dialogues

[Laudate_Dominum]

I've always wanted to write philosophical essays in dialogue form and I might actually do it at long last.

This is going to sound rather absurd and probably a bit odd but I'm quite into the idea...

I was "doing something" earlier (never mind what) and whilst "doing something" I began having an imaginary dialogue regarding the proposition that "mushy mud pie is sick".

In essence I have come up with a crude dialogue between two imaginary persons arguing about whether or not mushy mud pie is sick, which I believe will quite clearly demonstrate approximately thirty or so logical fallacies. This would be a great tool for someone interested in philosophy to gain an introduction to logical argumentation.

And the subject matter is supposed to be strange and nonsensical because the essay is intended to be instructional in a kind of entertaining and eccentric way. And don't worry, it will be a short essay; compact anyway.

By reading this glorious essay one will come away with a working knowledge of such things as the genetic fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to tradition, appeal to belief, appeal to authority, red herring, begging the question, straw man, burden of proof, etc. etc. But beware, if you believe that mushy mud pie is sick (disgusting, gross, etc.) expect to have your belief shaken by this essay.

The reason I picked such a lame and nonsensical topic is because it is facinating to me how even such a banal topic can have so many interesting facets. I'd never really thought about it before, but if you were going up against someone who staunchly disputed the assertion that mushy mud pie is sick, it could actually be pretty challenging to definitively prove them wrong. Plus the dialogue that I've come up with quite elegantly demonstrates the more common fallacies (IMHO).

And it's not all tacky stupidity, the dialogue gets into deeper issues of epistemology and philosophy of the human person. Questions of evolution, the nature of the mind, emotions, perception, etc. are woven into the tapestry of what is essentially a didactic essay presenting the foundations of logic.

If it is successful this may be the first in a series of odd and tasteless dialogues.

I suppose my question then is would anyone here ever consider reading such a ridiculous essay? Do you think the subject matter is just too stupid to be considered worth writing and/or reading?

Cheers.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1008268' date='Jun 19 2006, 11:59 AM']which I believe will quite clearly demonstrate approximately thirty or so logical fallacies. [/quote]
Twenty two fallacies now that I really think about it.

[phatcatholic]

some of the greatest ideas were conceived on the toilet......

[jswranch]

[quote name='phatcatholic' post='1008291' date='Jun 19 2006, 12:38 PM']
some of the greatest ideas were conceived on the toilet......
[/quote]
As per toilet reservation.
I rediscoverd this one from Jimmy Akin. Warning:story contains a few vulgar terms I edited.




The seat of the Reformation
By Kate Connolly in Wittenburg
(Filed: 22/10/2004)



German archaeologists have discovered the lavatory on which Martin Luther wrote the 95 Theses that launched the Protestant Reformation.

Luther frequently alluded to the fact that he suffered from chronic constipation and that he spent much of his time in contemplation on the lavatory.

Experts say they have been certain for years that the 16th century religious leader wrote the groundbreaking Ninety-Five Theses while on das klo, as the Germans call it.

But they did not know where the object was until they discovered the stone construction after recently stumbling across the remains of an annex of his house in Wittenberg, south-west of Berlin, during planning to plant a garden.

"This is a great find," Stefan Rhein, the director of the Luther Memorial Foundation said, "particularly because we're talking about someone whose texts we have concentrated on for years, while little attention has been paid to anything three-dimensional and human behind them.

"This is where the birth of the Reformation took place.

"Luther said himself that he made his reformatory discovery in cloaca [Latin for "in the sewer"]. We just had no idea where this sewer was. Now it's clear what the Reformer meant."

What makes the find even more fitting is that at the time, faecal language was often used to denigrate the devil, such as "I [mushy mud pie] on the devil" or "I break wind on the devil".

Prof Rhein said: "It was not a very polite time. And in keeping with this, neither was Luther very polite."

The 450-year-old lavatory, which was very advanced for its time, is made out of stone blocks and, unusually, has a 30cm-square seat with a hole. Underneath is a cesspit attached to a primitive drain.

Other interesting parts of the house remain, including a vaulted ceiling, late Gothic sandstone door frames and what is left of a floor-heating system.

This presumably gave Luther an added source of comfort during the long hours he spent in contemplation.

Luther, who was professor of biblical theology at Wittenberg University, nailed his theses to the church door at Wittenberg, attacking the corrupt trade in indulgences.

The act led to his excommunication but he was protected by Frederick II of Saxony and was able to develop and spread his ideas, which he saw as much more than a mere revolt against ecclesiastical abuses but as a fight for the Gospel.

Prof Rhein said the foundation would prevent the 80,000 visitors who arrive in Wittenberg each year in search of the spirit of Luther, from sitting on the lavatory. "I would not sit on it. There's a point where you have to draw the line," he said.

[Guest JeffCR07]

L_D, that sounds awesome, have you written in out yet?

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='JeffCR07' post='1010445' date='Jun 22 2006, 12:39 PM']
L_D, that sounds awesome, have you written in out yet?
[/quote]
I've been too busy with my stinkin job.

So much to do so little free time. If I manage to write it in the near future maybe you could proof read it for me?? :

[Guest JeffCR07]

hahaha, I'd love to. It will give me something to do other than reading Fr. Frederick Copleston's [u]History of Philosophy[/u] :