Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Tetralemma

Everything is either true
or it is not true
or it is both true and not true
or it is neither true or not true.
That is the Buddha's teaching.

When I say I disagree, it does not mean that I think you're wrong...
and it certainly doesn't mean that I think that I'm right. It means I am not willing to sign on to any particular side in a discussion.

What is the difference between an idea and a belief?
An belief is an idea that is looking for a fight.

What is the difference between knowledge and belief?
Knowledge is belief with some evidentiary support for belittling its opponents.

Both knowledge and belief are intellectual bad manners. When we think, we entertain a variety of ideas and a variety of observations that both support and refute the claims we are discussing. As soon as someone asserts belief or knowledge, the discussion is over and politeness is ignored.

Some may find the sceptic rude when the sceptic argues points that others have already decided. However, the believer is actually the rude person because the believer has decided that the discussion is over — and worse — that anyone still discussing the matter is pigheaded, dense, or is patronized as being naive or unlearned.

There is a rollicking kindness that looks like malice.

The sceptic wants to allow others to enter the discussion and to be allowed to present unpopular opinions. The sceptic is not looking for agreement or resolution; the sceptic wants to be the host to a good discussion.

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