You mean "doctrine".
><<Everything is a system...>>
>
>This doesn't work for me at all. Systems don't exist except in our naming
>them. All is complex, chaotic, stuff. All interacts with all else. We stay
>sane by pretending we can reduce things to simple models, but no such model
>is 100% accurate.
I disagree for the same reasons as Robin. Systems exist (as much as
anything, including chaotic stuff, exists) independently of minds.
I don't see what the fact that no model is 100% accurate has to do
with it.
><<What is going on? Evolution on all scales...>>
>
>Evolution is not the only process. Self-organization, catastrophe, and or
>course consciousness are also important forces.
Evolution is a type of self-organization. Catastrophe is an inherent
aspect of evolution. Consciousness is a type of evolution. Besides,
I didn't say or mean to imply that evolution was the only process.
><<What does it all mean? Things mean what they cause... >>
>
>Things mean what we make them mean. Nothing has inherent meaning.
If meaning = effect, then things do have inherent meaning. Of course
it depends entirely on what "meaning" means to you. My definition
is self-consistent in that its meaning lies in its effect on you.
><<Why am I here?
>The proximal cause lies with your parents. If you are looking for an
>ultimate cause, you will have to find it yourself but don't let anyone
>convince you your reason for living is to serve some higher authority. >>
>
>And if they don't agree, tell 'em I said so.
I don't claim to be an authority.
><<What should I do?
>The most important thing to learn is how to think critically. Constantly
>question your beliefs, avoid inconsistency, and act rationally. Create a
>meaningful life by influencing the world around you. (See the Virian sins
>and virtues.) >>
>
>I would say the second part, not the first, is most important. I would
>stress consciousness over critical thinking. Academia is full of unconscious
>criticizers accomplishing little but to make themselves and others unhappy.
Yes, I think you're right about that (except that critical thinkers
are not necessarily criticizers). Creating a meaningful life is most
important, and that (I suggest) is the task of all good religions and
religion-like philosophies. The critical thinking part is what
(hopefully) sets the CoV apart from the rest.
-- David McFadzean david@lucifer.com Memetic Engineer http://www.lucifer.com/~david/ Church of Virus http://www.lucifer.com/virus/