Not much time for now, but I'll point out that I was deliberately ambiguous about who 'the other side' is. To give both sides, what seem to me to be equally unflattering labels, we could call one side "complicators" and the other side "simplisticators".
I think more Christians tend to take a simplisticator side on more issues, where I take a complicator side. However, it is far from black and white. There are times when you and Harvey, for example, are on my side against simplisticators. Other times when it may seem to me that you guys are taking a simplisticator side. As far as I know, I sometimes take a simplisticator side as well
So, at the last, 'Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.' You can't get simpler than that. — mcdoodle
As an engineer I'm a complicator. I have to consider a multitude of details, about the ways physical things interact, in order to do my job well. — wonderer1
Funny... As an engineer I saw my primary job as taking the multiplicity of the universe and simplifying it so it could be used to make decisions. I might have hundreds of data points related to the presence, depth, and concentration of chemical contaminants in soil. I had to turn that data into a line on the drawings that showed where we had to excavate soil to remediate the site. — T Clark
Missing the forest for the trees is a real thing, but a forest without trees is a castle in the air, if you don't mind mixed metaphors. — Srap Tasmaner
"Simplisticator" and "complicator" are two words I coined — wonderer1
And your local philosopher will complain if you mention that not every tree in a pine forest is a pine — Srap Tasmaner
That's funny though, because you could align the theoretical and the practical the other way around, and it would make just as much sense. (Science looking for the universal of trees, practical concerns addressing this tree in all its particularity.) — Srap Tasmaner
universal of trees — Vera Mont
It was picturesque. I only mean that science seeks generality, else it's stamp collecting. Do trees have a common structure? How do they differ from other plants? — Srap Tasmaner
Coulda sworn the taxonomy of trees had already been established. — Vera Mont
I lean towards leaving things there kind of open ended, but to help spark discussion I'll end with the question, "Are you a simplisticator or a complicator?"* — wonderer1
Only this:I don't understand this exchange. Is there something we disagree about? Could you tell me what it is? — Srap Tasmaner
Interesting. I have no technical expertise in any area, nor do I have much interest in math or science. Does this 'force' me into the simplisticator corner? — Tom Storm
Is there a third option? — Tom Storm
Interesting. I have no technical expertise in any area, nor do I have much interest in math or science. Does this 'force' me into the simplisticator corner? How much of this is almost a necessary function of one's education, employment or even neurodiversity?
Is there a third option? — Tom Storm
On complex matters, I often prefer a suspension of judgement. I'm pretty keen on the answer, 'I don't know' and would prefer it if more people pursued this and just got on with their lives. — Tom Storm
On matters like QM speculation, the nature of consciousness, etc, the notion of uncertainty is more significant to me (as a skeptic) than trying to force answers. Many of us hold highly complex explanations about matters we are not really qualified to understand. Perhaps this view is just a passive form of simplistication? — Tom Storm
I haven't read through the Tractacus, but what you said reminded me of the Zen saying, "Before one studies Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; After one gains insight through the teachings of a master, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; After enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters are waters." — wonderer1
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