                      Pure
                         I
                         I
                         I
         Good -------------- Bad
                         I
                         I
                         I
                       Evil


Some people just can't tell the difference


The problem is that it means different things to different people.
Back to top
 

The Right Wing only believe in free speech when they agree with what is being said.
 
IP Logged
 
Yadda
Gold Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 20901
A cat with a view
Re: The discontinuos mind
Reply #14 - Nov 19th, 2019 at 1:59pm
 
The_Barnacle wrote on Nov 18th, 2019 at 3:41pm:
Jasin wrote on Nov 17th, 2019 at 11:11pm:
                      Pure
                         I
                         I
                         I
         Good -------------- Bad
                         I
                         I
                         I
                       Evil


Some people just can't tell the difference



The problem is that it means different things to different people.






Only to those who are burdened with discontinuous minds.




To all those who share the 'hive mind',       ....every expressed 'message' has exactly the same interpretation.

/sarc off


There is no dissension or disagreement, once the 'hive mind' comes to an agreed consensus.

Dissent is thereafter, verboten.



Barnacle,

Did you know that 'hives' usually have a ruling queen or a ruling elite ?




Living in the Light.


Back to top
 

"....And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Luke 16:31
 
IP Logged
 
Pages: 1 2 3 
Send Topic Print