Aug 18 2011: There is a traditional Chinese symbol for "listening" that translates into something like "one listens with one's eyes, one's ears, one's heart as if listening to a king."The "modernized" version of this symbol has been simplified to something that translates more like: one weighs what one hears, then rebukes/refutes with one's mouth."This shift is not a simplification or modernization; these two definitions are of completely different acts. Everyone should learn the difference.
Confession: I was an English teacher in a past life. This discussion seems to back my belief that it is the most critical of the "core subjects" in spite of its often being treated as the least important.
Feb 1 2011: Actually, "if you research Sam Harris on the internet," (or read one of his books) you'll find that he cites as many Christian examples of why religion is holding us back from a rational view of morality as Muslim examples. I don't seem to recall him suggesting "open war" on anyone or anything. That's a pretty literal term. If Harris ever suggested war, I'd have to guess it was figurative as in "war on irrational belief and arguments." I'd re-enlist for that.
Feb 1 2011: Nietzsche suggests a world without organic function is novelty. How does this contradict Harris's organic function of a rational basis for that which improves the human condition? Sure folks will exploit Harris's theory but that doesn't detract from it as an idea worth discussing. Nor does it suggest that Nietzsche wouldn't have seen it as being honest to ourselves.
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A comment on Conversation: Why should listening be taught as a skill in school?
Confession: I was an English teacher in a past life. This discussion seems to back my belief that it is the most critical of the "core subjects" in spite of its often being treated as the least important.
A reply on Talk: Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions
A reply on Talk: Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions
A reply on Talk: Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions