Are Objectivists Mutants
Posted by Zenphamy 8 years, 11 months ago to Philosophy
Although the linked article discusses the topic of critical thinking from the viewpoint of science based medicine vs. 'complementary and alternative medicine, I find a great deal of similarity to my thoughts concerning being an Objectivist in life as well as a member of this site, lately. From childhood till now as an senior, I've often thought that there was just something different going on in my mind than that in others' minds. I've found a very few in my life that think much like I do, but they are rare.
From the Article: All emphasis added.
"There is a huge disconnect between what science-based medicine calls evidence and what alternative medicine and the general public call evidence. They are using the same word, but speaking a different language, making communication next to impossible."
"“Alternative medicine,” along with “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) and “integrative medicine,” is not a meaningful scientific term, but a marketing term created to lend respectability to things that we used to call by less respectable names like quackery, folk medicine, and fringe medicine." (Add Like Politics, Conservatism, Progressivism, Religion, etc. etc.)
"Today we have more sources of information, but our minds still work the old way. We prefer stories to studies, anecdotes to analyses. We see patterns where none exist. We jump to false conclusions based on insufficient evidence. Emotions trump facts. If your neighbor had a bad experience with a Toyota, you’re likely to remember his story and not buy a Toyota even if Consumer Reports says it’s the most reliable brand. That isn’t logical, but humans are not Vulcans. When we act illogically, we’re just doing what evolution has equipped us to do. It takes a lot of education and discipline to overcome our natural tendencies, and not everyone can do it."
"Ray Hyman is a psychologist and one of the founders of modern skepticism. When I asked him why some people become skeptics and others don’t, he said he thinks skeptics are mutants: something has evolved in our brains to facilitate critical thinking."
So, are we mutants? If we are, will we succeed into the future and become a successful branch of humanity? Or will we continue helping our non-mutated cousins not face extinction, even if inadvertently?
From the Article: All emphasis added.
"There is a huge disconnect between what science-based medicine calls evidence and what alternative medicine and the general public call evidence. They are using the same word, but speaking a different language, making communication next to impossible."
"“Alternative medicine,” along with “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) and “integrative medicine,” is not a meaningful scientific term, but a marketing term created to lend respectability to things that we used to call by less respectable names like quackery, folk medicine, and fringe medicine." (Add Like Politics, Conservatism, Progressivism, Religion, etc. etc.)
"Today we have more sources of information, but our minds still work the old way. We prefer stories to studies, anecdotes to analyses. We see patterns where none exist. We jump to false conclusions based on insufficient evidence. Emotions trump facts. If your neighbor had a bad experience with a Toyota, you’re likely to remember his story and not buy a Toyota even if Consumer Reports says it’s the most reliable brand. That isn’t logical, but humans are not Vulcans. When we act illogically, we’re just doing what evolution has equipped us to do. It takes a lot of education and discipline to overcome our natural tendencies, and not everyone can do it."
"Ray Hyman is a psychologist and one of the founders of modern skepticism. When I asked him why some people become skeptics and others don’t, he said he thinks skeptics are mutants: something has evolved in our brains to facilitate critical thinking."
So, are we mutants? If we are, will we succeed into the future and become a successful branch of humanity? Or will we continue helping our non-mutated cousins not face extinction, even if inadvertently?
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adjective
adjective: mutant
1.
resulting from or showing the effect of mutation.
"a mutant gene"
noun
noun: mutant; plural noun: mutants
1.
a mutant form.
synonyms: freak (of nature), deviant, monstrosity, monster, mutation
"is this insect some sort of mutant?"
Origin
www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?te...
Top Definition. Mutant. 1.A hideously ugly, repulsive, decrepid, foul, grotesque, unsightly, horrid, ill-proportioned, mangy, haggard, crude, bloated or generally ...
A permanent change in any life form to arrive at one of the above life forms as described as opposed to evolving by natural selection.
The answer is No but socialists are.
And this dovetails nicely into Capitalism!
A Capitalist doctor would want to remove my appendix so I would pay him, and continue using his services for the rest of my life. A doctor paid by the Obamacare State is paid by the operation; successful or not. So why should he care if I live or die?
In reference to modern day medicine - (allopathic medicine) has in fact, it's roots in a procedure translated as Quackery. Both allopathic medicine and quackery is the practice of treating symptoms of disease and not the cause, This practice started in earnest during the beginning of the "Progressive era".
Natural medicines, (not the voodoo stuff), always attempted and largely did, address the causes of disease and today use science to find out how and why certain treatments eradicate disease.
See this link about Quackery...if anything, it's interesting: http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/history...
People who write stuff oft nurses an agenda.
Even old dino ain't perfect.
"...something thing is wrong with you!"
Perhaps that is because I am a mutant?
OK... WORKS FOR ME!
I have used this example before. I was once asked if I believed that two plus two makes four?
My answer was "NO" but because I understand the rules and procedures of mathematics I understand why and under what circumstances two plus two makes four.
Belief is a word I use rarely and with great care. I would far rather understand something than simply believe it. Understanding is much more difficult but it is worth the effort.
Just last week my chiropractor made another arthritis flare up go away in a hurry.
This has been going on since the 90s after prescribed medication failed to do the trick..
Early in this decade old dino's knees began to ache.
I was told I needed some kind of shots in my knees.
Decided to take my knees to my chiropractor first. He determined my knees hurt because thigh muscles were tight and went to work on them.
BINGO! .I got better oh so fast.
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