Comments on: The One-Reason Worldview http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:13:41 +0000 By: uhclem http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25945 uhclem Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:32:43 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25945 I would just like to point out that this one-reason business, specifically the lack thereof, reminds me of an earlier post of mine. Consider the following statement made back in June on this blog: "What is worthy of respect is not self-congratulatory pox-on-both-your-houses rhetoric, but steadfast adherence to the principle that there is such a thing as truth, that we can find out what it is, and that the effort to do so is a worthwhile one." http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/06/be-hot-or-cold.html#comment-24507 This statement falls pretty close to the concept objected to here, namely a belief that "a single grand, overarching cause explains and underlies literally everything." My point at the time was that doubt is a virtue, especially in the sciences. I suppose that "the truth" isn't exactly a cause, although the quest for "the truth" is cause enough for a lot of scientists. Just playing devil's advocate here, and imagining some fundamentalist claiming it's the pot calling the kettle black. GD I would just like to point out that this one-reason business, specifically the lack thereof, reminds me of an earlier post of mine. Consider the following statement made back in June on this blog:

"What is worthy of respect is not self-congratulatory pox-on-both-your-houses rhetoric, but steadfast adherence to the principle that there is such a thing as truth, that we can find out what it is, and that the effort to do so is a worthwhile one."

http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/06/be-hot-or-cold.html#comment-24507

This statement falls pretty close to the concept objected to here, namely a belief that "a single grand, overarching cause explains and underlies literally everything."

My point at the time was that doubt is a virtue, especially in the sciences. I suppose that "the truth" isn't exactly a cause, although the quest for "the truth" is cause enough for a lot of scientists. Just playing devil's advocate here, and imagining some fundamentalist claiming it's the pot calling the kettle black.

GD

]]> By: superhappyjen http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25930 superhappyjen Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:27:40 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25930 <blockquote>Evolution is, after all, more than a scientific theory. It is a worldview—a way of understanding all of life that entirely excludes God.</blockquote> This is my favourite quote from the Kennedy article. Except I think this is a good thing!

Evolution is, after all, more than a scientific theory. It is a worldview—a way of understanding all of life that entirely excludes God.

This is my favourite quote from the Kennedy article. Except I think this is a good thing!

]]> By: OMGF http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25929 OMGF Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:51:35 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25929 <blockquote>In religious fundamentalism, as well, the one-reason worldview is common. In this column, right-wing Christian spokesman D. James Kennedy blames the theory of evolution for abortion, homosexuality, racism, genocide, and teen suicide.</blockquote> Ha ha, like those things never existed by Darwin came around. I'm sure the Amalekites would disagree with Kennedy on this score, just for one Biblical example.

In religious fundamentalism, as well, the one-reason worldview is common. In this column, right-wing Christian spokesman D. James Kennedy blames the theory of evolution for abortion, homosexuality, racism, genocide, and teen suicide.

Ha ha, like those things never existed by Darwin came around. I'm sure the Amalekites would disagree with Kennedy on this score, just for one Biblical example.

]]> By: Paleoguy http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25925 Paleoguy Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:54:14 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25925 I think what always gets me is how someone on the extreme right will take the attributes attributed to them in this article and shoot them right back at me. For some reason that always catches me off gaurd and I'm like wha the fu.......... I find it impossible to discuss anything pertaining to religion, politics, or science with someone who holds a one-reason view of the universe. I think what always gets me is how someone on the extreme right will take the attributes attributed to them in this article and shoot them right back at me. For some reason that always catches me off gaurd and I'm like wha the fu..........

I find it impossible to discuss anything pertaining to religion, politics, or science with someone who holds a one-reason view of the universe.

]]> By: Antigone http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25923 Antigone Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:13:18 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25923 The Einstein Myth? The Einstein Myth?

]]> By: Alex Weaver http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25920 Alex Weaver Fri, 03 Aug 2007 20:23:46 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25920 PS: I'm pretty sure the name "Dr. Frankenstein Fallacy" is reserved for the tendency to view scientists as megalomaniacs, drunk on power through "playing god", and with no concern for the consequences. I'm not sure what label to use for this one, though... PS: I'm pretty sure the name "Dr. Frankenstein Fallacy" is reserved for the tendency to view scientists as megalomaniacs, drunk on power through "playing god", and with no concern for the consequences. I'm not sure what label to use for this one, though...

