I get what Mill was saying, and we see it every day;but perhaps the concept of "feelings" beg a closer look. It occurred to me long ago, assigned Descartes' "Discourse on Method" in college, that "I feel, therefore I am", might go deeper than "I think therefore I am". In retrospect, I can't separate them. The precise parameters of my own…
I get what Mill was saying, and we see it every day;but perhaps the concept of "feelings" beg a closer look. It occurred to me long ago, assigned Descartes' "Discourse on Method" in college, that "I feel, therefore I am", might go deeper than "I think therefore I am". In retrospect, I can't separate them. The precise parameters of my own experiential sense that "I am" seems a bit mysterious and elusive. My consciousness seems to involve a constant flow of micro-decisions about what is true AND what "matters". I have some grasp of the physics and physiology of sunshine on my shoulder, but less of the experiential sentience, for which I can compare notes with other humans, but not adequately describe. I can appreciate the chemistry and neurology of tasting a fresh strawberry (which my wife is currently gathering) but that animal experience is both "tangible" and hard to pin down. In any case I believe that "feelings" are core to who and what we are, and serve us best when reconciled the revelations of our own intelligence.
"Dispassionate inquiry" is misrepresented by Star Treks "Mr. Spock", as many scientists, including Einstein, have been quite passionate, but also mentally disciplined with respect to logic and evidence. The urge to discover and the recognition of a promising thread implies decisions of value.
Demagogues have subjugated humanity from time immemorial, by appealing to attractive lies and prejudices. Lies sabotage our liberty, justice, and socially healthy outcomes, and must be confronted with the most accurate observations and conclusions we can muster, but also with appeals to our values. The above collection of excerpts from Biden's speech is packed with them. Current Republicans ironically seem to offer only the "blue pill" and Democrats the "red", but Republicans arrogantly and disingenuously make such a show of defending "Values"; neglecting to mention that everyone has them. It is refreshing and essential that our responsible leaders make more of a "thing" of just and liberating, forward-thinking values and help us focus on our own.
What, in the end, matters most? And who gets "a voice" in that regard in a democratic republic?
I get what Mill was saying, and we see it every day;but perhaps the concept of "feelings" beg a closer look. It occurred to me long ago, assigned Descartes' "Discourse on Method" in college, that "I feel, therefore I am", might go deeper than "I think therefore I am". In retrospect, I can't separate them. The precise parameters of my own experiential sense that "I am" seems a bit mysterious and elusive. My consciousness seems to involve a constant flow of micro-decisions about what is true AND what "matters". I have some grasp of the physics and physiology of sunshine on my shoulder, but less of the experiential sentience, for which I can compare notes with other humans, but not adequately describe. I can appreciate the chemistry and neurology of tasting a fresh strawberry (which my wife is currently gathering) but that animal experience is both "tangible" and hard to pin down. In any case I believe that "feelings" are core to who and what we are, and serve us best when reconciled the revelations of our own intelligence.
"Dispassionate inquiry" is misrepresented by Star Treks "Mr. Spock", as many scientists, including Einstein, have been quite passionate, but also mentally disciplined with respect to logic and evidence. The urge to discover and the recognition of a promising thread implies decisions of value.
Demagogues have subjugated humanity from time immemorial, by appealing to attractive lies and prejudices. Lies sabotage our liberty, justice, and socially healthy outcomes, and must be confronted with the most accurate observations and conclusions we can muster, but also with appeals to our values. The above collection of excerpts from Biden's speech is packed with them. Current Republicans ironically seem to offer only the "blue pill" and Democrats the "red", but Republicans arrogantly and disingenuously make such a show of defending "Values"; neglecting to mention that everyone has them. It is refreshing and essential that our responsible leaders make more of a "thing" of just and liberating, forward-thinking values and help us focus on our own.
What, in the end, matters most? And who gets "a voice" in that regard in a democratic republic?