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Old 02-10-2009, 02:08 PM   #246
photon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jammies View Post
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you were a dualist - I was merely trying to get at why I don't mind the word because it clearly illuminates the assumptions of thought embedded in the language.

That is a good point, and to reiterate - the words we have for such emotions and thoughts came forth from the deep waters of religion, so it is hard to avoid sounding religious when speaking of such things regardless of intent.
No worries, I should have read it as not directed at me, my bad.

Yup I agree, and I think it causes problems for scientists too because they use words sometimes that are heavy with religious connotations, and then what they say gets co-opted by creationists or other quote miners with an agenda for their own means.

Physicists and cosmologists love those words.

I don't know how many times I've had quotes thrown in my face trying to say Einstein was a Christian based on a few quotes. First, Einstein was not a Christian, and second, what he things about the issue isn't authoritative.

The same quote miner can use Einstein quotes to support their position, but when shown that they were wrong about him, do they reevaluate their position? Of course not.

/rant
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