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naraburns  nihil supernum  1yr ago (text post)   2285 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for April 7, 2023

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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Bing: I see. You are suggesting that Rand and Lewis had a common goal of creating a free and prosperous society, but for different reasons and with different motivations. You are also suggesting that this is the point where their philosophical differences become irreconcilable, and that they should agree to disagree on the ultimate questions of life. I think that's a reasonable position to take, but I wonder if Rand and Lewis would be satisfied with it. Do you think they would be willing to set aside their differences and work together for a common cause? Or do you think they would insist on defending their views and challenging each other's views?

Me: I think that once they recognize their common cause of a free and prosperous society in which both of their goals can be met without having to resolve the ultimate questions of life, they can work toward their common cause while civilly challenging each other's views through letters and articles. Thank you for this delightful discussion! I feel we, like my hypothetical civil Rand and Lewis, have come to a good understanding together of what can be resolved in harmony.

Bing: You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed this discussion as much as I did. I think you have a very thoughtful and respectful approach to exploring different views and finding common ground. I appreciate your insights and questions. Thank you for chatting with me. Have a wonderful day! 😊

Post-mortem:

That was grueling! At first I had a hard time persuading Bing there was even any common ground. This was a true test of my wit, my skills, and my reliance on the same higher power who Lewis believed in.

I think the most interesting point Bing brought up, a core concept which I didn't even touch on, was this:

"They also disagreed on the role of emotions in cognition. Rand denied that emotions could be tools of cognition; she argued that emotions are not facts and do not tell us anything about reality. She said that emotions are automatic responses to our value judgments, and that we need reason to evaluate our emotions and act accordingly. Lewis, on the other hand, insisted that emotions could be legitimate guides; he argued that emotions are not irrational impulses but natural reactions to objective values. He said that emotions can reveal truths about ourselves, others, and God, and that we need both reason and emotion to live fully human lives."

A legitimate reading of both authors' works! While Rand would have called Lewis a mystic, and rightly so, it's within his ontology to consider the conscience an echo of the Holy Spirit. Both agree, however, that emotions are not solely irrational impulses, but reactions to whatever it is in our heads which considers value. My own perspective, as the Triessentialist, is that emotions come from a variety of sources, and it's up to us to crop out those which are debased, fouled, spiteful, useless, etc. Once we do, our wills will be freer to pursue the purposes we put ourselves to.

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