Lies, Damn Lies

A mini-rant

I haven't blogged in a long while, thanks to holidays, conferences and workloads. The latter hasn't changed, but I don't like not blogging. So, a small comment on the lack of rationality some people demonstrate. In this comment thread, after a typically tiresome article by Andrew Brown which I shan't get into now, someone says this

""If people consider all the options, they will arrive at the same conclusion as me". Dawkins is ridiculous!"

Given the same information and perfect rationality, on a matter of fact two individuals should come to the same conclusion. If we accept there is one truth on the matter of the existence of a deity then if everyone had the same information and thought rationally, they would come to the same conclusion.

Now obviously this isn't actually going to happen in real life- people are often not rational, and individuals are not presented with the same information. However, if you believe yourself to be rational then you must suppose that the factual position you hold is one others would come to given the same information and rationality. If you don't, then why are you holding that position? If you are uncertain, then you should step back and become agnostic, for example.

Labels: politics, rant

posted by Mr K @ 12:38 pm