Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 5082413" data-attributes="member: 4937">Well, for example, 'right wing religious nuts' like myself.&nbsp; Unlike some people who like to comment on the sterotype, I think I have enough first hand experience to say that you do occasionally run up on someone who believes that they are in possession of The Truth and The Whole Truth, and that they are a reliable authority because of their complete understanding.&nbsp; They do not believe that there are mysteries, nor do they in the slightest doubt there ability to understand things that smart people have debated for centuries.&nbsp; It's not a reliable representation of the entire group, but if it wasn't there then there probably wouldn't be a sterotype.Of course, I bring up 'right wing religious nuts' primarily because - being one - I can speak about them without being insulting or being condesending.&nbsp; I'm on their side, and so not trying to tear down anyone. I don't bring them up because this is a problem exclusive to the subculture, but, since this is the sterotype, I feel certain that it will be easier to convince the reader of its existance.&nbsp; As I've said elsewhere, no one has a monopoly on failing to be self-critical.&nbsp; It is a human, rather than cultural failing.&nbsp;&nbsp; Absolute self-assurance of their own superior understanding is found even among people who claim to not believe that there is objective truth out there to be found.&nbsp; Dogmatic evangelists are not confined to people self-aware of their religious convictions.&nbsp; Angry moralists are not confined to traditionalist cultures.&nbsp; You find plenty of angry moralists absolutely certain that they have discovered some absolute truth that has evaded detection across the centuries.&nbsp; Ultimately, at one time or the other about one subject or the other, I think just about everyone finds themselves on the side of close minded dogmatic absolutist.You even find them playing RPGs or hanging out on EnWorld, preaching the 'one true way' or system or what have you.&nbsp;&nbsp; Speaking for myself, it's a continual fight to force myself to examine and distinguish between what I actually know, what I think I know, and what is just my personal preference.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Celebrim, post: 5082413, member: 4937"] Well, for example, 'right wing religious nuts' like myself. Unlike some people who like to comment on the sterotype, I think I have enough first hand experience to say that you do occasionally run up on someone who believes that they are in possession of The Truth and The Whole Truth, and that they are a reliable authority because of their complete understanding. They do not believe that there are mysteries, nor do they in the slightest doubt there ability to understand things that smart people have debated for centuries. It's not a reliable representation of the entire group, but if it wasn't there then there probably wouldn't be a sterotype. Of course, I bring up 'right wing religious nuts' primarily because - being one - I can speak about them without being insulting or being condesending. I'm on their side, and so not trying to tear down anyone. I don't bring them up because this is a problem exclusive to the subculture, but, since this is the sterotype, I feel certain that it will be easier to convince the reader of its existance. As I've said elsewhere, no one has a monopoly on failing to be self-critical. It is a human, rather than cultural failing. Absolute self-assurance of their own superior understanding is found even among people who claim to not believe that there is objective truth out there to be found. Dogmatic evangelists are not confined to people self-aware of their religious convictions. Angry moralists are not confined to traditionalist cultures. You find plenty of angry moralists absolutely certain that they have discovered some absolute truth that has evaded detection across the centuries. Ultimately, at one time or the other about one subject or the other, I think just about everyone finds themselves on the side of close minded dogmatic absolutist. You even find them playing RPGs or hanging out on EnWorld, preaching the 'one true way' or system or what have you. Speaking for myself, it's a continual fight to force myself to examine and distinguish between what I actually know, what I think I know, and what is just my personal preference. [/QUOTE]

Verification