So, this is intended more a discussion topic than a debate topic, but this week's reading material made me think of something that might be fun to bat around. I started reading a comic series called Low, a post-apocalpytic, underwater sci-fi. Now, the main protagonist in the first volume follows a belief system in which, through some quantum woo explanation, our thoughts and intentions shape the physical world on some psychic level -- think The Secret or Deepak Chopra. Here's the thing though: I love the character and I love the comic. She, despite having a belief system that makes me roll my eyes so much it hurts, is a highly relatable character, and the author manages to write a good story, no matter how much I may agree with some of the philosophical agenda. That got me thinking of other examples, like Hero. I love, love that film, no matter how much I hate the draconian political message it spouts. I can't stand Ayn Rand or most of her writing, but I actually enjoyed Anthem. I disagree profoundly with C.S. Lewis's philosophy, but I enjoy reading the way he communicates it in Mere Christianity. The Left Behind serious was . . . just, terrible, but another Christian apocalyptic fiction book I read from a preterist was actually quite enjoyable. So, here's my idea for a discussion: when have you most enjoyed being in "enemy" philosophical territory? I'm thinking mostly of film and books (whether fiction or non-fiction), but even conversations you've had can fit the bill. What philosophical or religious idea do you strongly reject, but have found yourself entranced by its communication?
I like the musical JC Superstar, does that count? I saw it on Broadway in the 70s, it was great then and it's still great today. Also, I played bass in a production of Godspell. That was a lot of fun, and there's some good music there.
Hey, that's actually a great example. I never saw Godspell, and I've never seen Superstar live, but I absolutely love the music from it, as well as the way they structured the story. Hm, I think I'm going to jam out to Simon Zealotes's song for a minute.
My brother had the Superstar album. I must have played it a million times, it never gets old. The Godspell production led to a few cast members forgetting their marriage vows - lol
Lewis' "Screwtape Letters" is a fun read...though I don't agree with this primitive idea of "devils", All that is, is simply a Judeo-Christian re-hash of the old "evil spirits" that date back to the first cave-guy trying to explain why it rained on his fire when he was freezinig....or why his kid died of dysentery....or why locusts ate his local fruit orchard. I think Heinlein's idea of a "military democracy" in "Starship Troopers" was well-written and not that preachy (Unlike Ayn Rand's crap...where it's 20% fiction, 80% Ayn droning on and on via her characters). Though most RAH fans tend to believe that Heinlein himself didn't actually believe in the idea of a "government where only veterans could vote.".....that it was just more of a thought experiment. In the same way, "Strangers in a Strange Land" was a fun take on religion.....not Heinlein's support for "free love" and post-mortem cannibalism. More popular culture....like movies about "God", "angels", "Heaven", "Hell", or "the after-life" are fun.... even if you don't believe in standard Theism or an after-life. Albert Brooks' "Defending Your Life"....or Swayze/Moore's "Ghost"....or Kevin Smith's "Dogma"...."Angel Heart" (Mickey Rourke, Robert DeNiro)....."Bruce Almighty" (Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman)...."What Dreams May Come" (Robin Williams).
No I don't think Heinlein actually thought that society should be run that way, it was an interesting thought experiment in determining an electorate. Historically, that's been a problem for Republics; what is the criteria for determining which class of people will deliver the best societal electoral results? I think there is a lot to commend the idea of requiring some sort of federal service to vote, but it's an idea that you can only do if you are starting your own brand new society. Our society gets the vapors if you think only literate people should vote.
In "The Last Temptation Of Christ" not only was William Dafoe brilliant but he portrayed an actual Jesus that could easily be believed. The meeting with Saul or better known as Paul was priceless and exactly summed up my actual opinion of Paul... that he was a scam artist and money hungry!
Zulu, just about everything I do not like about my countries history, imperialism,empire, colonialism even the idea of the noble savage and glorification of war. I laugh at my own hypocrisy when the Welsh start singing "Men of Harlech" in the final battle scene.
Sure. Many points I like to make have to do with rejecting the first idea that comes to mind, which means many of my "enemies" resonate very well with the human condition, which we all, me included, partake in. Similarly, I like to focus on how seemingly good ideas are impossible to make true in practice, which means some of my philosophical enemies have absolutely wonderful ideas for utopias.
