tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16768201.post1273708624169790556..comments2023-09-13T06:17:38.045-05:00Comments on Try Reason!: Programmers and ReligionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03560477246248417263noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16768201.post-92156736012978986762008-02-25T21:25:00.000-06:002008-02-25T21:25:00.000-06:00Burgess,I agree on both points. My goal with the ...Burgess,<BR/>I agree on both points. My goal with the post was merely to point out my lack of surprise with the results. I fully realize that many atheists are mystics. BUT, sometimes the relationship between a career demanding a highly rational perspective will 1) attract people that are rational in general and reject mysticism (including God) or 2) inspire rationality in their other world pursuits (and overcome their compartmentalization). The second is by far less likely, and probably more fantasy on my part.<BR/><BR/>At any rate, I'm not implying a universal law or rule. Just my thoughts on why the results turned out the way they did.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560477246248417263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16768201.post-74991664990143411932008-02-22T07:56:00.000-06:002008-02-22T07:56:00.000-06:001. A distinction is important. Reason vs. religion...1. A distinction is important. Reason vs. religion is not the same as reason vs. mysticism. I know atheists who are mystics. <BR/><BR/>Religion is a worldview which includes an epistemology of mysticism. Philosophy is a worldview which includes (often in name only) an epistemology of reason.<BR/><BR/>The concept of mysticism subsumes a variety of forms: claims to instinct, intuition, revelation, "I just know," and "common sense" sometimes. (See Ayn Rand, "Faith and Force," <I>Philosophy: Who Needs It</I>, pp. 75-76 (hb) for the listed items except "common sense," which I have added based on my observation of the way in which some individuals use that phrase.)<BR/><BR/>Some atheists are intutionists, for example. That does not make them pro-reason.<BR/><BR/>2. Many people compartmentalize. A programmer may proceed rationally in his work--and be a mystic crystal-gazer in his off-time. I know. I have met such people.Burgess Laughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865479709475171678noreply@blogger.com