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TheAuger

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Everything posted by TheAuger

  1. TheAuger
    Heh, reminds me of the old sitcom, "Herman's Head" -- wasn't too popular. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman%27s_Head
  2. TheAuger
    Jimbo, I've done a fair amount of research into Gnosticism, and can I understand, on one level, why these ideas may be appealing to some -- in particular that the biblical character YHWH is really the "bad guy" forever beguiling humanity through illusion (maybe one reason that the Wachowski siblings used so many Gnostic references in the Matrix series). But Gnosticism itself is still an illusory fable that is based on unsubstantiated texts, and presents no evidence as to why Gnostic beliefs are actually valid or true -- no different than any other spiritual belief system.
  3. TheAuger
    Okay, Libertus -- that may be true -- but how do you know? Do you acknowledge that you seem to be making the exact same assumptions about "the other side"? Maybe I'm missing your point. Anyway, what do any of your views have to do with Matt Dillahunty as a potential guest?
  4. TheAuger
    But the point is that you don't know if any, some, or all of your assertions are true, jpahmad...obviously, it's all conjecture... There is one way to find out, however...
  5. TheAuger

    Comics

    TheAuger replied to Befree's topic in General Messages

    Really awesome work, befree -- excellent rendering and symbolism. Can you tell us a little bit about your technique? Are you using mainly PhotoShop? Your work reminds me of some of the work of David Dees, though he works mainly through PhotoShopped photographs, you both represent some of the same liberty-oriented, anti-statist themes. http://www.r-sw.com/custimages/dd395-2011%20(site).jpg http://www.deesillustration.com/artwork.asp?cat=satire
  6. TheAuger
    Yes, he is a statist -- a self-styled "liberal Democrat" as I recall. In fact a lot of atheists are libdems because they exchange one religion for another. However, by sharing ideas with others outside the anarchist/atheist community, perhaps he and other atheist/statists can begin to apply some of their same arguments against a "cosmic dictator" to real-life rulers. We can't just continue to make our arguments into the echo-chamber of those that already share our beliefs and expect to make "progress". Or by saying, "oh they're a statist, they're bad" (not that that's what jpahamad was saying). Whats the harm in talking with him -- is he going to suddenly convince a bunch of anarchists to worship the state? Maybe he hasn't been exposed to arguments for a voluntarist society? Hey, he changed his mind using reason and evidence after studying theology with the intent of becoming a Baptist preacher -- what's to say he can't also realize the fiction of the state? Maybe there are one or two ideas that Stef could share with Matt that might get him to start thinking about the immorality of the state.
  7. TheAuger
    Matt Dillahunty has been doing some awesome work on rebutting theist arguments for the existence of deities on his youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SansDeity/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0 If you're not already familiar with Matt, he is the regular host of the The Atheist Experience and the NonProphets, and recently made the decision to work as a full-time counter-apologist making videos, and traveling and debating theists. You can support his work here: http://www.patreon.com/AtheistDebates I would like discussion to center around debating techniques and tactics -- efficient use of arguments, common traps and dead ends, what to listen for from your opponent, etc. Check out his apologetics/counter-apologetics wiki at http://www.ironchariots.org
  8. TheAuger
    The "answer" to the trolley problem may be "I don't know the 'correct' choice" or "how could you know the correct choice" (without more specific information [e.g. Is your daughter one of the people tied up on one particular track?]). Nebulous questions tend to get nebulous answers. As I understand it, the real question is "by what criteria/ethical principles would you decide to pull/not pull that lever?". But without more situational information, during a real or supposed event, how could you possibly chose? Isn't it a bit invidious to require or demand a specific answer to such a nebulous hypothetical question?
  9. TheAuger
    Why should the "solution" to this fake scenario be even be taken seriously, much less answered? Set-pieces like this only occur in things like David S. Goyer screenplays... Maybe the more pertinent question, "thread-originator", would be, "why the trepidation over Stef's 'non-answer' to the 'trolley-question"? Would NAP be any more/less-valid with a positive answer by Stef one way or another?
