Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

What interests me the most is the weakness of this man's argument and that he has a Ph.D. Conservatism is not the adherence to non change. Also when did clinging ever become a moral principle? This is abstraction gone mad. This is a good example of why academia is so screwed up. First a person defines a false context, then they proceed to build upon the clearly false context. This kind of argument would never have been accepted 100 years ago. This man would've been laughed out of the room.
1 posted on 07/27/2010 12:05:35 AM PDT by Maelstorm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies ]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-33 last
To: Maelstorm

file under “stupid sinners”


36 posted on 07/27/2010 4:38:59 AM PDT by vanilla swirl (Where is the Black Regiment?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm
What's the difference between clinging and commitment?

It's the difference between emotional stability and an "emotional crunch". The former describes a self-sustaining individual who can stand on their own. The latter pertains to someone who leeches their own sense of self worth/esteem from the attentions of another.

The fact that the author, even rhetorically, can't tell the differences bodes very poorly for them.

38 posted on 07/27/2010 5:07:37 AM PDT by Caipirabob ( Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm
"I can illustrate this best by example. Consider these two moral principles: Don't cling. Show commitment."

Neither of these are moral principles in themselves, they are just aspects of behavior. It is when you apply real moral principles to the acts of clinging/commitment that you have behavior which is either ethical or unethical. This Ph.D's analysis never gets off first base because of a flawed initial premise.

42 posted on 07/27/2010 5:19:48 AM PDT by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

Since when are “don’t cling” and “show commitment” moral principles? The problem seems more like self-impressed miseducated types who doubt absolute truths promoting “appropriate advice in specific circumstances” to morality.


43 posted on 07/27/2010 5:21:08 AM PDT by Tribune7 (The Democrat Party is not a political organization but a religious cult.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

Anyone who says that “Don’t cling. Show commitment.” are moral principles is nuts, like most liberals.


44 posted on 07/27/2010 5:28:06 AM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged (leftism: uncurable mental deterioration)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

“Moral* principles do more harm than good.”

Hitler and his fascist leaders believed the same. Many speeches were delivered by Nazi Party members belittling morality and rational thought. Hitler used a stock phrase in a number of speeches calling for Germans to “think in blood.” He derided reasoning and urged Germans to think emotionally. Think in blood was an admonition to throw away reasoning and intellectual thought. Get rid of those two and there’s no morality, only animals hunting victims.

This idiot fascist hack is telling people to become beasts


45 posted on 07/27/2010 5:29:46 AM PDT by sergeantdave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

My hat is off to you, Maelstorm. In first and said it all. Nail has met hammer.


48 posted on 07/27/2010 5:40:18 AM PDT by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (668, neighbor of the beast, is tagline enough)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

I think the author of this piece has too many of his own moral principles cause he sure doesn’t sound very smart.


57 posted on 07/27/2010 6:36:05 AM PDT by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

“Don’t cling” is a moral principle????


58 posted on 07/27/2010 6:55:44 AM PDT by Shimmer1 (If my body dies, then let it die, but let my country live.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm

“Moral principles do more harm than good.”

Classic college level crapola.


59 posted on 07/27/2010 7:05:20 AM PDT by BenLurkin (Will must be the harder, courage the bolder, spirit must be the more, as our might lessens.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm
the moral principle of commitment to tradition that we should continue burning coal

What kind of ridiculous strawman is he setting up? I've never heard anyone suggest such a formulation until just a few moments ago. We should use the most efficient and practical energy sources available, it's good for humanity (and incidentally, good for the environment). "Moral principles of commitment to tradition" never at any point enter into the equation.

60 posted on 07/27/2010 8:41:24 AM PDT by eclecticEel (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: 7/4/1776 - 3/21/2010)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm
How Moral Principles Make Us Dumb

What a bunch of crap.

61 posted on 07/27/2010 11:27:12 AM PDT by bmwcyle (It is Satan's fault)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Maelstorm
How Moral Principles reading drivel from leftwing academics Make[s] Us Dumb

There. Fixed it.

I lost at least 20 IQ points reading this. And wasted five minutes of my life.

62 posted on 07/27/2010 11:34:30 AM PDT by EternalVigilance (I don't believe in atheists. And nihilists are nothing to me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-33 last

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson