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Philosophy 101
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According to whom?
| Philosophy 101 |
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According to whom? |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
Many posters in this and other discussion threads will cite sources and offer quotes to bolster or refute a given position. Good idea. Asking, then: What constitutes an "authority?" Is it more than someone with a well considered opinion? Does "authority" require consensus? Is an "authority" different from a "source?" If someone doesn't understand a given premise to begin with, does citing an "authority" help? Stuff like that. Jimbeaux  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Somewhere in this forum, I once responded to a question and cited the "source"--from a book as yet to be written--by ME!  If anybody noticed, they didn't acknowledge it. But I do keep Karen amused... |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
I find Karen to be an "authority" about a lot of things!  As for me I typically consider the source which means just because it's quoted doesn mean I buy it. After all, as I say in my critique note, "I don't believe everything I read". If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Apparently I keep Larry amused too.  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Hmm...Have a hug, Lar! It's all good. I do seem to have a lot to say. Even about laughter--to my way of thinking, laughter is kinda like a smile having an orgasm. (I am still pro-orgasm, too.) So laugh at me, laugh with me--as long as you're laughing. Now. Y'want me to put the Big Girl Panties on...or would you prefer them off? Either way I look pretty funny--and either way? It's all...gravy. *wince*  (Karen exits, having exceeded the boundaries of good taste yet again...)  ? |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
Karen: I've noticed that no "authorities" ever bother to cite me, so I generally return the favor.  I've been thinking about this in part because I have made yet another attempt to read Steven Hawkings "A Brief History of Time." Nothing in my background enables me to follow the math. So, if I were to quote him as an "authority," would the reference have any validity, since I can't follow what he is talking about in the first place? That is, must one be "close to" an "authority" one's self to begin with before quoting an "authority?" Best, Jimbeaux |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
Larry C: A perfectly reasonable position, I think. Is there a difference, in your thinking, between a "source" and an "authority?" I don't believe everything I read either. How do we in general make a determination between what to believe and what not to believe? For the most part, I am positing, people use their "crap detectors." But "crap detectors" vary from person to person. Is there any set of overall standards? Best, Jimbeaux  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
"I don't know," typed Karen with authority. *ahem* Seriously though--sometimes we don't understand what we think we understand? A great question for the internet debates, though. After finally figuring out that the internet was much more vast than that which I'd previously explored via google, I also figured out that there is a source to back up just about anyone's perspective. Until then, I thought everybody was a genius. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I've been trying to read "A Brief History of Time for years too.  OH. (Now that "groaner" just slipped!) |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
I think that "authority" is basic to life's experience, as well as the recognition of it. Unfortunately we've been through so many bad examples of it, and usurped claims of it, that it gets very hard to even recognize even when it may be valid. One of the chief characteristics of postmodernity, is the distrust of authority and a far retreat into individualism. Yes, I know I didn't actually answer your questions. I'm still thinking about my answer, and thought I'd post an observation in the mean time. Stephen |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I think Bede was the first very formally to use "authorities" to back up his Ecclesiatical History of the English People (as well as to date historical events based on Christ's birth). The reason he expresses in his preface to King Ceolwulf seems generally why we continue the tradition of "authorities" as well: "But to the end that I may remove all occasion of doubting what I have written, both from yourself and other readers or hearers of this history, I will take care briefly to intimate from what authors I chiefly learned the same." (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book1.html) |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Me and *cough* someone I used to "room" with had a similar discussion a few weeks ago. My position was that he didn't know for sure if anything was fact, i.e. I was questioning his sources... He didn't understand completely what I tried to explain about how something could be considered "fact" right now, hence having a source of authority, and later be found to be untrue. Case in point: once it was a "fact" the earth was flat. Therefore, I concluded to him, you can't be sure that anything is fact (*eg*)...he was very frustrated with me. *shrug* I am use to it. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I am sure, in fact, that should be "I" not "Me". |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
you wish it were you.... well, not so much now, but then. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
quote: hmmm.. is that a fact? |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Watt? |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
exactly. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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