Rendering Unto Caesar: Demonizing Humanism‏

[sophia_sadek]

For those who suspect that the Platonic Cave of Ignorance does not actually exist, I recommend reading this work by Matt Barber. He has a bee in his bonnet over humanism. His commentary makes the assertion that both Stalinist Communism and German National Socialism were manifestations of humanism. Nothing better matches the paradigm of the Cave

Comments

[underlankers]

.

[kylinrouge]

I could live without a calender and always know when it's Tuesday.

[kylinrouge]

You're really stretching the definition of a discussable topic with each and every one of these, aren't you?

[sophia_sadek]

I take it you have no desire to round up those pesky humanists and lock them up in forced labor camps.

[kylinrouge]

Even if I did, that's not exactly a discussable political topic.

[sophia_sadek]

Is it not discussable because you would play your cards close to your chest?

[pastorlenny]

That's not actually what the parable of the cave is about.

[sophia_sadek]

What does it mean to you?

[pastorlenny]

What it means to me is of no relevance. What matters is what Plato meant by it. You probably need to study idealism and deconstruction.

[sophia_sadek]

Which description of idealism do you think has the best handle on what Plato meant?

BTW, I would never argue that the Cave scenario described by Plato describes exactly the state of religious fundamentalism today. Since it is a different flavor of fundamentalism than that which existed at the time of Plato, the manipulation of objects would naturally be different.

[meus_ovatio]

Humanism is what people believe when they don't really have anything to say.

Hey-o!

I like science...

[sophia_sadek]

There are a significant number of humanists with a great deal to say. Do you consider them to be empty talkers?

[meus_ovatio]

I like being ethical. I like realizing potential. I like science. I like humans. I like knowing things.

[sophia_sadek]

Beware lest the anti-humanism police come for you.

[curseangel]

I misread Matt Barber as Matt Bomer and got very curious for a second. Then it died. :(

[sophia_sadek]

One is a real con man and the other plays one on TV.

[curseangel]

idk about Barber, but Matt Bomer is amazing. (Neal Caffrey is possibly even more amazing. I love that show. :D)