The bigger picture?

[themyst]

I have posted the below as a comment to one of my threads, however on post .... er post reflection I believe that this should have a thread of its own.

One of the biggest problems of religion is the fact that the can not or they refuse to see the trees for the forest. For them it is in the whole not in the details.

We skeptics need to be aware that we do not fall for the same fault in not being able to see the forest for the trees. As skeptics it is of vital importance for us to be aware of the trees and roots and the creatures that live beneath the canopy.

But we must become extremely careful that we do not loose site of the fact that we are indeed looking at a forest. I have found it far too easy to become engrossed in the details and to forget the picture as a whole.

The only way for us to transcend and to become more is for us to understand that a great masterpiece is not only brush strokes and techniques but also a pretty picture.

 

[clarsct]

Hmmmmmmmmm.

Perhaps some more background might be useful.

 

[Cosmo]

The only way for us to transcend and to become more is for us to understand that a great masterpiece is not only brush strokes and techniques but also a pretty picture.

Transcend what? Become more what?

I agree with clarsct, your analogy is quite difficult to parse without more context.

 

[themyst]

It is just that as I read some of the posts on the JREF forum and hear other skeptics, incl myself, I realised that sometimes he get hung up on the details and forget the picture.

Of course I am not saying we forget the details, just that we add in the total as well as the sum of the whole.

We need to do both, disect things and examine the complete picture.

 

[Cosmo]

It is just that as I read some of the posts on the JREF forum and hear other skeptics, incl myself, I realised that sometimes he get hung up on the details and forget the picture.

Read posts about what? What picture?

Of course I am not saying we forget the details, just that we add in the total as well as the sum of the whole.

We need to do both, disect things and examine the complete picture.

What picture? Context please?

 

[themyst]

I was hoping not to use examples, for reasons of my own.

I suppose the cheap explanation is, look at any thread and its post replies and you will see how it can fall apart into details.

an example ... http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=2305677#post2305677

Please note that I am only using this post as an example NOT an attack. The breaking down of my original stament is correct. I was just wondering if, in the breaking down line by line of my statment, we have not forgotten the original thought behind the post.

 

[Cosmo]

So you're objecting to debating point-by-point, analyzing an argument by its individual pieces?

If so, what is your proposed alternative?

 

[themyst]

That is just it, I am NOT objecting to debating point-by-point, nor am I against analyzing an argument by its individual pieces.

I am just saying that sometimes we loose the big picture amongst all that detail. To be so focused on the details, we loose the forest, I am just suggesting that once we have broken down the statment to each individule point, we stop and take a step back.

 

[Zep]

You mean: We must not forget WHY we are analysing arguments point-by-point? Keeping the goal(s) of the analysis in mind?

 

[themyst]

You mean: We must not forget WHY we are analysing arguments point-by-point? Keeping the goal(s) of the analysis in mind?

Yes.

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Oh, that's easy, then: to win souls for our Lord Lucifer, peas be upon Him.

 

[Zep]

Umm, OK.

http://www.deliciousorganics.com/images/peas.jpg

 

[clarsct]

'Lucifer' is the name of his goat, Zep. he's just airing one of his fanatasies.



As for the rest, God is in the details.....

 

[themyst]

As for the rest, God is in the details.....

Is it god or religion that is actually in the details?

 

[Cosmo]

That is just it, I am NOT objecting to debating point-by-point, nor am I against analyzing an argument by its individual pieces.

I am just saying that sometimes we loose the big picture amongst all that detail. To be so focused on the details, we loose the forest, I am just suggesting that once we have broken down the statment to each individule point, we stop and take a step back.

You mean: We must not forget WHY we are analysing arguments point-by-point? Keeping the goal(s) of the analysis in mind?

Yes.

What makes you believe that this is a problem some users currently have? Why do you believe that some people are not keeping the "big picture" in mind?

 

[Roboramma]

One of the biggest

Well thanks!

problems of religion

Tell me about it!

is the fact

Do you mean it as a question? Well, then, yes, I think it is a fact.

that the can not or

Must be tough.

they refuse

Don't let that stop you. Force them!

to see the trees for the forest.

I enjoy it too. I remember walking through the jungle in india and every tree was different. Ah, memories, I can't wait to go back.

For them it is in the whole

Oh! That's the last place I thought to look! Thanks!

not in the details.

Huh? What are you talking about?
This is starting to make so little sense I'm going to ignore the rest of your post.

 

[Cosmo]

 

[themyst]

What makes you believe that this is a problem some users currently have? Why do you believe that some people are not keeping the "big picture" in mind?

I never said it was a problem any user had.

Neither did I mention anything about any user not keeping the big picture in mind.

I just said that our methods allow the possibility for us to become sidetracked.

 

[Z]

As they say, 'the devil is in the details.'

 

[themyst]

As they say, 'the devil is in the details.'

That would be us?