My message to "newbies" studying Objectivism

Hi Jenna,

Not so funny, how it always seems to come back to Socrates advising us to first know thyself. Second, likely, is to learn how to communicate it. What a journey you are on Jenna.

I see your message to "newbies" equally helpful for the Objectivist Warhorses.

Those grey areas to me, draw attention to those times where more research is should, or could be done; but the situation requires an immediate decision. The black and white area becomes a recognition that one can go with one's gut reaction, or make a career ruminating on the blacks and whites.

There is an old saying, whose phrasing I can't quite quote;      In matters of style, go with the flow
                                                                                             In matters of substance fight like hell

However, wherein lies the substance?   How is it that all arguments become circles?

Sharon

Post 21

Monday, May 1, 2006 - 4:00pm

How is it that all arguments become circles?

Maybe 'cause the people in the arguments can't see the circles that they're moving in? I.e., they can't see the rollercoaster from far away? That's my guess....

I usually make my own substance. Someone said to me at the gamer thingie this past weekend:

"If you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate!" [grin]

Post 22

Monday, May 1, 2006 - 4:20pm

Ironically a cartoonist who I don't think is too keen on Objectivism managed to explain the best part of the whole black/white thing.

The primary problem with gray is when it is used as a dissmissal (as in, "everything's gray, nothing is so simple you can make a positive decision on it so don't even try). There are a lot of things that are in a gray area... but there are dark grays and light grays and you better be damn sure when things get too dark for you.

---Landon

Post 23

Monday, May 1, 2006 - 6:40pm

gw: I'm taking this chance to thank you for Post 9! But! Don't follow me, 'cause if I goof, then you goof too. :)

Question: I do both "right" and "left" brain thinking. Sometimes both at once, sometimes one is more stressed than the other, which I can influence at will. Vladimir Nabokov studied butterflies as a professional scientist, yet wrote some interesting literature. Does anyone here notice that they do this type of thinking?

Post 24

Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 12:28pm