To me, 'all men are fools' is the bigger insult, because it says that, being a man, I am definitely a fool. 'All fools are men' is fine, because I'm not one of them — CasKev
Well, I don't know where philosophy comes in. Perhaps its more about psychology, decision theory, morality. — TheMadFool
Morally speaking, which point of view is better? Is it better to be relieved that others are in the same bad situation as you are (inclusive above) or is it better to be comforted by the thought that others are not in the same situation as you're in (exclusive above)? — TheMadFool
Now, this goes back to my critique. Why does this matter? I don't see how any of this matters in the real world. Why does this question matter to you — Noble Dust
Morally speaking, which point of view is better? Is it better to be relieved that others are in the same bad situation as you are (inclusive above) or is it better to be comforted by the thought that others are not in the same situation as you're in (exclusive above)? — TheMadFool
slightly tipsy — Noble Dust
Again, I think it's a false binary concept that doesn't apply to the real world. — Noble Dust
(Y) Drink but don't Drive. — TheMadFool
Your analysis is too, let's say, poetic. It's good - makes sense but it's romantic - impractical. — TheMadFool
Which is a bigger insult, 1 or 2? On what other factors does the decision hinge on? — TheMadFool
Moslems are faced with the accusation ''All terrorists are Moslems'' and women too face such accusations e.g. ''all women are whores''. — TheMadFool
How so? — Noble Dust
Why is the decision of which is a bigger insult something that anything should hinge on? What exactly is the hinge here — Noble Dust
Are they/do they? — Noble Dust
But ''all fools are men'' say that the entire class of fools is included in the class of men. I don't know how to word this but what if I were to say ''all evil people are Americans''. This is not true but just assume for the sake of argument. Isn't ''all fools are men'' equally, if not more, insulting? — TheMadFool
If everything can be read both ways, there's nothing to pin decision on. — TheMadFool
In a way, my OP is similar. We can't decide. Paralysis ensues and no thought/action is possible. — TheMadFool
Why are moderate Moslems engaging in PR battle to restore the reputation of Islam and Moslems? — TheMadFool
You think moral analysis doesn't help. — TheMadFool
Your argument focuses on outliers and unique cases e.g. masochism and sadism. — TheMadFool
We can't decide, on these statements alone, which is a bigger insult.
— TheMadFool
If everything can be read both ways, there's nothing to pin decision on. In a way, my OP is similar. We can't decide. Paralysis ensues and no thought/action is possible. — TheMadFool
Well, people seem to instinctively choose statement 1 as the bigger insult. This I've shown is a misconception. — TheMadFool
But you haven't. — Sapientia
Which is a bigger insult to men, statement 1 or statement 2? — TheMadFool
I guess paralysis is ensuing... — Noble Dust
So that, I could interpret the first as saying that one is not a man until one becomes a fool. — Wosret
One could, of course, say that it's unfair to fools to call them all men. — StreetlightX
1)Do you feel insulted if I call you a fool?
Yes.
2)Do you feel insulted if I call your mother a fool?
Yes.
Which is a bigger insult? — TheMadFool
''All men are fools'' insults ALL men directly. It's like calling your entire family foolish.
''All fools are men'' insults ALL men indirectly. It's like calling your mother a fool. It's an insult to the family.
Which is worse?
We can't decide because both statements insult ALL men - one directly and the other indirectly. — TheMadFool
A)All men are fools
This insults a man because he's a man and the statement asserts him to be a fool
B)All fools are men
This insults a man because the statement insults a fellow comrade, so to speak. Like insulting your family (see 2 above).
Can you tell me which is a bigger insult now? — TheMadFool
To each his sufferings: all are men,
Condemned alike to groan;
The tender for another's pain,
The unfeeling for his own.
Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies.
Thought would destroy their paradise.
No more; where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise. — Thomas Gray
Now, this view is only possible if you factor in things like masochism and sadism — TheMadFool
I stand by my original answer. — Sapientia
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.