  10. TheAuger
    It seems to me that you're construing fraud as merely bad taste (its "unsavory") in your first post. Please correct me if Im wrong. But Im not clear about if you're of an opposing position or not. So...**dsayers, is fraud a violation of property/contract rights as a philosophical principle?**I maintain that fraud is such a violation. Either you maintain and extend property/contract rights as a philosophical principle, or you do not. There really isn't any logic needed, just a clear definition of and adherence to property/contract rights. Are you wanting a logical proof of property/contract rights?
  11. TheAuger
    How is asking this professor to clarify her definitions/ideas/positions/arguments necessarily a confrontation? Aren't you just trying to understand the validity/truth value of her claims?
  12. TheAuger
    Yes, that's immoral, as I understand your premises.
  13. TheAuger
    Its basically a riff on the Cartesian universal deceiver/cogito ergo sum argument. Higher, organizing principles = "God Almighty" to theists (Lewis had been a former atheist). The argument is completely circular wish fulfillment (and superfluous). Why can they just be universal, organizing principles? To me, universal principles have a beauty and majesty all on their own, in and of themselves. To add a deity on top of it is like a third nipple. The fact is that material brains do produce consciousness/thought; spilt milk doesn't produce maps of London.
  14. TheAuger
    Mason, welcome! Im sorry to read about your plight (DON'T DO IT!!!). If you're seriously considering suicide, then this board won't and can't help you! Please consider seeing a professional therapist immediately! http://m.therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.php Its not that there aren't helpful/insightful/constructive people here, but the format is just too impersonal for the kind of connection/help that you're seeking.
  15. TheAuger
    Theories can only be proven false based on other empirical, verifiable observations of reality, not other theories. Theories cant be proven to be "true", only "true enough" (based on certain data). Certainly theories/philosophy could give a shit about our preferences for jet engines or internal combustion engines, which is a matter of aesthetics/taste.
  16. TheAuger
    Fraud is a violation of NAP because it violates property/contract rights (and therefore immoral/unethical). It's certainly NOT cooperative - one side has chosen to violate the preexisting terms of contract with the intent of stealing from the other side of the contract without their cooperation.
  17. TheAuger
    John CEFD, thanks for the post about Dugin's "Fourth Political Theory" -- I wasn't previously familiar with him or his ideas (manifesto: http://www.4pt.su/en/sections/programs). From just a cursory reading, the "Fourth Theory" is purely/merely neo-fascism (fascism), and I can see why this ideology is popular currently amongst Russia's ruling political elite (KGB and GRU oligarchs who mostly have supplanted the old oligarchic structure).
  18. TheAuger
    Sam Seder debating: "ummm - eh - errr - ahhhh - emmm - heheh..." God he's awful to try to listen to.
  19. TheAuger
    So we are entirely justified in shooting someone dead for slapping us, no matter the circumstances (age, sex, mental ability), because they are violating NAP?
  20. TheAuger
    Thanks for reposting, ericshaw.linux! Self defense should be commensurate with aggression being experienced. Lethal aggression, lethal defense.
  21. TheAuger
    I don't think its logical to call each principle "the ultimate respect for humanity"...pretty nit-picky, I know...but yeah, this works overall...!
  22. TheAuger
    But, but...now wait...don't...AG needs those carbon tax dollars to pay for his Malibu mansion, his private jets, and masseuses to chase around lustily...MaaaaaaanBearPig, mmmmkaay!
  23. TheAuger
    Yes, and meanwhile he has a team of armed body guards protecting his fat ass at public events...hypocrite much, scum?
  24. TheAuger
    David Icke broke the truth about SaVILE about a decade ago. Savile was a close associate of many of the royals, had access to many of their houses and estates, and "procured things for them"...You can say what you want about Icke, but thats some balls to go head up against Savile and the royals.
  25. TheAuger
    Fine, good - put us all on a list, scum! Eventually all the "good guys" will be on the "bad list" and the "bad guys" will be on the "good list" -- thanks for making a list, trash!
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