At what point does Skepticism become cruel?

Amapola said:
I don't see what skeptics have to offer as "cold harsh reality" or "nothingness".

[...]

And simply because the skeptic is not constrained by a belief in eternal punishment, that does not mean they will be socially destructive. As many have pointed out here, it is very easy to tell if someone wishes to hear about skepticism, or if they do not. And the truth is, it is very hard to shift someone from their belief. In fact, they have to do it themselves.

So I think the imaginary person in the OP will continue to cling to their belief because they wish to. As far as whether I personally would say anything to such a person would depend on circumstances; but I believe that the knowledge would set that person free for a richer life, not diminish them somehow.
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Very good post, Amapola!
 
Moochie said:
Ho hum...

Nose out of joint again?

M.
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I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bore you. That's not sarcasm as I hoped for a sincere response. I didn't realize my nose had been dislocated a first time. Moochie, it seems your finger itches on the conflict button rather than the discussion button. I can consider Axenos' posts and disagree with something with out getting silly about it. If you actually give any fair consideration to his contributions so far, smugness is not a fair interpretation. I've modified my views on a number of matters since joining this forum in large part due to members that took the time to discuss things without getting snide (however, nobody asks you to do the same.) If you wanna tussle, no worries, you'll find no shortage of mates to do that with but thus far the thread has nothing to do with skeptic vs believer.
 
kitakaze said:
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bore you. That's not sarcasm as I hoped for a sincere response. I didn't realize my nose had been dislocated a first time. Moochie, it seems your finger itches on the conflict button rather than the discussion button. I can consider Axenos' posts and disagree with something with out getting silly about it. If you actually give any fair consideration to his contributions so far, smugness is not a fair interpretation. I've modified my views on a number of matters since joining this forum in large part due to members that took the time to discuss things without getting snide (however, nobody asks you to do the same.) If you wanna tussle, no worries, you'll find no shortage of mates to do that with but thus far the thread has nothing to do with skeptic vs believer.
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So, get over your disdain for me and tell TP that "thus far the thread has nothing to do with skeptic vs believer."

Sheesh!

M.
 
Moochie said:
So, get over your disdain for me and tell TP that "thus far the thread has nothing to do with skeptic vs believer."

Sheesh!

M.
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Moochie, I have no disdain for you or any other person on this board (except Beckjord when he worms in). TP's post or your interpretation of his post doesn't change the discussion at hand. How might we find similar ground on which to come to an understanding? I for one at first could see where you were coming from in suspecting arrogance in Axenos' 'some poor simpleton' comment but he retracted that, did he not?
 
kitakaze said:
Moochie, I have no disdain for you or any other person on this board (except Beckjord when he worms in). TP's post or your interpretation of his post doesn't change the discussion at hand. How might we find similar ground on which to come to an understanding? I for one at first could see where you were coming from in suspecting arrogance in Axenos' 'some poor simpleton' comment but he retracted that, did he not?
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The one thing missing sometimes typing is inflection... the tone and mood of a voice, and that indeed is what was missing at the beginning, as well as a poor choice of wording... but the point indeed got across, and this thread has produced nice food for thought from many different perspectives...

Now I must head to Job #2, for no matter how smart I may be, I still have to work 2 jobs to make ends meet... guess I'm not THAT smart :p

Best to All (You too, Moochie,)

Axe
 
kitakaze said:
Moochie, I have no disdain for you or any other person on this board (except Beckjord when he worms in). TP's post or your interpretation of his post doesn't change the discussion at hand. How might we find similar ground on which to come to an understanding? I for one at first could see where you were coming from in suspecting arrogance in Axenos' 'some poor simpleton' comment but he retracted that, did he not?
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Retraction after the fact is just more weasel words, IMO.

If I misinterpreted TP's post, then kindly let her/him explain.

As for me, I will disgracefully bow out of this thread now, as kitty has just come in from his predawn prowl and we are both going to bed.

M.
 
ImaginalDisc said:
Well, you're an expert going off of your experiance in the field. If I asked a lawyer, "What are my chances that I'll be sucessfully sued for negligence if I don't do X, Y, and Z?" and the lawyer says, "I can't give you any precise figures, but in my professional judgement, you'd be taking on a large risk of a costly legal battle and a small risk of a huge financial loss." that would be good enough for me.

When someone answers a difficult question to the best of their ability, that ain't the same a lie.
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The post of mine which you quote was directly addressing IvontheEngineer's narrow tangent about uncertainty. I agree with him that uncertainty is scary for many, if not most, people. Trying to predict the outcome in litigation is always fraught with some uncertainty. Ask any trial judge.

I don't disagree with your post, but what you address is a different issue from what I meant to address. In no way did I mean to imply that expressing that "I don't know and can't give you a precise answer or guarantee" is a lie. It is most assuredly the truth in most cases. Where I have a big problem is with some of my colleagues who do in fact tell people what they want to hear. I know of some who do make promises they cannot deliver and issue guarantees as to outcomes. That is lying, in my opinion.

AS
 
Axenos said:
"Most people NEED to be part of a group."

I should copyright that one... or at least make a t-shirt :D
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No, make a t-shirt that says "Proud to be one of the few who doesn't need to be part of a group!"

kitakaze said:
Sorry for the drive-by over-simplification but realizing you don't know $#!T is what sets you free IMHumbleO.
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I'm free!!! I'm fre!!! I'm...

Oh.

Damn. :(

CFLarsen said:
It's Thor, you infidel.
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Well, put thome thalve on it.
 
AmateurScientist said:
The post of mine which you quote was directly addressing IvontheEngineer's narrow tangent about uncertainty. I agree with him that uncertainty is scary for many, if not most, people. Trying to predict the outcome in litigation is always fraught with some uncertainty. Ask any trial judge.

I don't disagree with your post, but what you address is a different issue from what I meant to address. In no way did I mean to imply that expressing that "I don't know and can't give you a precise answer or guarantee" is a lie. It is most assuredly the truth in most cases. Where I have a big problem is with some of my colleagues who do in fact tell people what they want to hear. I know of some who do make promises they cannot deliver and issue guarantees as to outcomes. That is lying, in my opinion.

AS
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I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. I was trying to support your position that uncertainty is inescapable sometimes, and that giving the best answer you can is truthful.
 
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