see below
On 26 Aug 2004, at 12:25, wikien-l-request@Wikipedia.org wrote:
Message: 10 Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:26:01 +0200 From: "Pedro Fortuny Ayuso" pfortuny@sdf-eu.org
(...snip...)
- historically untrue,
- (on balance) also absurdly false as regards the present,
- anachronistically missionaristic and
- the positive aspects favoured in this paragraph are the very
ANTITHESIS of how occidental civilization has historically conducted and continues to conduct itself.
Occidental civilization as we know it is largely based on the underlying morality of monotheistic religion(s). As such it is deeply rooted in a moral code that has at its very heart the presumption of an existing all-encompassing principle of GOOD and EVIL.
This is quite wrong and is the basis of the forthcoming error...
This ever-polarizing world view is one of dimensional reduction and not particularly well suited to permit many faceted multi-aspect deliberations and relations. In fact, among all world views and civilizatory movements, it probably stands tall among the absolute WORST suited ones.
Well, you may allow to say that you seem a bit biased in this statemeent, a bit unjust as to the way Western Civilization has evolved and... well just a bit too extreme. The mistake is at the beginning "the all-encompassing principle of GOOD and EVIL" is a misunderstanding which has led to more misunderstandings...
Pedro.
My *typically wikipedian* response:
If you can give any reasons as to /why/ my statement as regards the impact of bipolar morality was "quite wrong", then you are cordially invited to continue this conversation on my talk page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Ropers) or via direct email to ropers -at- ropersonline.com.
-- Jens [[User:Ropers|Ropers]]