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To: WilliamIII

The question itself is irrational.

Rationality is a subset of mind within some individuals. In fact only a small minority of individuals are rational as a state of mind. A larger group are intermittently rational. But by far the greatest number are not.

There is a likelihood that the human species chose rationality as the specific center of our species’ mind for survival reasons. This is because when a person’s mind is near rationality, it is better disposed than with the easy distractions found in other states of mind.

That is, if you are being chased by a tiger, you do not want to become distracted by being overly focused on something unimportant; nor do you want to have an unfocused state of mind. You want to have a mindset of getting away from that tiger ASAP.

But, as a side effect of this rational state of mind, people tend to become self-centered, even to the point of thinking that they mentally define and can control reality, and in that way are like little gods.

Which as you might suspect comes into strong conflict with any mention of a supreme deity being in charge.

This conflict was known even to the ancient Hebrews. And they noted that the one thing someone could do that was pretty much guaranteed to get God’s attention, and not in a good way, was for a man to have godlike pretensions.

When someone like Nimrod, the Al Gore of the ancient world, tried to build the tower of Babel all the way to heaven, God put him in his place. But modern philosophers have recognized in Nimrod a kindred spirit.

The arrogance of rationality.


33 posted on 12/22/2011 5:17:50 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

A better question is: is it rational to behave as a Christian?

Of course not. Turning the other cheek, following all ten commandments out of hunger for spirituality and revulsion of sin puts you deep in Darwin’s crosshairs.

But I wouldn’t, couldn’t have it any other way.


37 posted on 12/22/2011 5:23:49 PM PST by txhurl (Perry/Pence 2012 OR Perry/Ryan 2012 or even better Perry/Abbott 2012!)
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

Hermetically sealed “rationality” that refuses to consider evidence that demands a verdict is, of course, irrational. We are witnesses to the Age of Rationality producing the Age of Irrationality.


55 posted on 12/22/2011 5:49:51 PM PST by PapaNew
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