Re: MD The SOL fallacy was the intelligence fallacy (was Rhetoric)

From: Case (Case@iSpots.com)
Date: Wed Oct 05 2005 - 17:23:14 BST

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    [Case]
    You recommendation has caused me to rethink something I said somewhere in an
    unrelated thread about the best philosophers since the renaissance being
    scientists. Aristotle in addition to being a philosopher was among the first
    "scientists." It has been said that the true genius can be measured in how
    long it takes for society to discard a thinker's ideas. By that measure
    Aristotle is a giant indeed.
    Having said that I drawing distinctions between humans and other animals
    does more to conceal our similarities than to highlight our differences. We
    have adapted our way they have adapted their's. It all good. Furthermore
    since apes have been shown to have some capacity for language, mathematics
    and self awareness I would be happy to invite then to the party. They can
    bring the bananas but I would advise keeping them away from the punchbowl.

    Hi Friends,

    This is a really long thread so please forgive me for only skimming the
    better part of it. Now I'll gracelessly dive into the fray. It seems to me
    that if we're looking at Metaphysics, a good place to begin might be with
    the guy who 'invented' it... Aristotle. Thinking as an activity is probably
    not a useful distinction, as cited in the letter to Paul above: " If one
    extends the term intellectual to include primitive cultures just because
    they are thinking about things, why stop there? How about chimpanzees? Don't
    they think? ...snip." Aristotle makes Rationality the defining line between
    humans and other animals. Rational, being the ability to grasp universal
    concepts (God, triangle, Justice... etc). Perhaps this is the intellectual
    level we're looking for? This might be a better compromise than the SOL
    that Bo has proposed (which, admittedly I don't know a lot about) because it
    is more fundamental.
    Thoughts? Comments? Inspirational Messages??

    Rebecca

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