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To: spunkets

Nevertheless, you are making a choice because you value enjoyment. If this choice is to be based solely on reason, you must have a reason why enjoyment has value. Else, it's not a choice based solely on reason.

Now, you may wish to say, "just because it does." In which case, you have an unconditional value statement - which cannot be know by reason alone.

Therefore. your choices made based on this value are not choices made solely on reason.

So.. does enjoyment have value to you because..., or "just because."


2,576 posted on 12/20/2006 9:21:41 PM PST by D-fendr
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To: D-fendr
'Nevertheless, you are making a choice because you value enjoyment."

There's no choice, it's simply an observation. I also do not value enjoyment for it's own sake. I value life, because I enjoy it. I'd find enjoyment in the midst of what I don't enjoy.

"If this choice is to be based solely on reason, you must have a reason why enjoyment has value. Else, it's not a choice based solely on reason."

What choice? As I said I find enjoyment in life. That means it's an observation and the cause for the enjoyment need not even be known for it to be a valid rational motivator. There is no identifiable cause for enjoyment in general. The causes are numerous, particular and varied. Enjoyment is like temperature, it's always positive.

"Now, you may wish to say, "just because it does." In which case, you have an unconditional value statement - which cannot be know by reason alone. "

Everything can be known by observation and reason. It's apparent that you don't know what reason is. Reason is a logic process used to uncover the truth and logical relationships. It is not an adjective to be applied to motivating causes such as generalized concept of enjoyment.

"So.. does enjoyment have value to you because..., or "just because.""

There's no way to answer the question, because enjoyment in general includes too many things to go over. I find enjoyment in life, that is sufficient rational reason to live. What the particulars are in mind, at any moment are irrelevant, there's still enjoyment in there somewhere. There is nothing at all to be observed when one is not alive.

2,585 posted on 12/20/2006 11:26:46 PM PST by spunkets
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To: D-fendr; spunkets
The danger with only using reason and logic, is that you have to be very careful what you base assumptions are. For instance, I met a very interesting person who had very logical reasons for believing the world did not exist. He started with some flawed assumptions, but used correct logic and reasoning from there on.

Logic is a great tool, but a very fearsome master. If all I used was logic and reason, then I could find no reason not to kill all unproductive members of society. Logic would show that since resources are scarce, and some do nothing to expand said resources but only exist to consume them, then if one (or we as the society) kills them, there will be more for the rest of us. Some British doctors are using logic just like that to push for the killing of handicapped children.
2,601 posted on 12/21/2006 6:16:52 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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