Re: MD secular humanism and dynamic quality

From: Sam Norton (elizaphanian@tiscali.co.uk)
Date: Thu Mar 25 2004 - 08:15:24 GMT

  • Next message: Michael Mathews: "Re: MD quality religion"

    Hi Matt,

    > Matt:
    > Well, the problem I have with conceding that "it is at least _prima facie_ plausible that there
    will come a time when the Dynamic evolution of secular humanism requires a reconsideration of its
    basic tenets" is a legitimate objection is that I don't see it as an objection. I simply agree with
    you and fail to see why I shouldn't be able to.

    I think you've slightly misunderstood what I'm driving at. I didn't think you'd disagree with the
    'basic tenets' point, so I was wanting to drive you towards explaining the language that secular
    humanism provides to enable that Dynamic evolution of the basic tenets. Which essentially you've
    answered by saying 'free speech' (which I think is right). Yet, on the other hand, on pragmatic
    grounds, you rule out religiously grounded criticisms of secular humanism, so in effect you're
    saying that "secular humanism can evolve through free speech (except religious free speech)".

    What I really want you to explain is how you distinguish the sort of language which religious
    criticisms of secular humanism might use, from those sorts of language which are necessary for
    allowing the Dynamic evolution of secular humanism. It seems to me that they're the same sort of
    language. In other words, the sort of 'basic tenets' criticism of secular humanism is _of necessity_
    something like religious speech. Different vocabularies between the different religions (or even the
    MoQ), but a distinct family resemblance - and it's that family resemblance which I'm getting at,
    which I think you have disallowed with your pragmatic boundaries. Or is your boundary more
    fine-grained than I'm appreciating?

    Does that make sense?

    Sam

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