 Two long-winded questions. |
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 Nov 19 2009, 10:03 AM
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#1
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 Member  Group: Members Posts: 902 Joined: 3-December 06 From: Toronto Member No.: 6,322  |
Given the ubiquity of religious practices and various religious narratives in comparison to the relative uncommonness of philosophical narratives in both popular discourse and public debate, is it erroneous to think that when democracy, as that political system where the will of the plebeian majority is sovereign, truly prevails it would create a condition where humanity forgoes truth and enlightenment for faith and God?
Of course, one may object that science has an important role to play in preventing the possible tyranny of myth over reason, since science is the very condition for the development of technologies which presently determine the quality of so many lives. But in the sheer absence of a unified theory, the gap between faith and enlightenment remains. And during that time of dread and uncertainty, exacerbated by many opposing sides, all of whom have no decisive answer to the basic ontological questions that common people continue to ask, who is the true enemy of truth: religion or democracy? -------------------- ... to take nihilism seriously is to commit suicide, to cease completely to act and--consequently--to live. But the radical Skeptic does not interest Hegel, because, by definition, he disappears by committing suicide, he ceases to be, and consequently he ceases to be a human being, an agent of historical evolution. Only the Nihilist who remains alive is interesting.
Kojčve Memory makes experience timeless. Weininger |
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Nov 19 2009, 03:03 PM
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#2
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 3,849 Joined: 30-October 06 From: Victoria, Australia Member No.: 5,957 |
QUOTE(zeitlos @ Nov 20 2009, 02:03 AM)  Given the ubiquity of religious practices and various religious narratives in comparison to the relative uncommonness of philosophical narratives in both popular discourse and public debate, is it erroneous to think that when democracy, as that political system where the will of the plebeian majority is sovereign, truly prevails it would create a condition where humanity forgoes truth and enlightenment for faith and God? Given such ridged parameters, yes. QUOTE(zeitlos @ Nov 20 2009, 02:03 AM) But in the sheer absence of a unified theory, the gap between faith and enlightenment remains. And during that time of dread and uncertainty, exacerbated by many opposing sides, all of whom have no decisive answer to the basic ontological questions that common people continue to ask, who is the true enemy of truth: religion or democracy? The true enemy of truth is incircumspect derivation. -------------------- "The Graal... is a weight so heavy that creatures in the bondage of sin are unable to move it from its place." ─Wolfram von Eschenbach, Parzival, IX, 477 |
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Nov 19 2009, 06:44 PM
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#3
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 Here for the webhosting Group: Members Posts: 8,759 Joined: 19-June 01 From: Texas Member No.: 308 |
I think there is an underlying premise that faith and enlightenment are two different things, religion and truth are two different things.
Many people believe their religion reflects revealed truth. -------------------- "Somewhat is sure design'd, by fraud or force:
Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse."- Virgil, Aeneid |
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 8th September 2010 - 06:32 PM |