Re: virus: C of V: Another Religion

Dave Pape (davepape@dial.pipex.com)
Sun, 2 Feb 1997 21:49:34 GMT


At 00:25 31/01/97 -0800, David R wrote:
>Dave Pape wrote:
>
>>I don't decide to have a new idea, I either have one or I don't, and I'd
>>propose that this process is one of memes interacting, in my brain, the way
>>memes do.
>
>Isn't it the same as saying:
> "I don't decide to have a new idea, I either have one or I don't,
> and I'd propose that this process is one of *angels/devils* interacting,
> in my brain, the way *angels/devils* do."

No, because I don't attribute any will or choice or moral qualities or
character to any individual angel or devil.

>>And to me, a decision is the resolution of a competition between conflicting
>>memes/ideas in my brain. Not "me" "freely deciding" what to do... just one
>>meme outcompeting another for expression in my behaviour.
>
>Again:
> "And to me, a decision is the resolution of a competition between
>conflicting
> ideas in my brain. Not "me" "freely deciding" what to do... just one
> *angel/devil* outcompeting another for expression in my behaviour."

...PLUS I think that memes arise from neural processing in human brains. I
think it's neurological processes that GIVE RISE TO memes. Angels and devils
are more... outside influences, aren't they?

>Very useful concept if one wants to avoid responsibility for one's actions.
>It has been tried many times and it still works.

I tend to get this point every time I post the argument you're replying to.

1 Just because you could possibly use a concept to "avoid
responsibility for your actions" doesn't impact on how well that concept
reflects the real world. I'm afraid that I didn't come here to prescribe how
the world SHOULD or SHOULDN'T work, I'm just interested in working out how I
think it DOES work.
2 I think the concept of responsibility is a meme. It's a meme that's
very common, because it's very advantageous to have a strong concept that if
you go around doing certain things to people, those people will batter you
or incarcerate you. I don't believe in God, Good, or Evil as having any
objective reality, but I still don't go around doing just what I want,
because I'm scared of being punished. PLUS I've heard of plenty of people
who've done attrocious things to other people, believing themselves to be
very socially responsible.

Dave Pape
===============================================================================
The memetic equivalent of a G3 bullpup-design assault rifle blowing a full
clip at my opponent. (Alex Williams 1996)

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