]]> By: Alex Weaver http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25919 Alex Weaver Fri, 03 Aug 2007 20:20:34 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25919 It occurs to me that this may be simply a more extreme form of a maladaptive tendency to seek simply-phrased, intuitively satisfying explanations that exists in the general population--witness the rush to blame school shootings on the influence of video games or incidents of rape on viewing pornography, for example, or, a bit closer to home for me, the rush to blame vaccinations for the occurrence of autism. The basic problem is that people want a concrete, intuitive answer--they "want an enemy they can see," so to speak--and if they can find one that fits their preconceptions, that's just perfect. Unfortunately, scientists and skeptics seem to be the only corner of society making any effort to teach people that this is not a viable way to relate to the world. It occurs to me that this may be simply a more extreme form of a maladaptive tendency to seek simply-phrased, intuitively satisfying explanations that exists in the general population--witness the rush to blame school shootings on the influence of video games or incidents of rape on viewing pornography, for example, or, a bit closer to home for me, the rush to blame vaccinations for the occurrence of autism. The basic problem is that people want a concrete, intuitive answer--they "want an enemy they can see," so to speak--and if they can find one that fits their preconceptions, that's just perfect. Unfortunately, scientists and skeptics seem to be the only corner of society making any effort to teach people that this is not a viable way to relate to the world.

]]> By: Tommykey http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25914 Tommykey Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:44:02 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25914 Dead on target. And it always cracks me up that these Fundies "know" that the Grand Canyon was created by Noah's Flood, thereby discounting the work of experts in geology, as if the latter's research and studies were all just a waste of time. Dead on target.

And it always cracks me up that these Fundies "know" that the Grand Canyon was created by Noah's Flood, thereby discounting the work of experts in geology, as if the latter's research and studies were all just a waste of time.

]]> By: Polly http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25913 Polly Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:15:35 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25913 <blockquote>These groups typically attract precisely those people who are uncomfortable with complexity and ambiguity</blockquote> <blockquote>Until we as a society learn to value critical thinking, there will always be those who will gladly accept easy answers whenever they are offered.</blockquote> Your diagnosis is spot on. It's sheer intellectual lethargy that drives the hope that a map of the universe-and-everything exists and has been presented to us. It's hard work to deal with your opponents and to see the same problem from many different angles. And sometimes you just want the bottom line answer so you can get on with your life. But, there is no bottom line, often times, just an ongoing debate ad infinitum - no answer key in the back of the book and no judgment day when a sky daddy will tell you you were right and everyone else was wrong. This is the biggest reason it's hard for someone to question his/her worldview; it's like starting all over again with no hope of finishing.

These groups typically attract precisely those people who are uncomfortable with complexity and ambiguity

Until we as a society learn to value critical thinking, there will always be those who will gladly accept easy answers whenever they are offered.

Your diagnosis is spot on. It's sheer intellectual lethargy that drives the hope that a map of the universe-and-everything exists and has been presented to us.
It's hard work to deal with your opponents and to see the same problem from many different angles. And sometimes you just want the bottom line answer so you can get on with your life. But, there is no bottom line, often times, just an ongoing debate ad infinitum - no answer key in the back of the book and no judgment day when a sky daddy will tell you you were right and everyone else was wrong. This is the biggest reason it's hard for someone to question his/her worldview; it's like starting all over again with no hope of finishing.

]]> By: Jim Baerg http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25912 Jim Baerg Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:00:11 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/08/the-one-reason-worldview.html#comment-25912 I'd be surprised if someone hasn't already mentioned this book in digital (pdf) form, on this blog. But I'll mention it now because the 'authoritarian follower' personality Bob Altenmeyer discusses is just what you are talking about. http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/ I'd be surprised if someone hasn't already mentioned this book in digital (pdf) form, on this blog. But I'll mention it now because the 'authoritarian follower' personality Bob Altenmeyer discusses is just what you are talking about.

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

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