"If when a man writes a poem or commits a murder, the bodily movements involved in his act result solely from physical causes, it would seem absurd to put up a statue to him in the one case and to hang him in the other" -- Bertrand Russell
Originally posted by knightmeister "If when a man writes a poem or commits a murder, the bodily movements involved in his act result solely from physical causes, it would seem absurd to put up a statue to him in the one case and to hang him in the other" -- Bertrand Russell
I read the quote two ways. It could be suggesting that it's wrong to put a murderer for death in the absence of free will where all of our actions are determined by biochemical reactions to the stimuli of reality. Or it can be interpreted to suggest that a poem results from something that transcends the material reality which governs human existence.
Originally posted by Kunsoo I read the quote two ways. It could be suggesting that it's wrong to put a murderer for death in the absence of free will where all of our actions are determined by biochemical reactions to the stimuli of reality. Or it can be interpreted to suggest that a poem results from something that transcends the material reality which governs human existence.
Originally posted by knightmeister "If when a man writes a poem or commits a murder, the bodily movements involved in his act result solely from physical causes, it would seem absurd to put up a statue to him in the one case and to hang him in the other" -- Bertrand Russell
Agree?
It seems absurd, but it still might be a good idea. See bbarr's response to your thread about the intelligent computer on trial.
Originally posted by knightmeister "If when a man writes a poem or commits a murder, the bodily movements involved in his act result solely from physical causes, it would seem absurd to put up a statue to him in the one case and to hang him in the other" -- Bertrand Russell
Agree?
More murderers than statues have had poets put up them.
Dang.
More murdererers than poets have had statues put up to them.
Mr. Russell was an Egg Head.
You have to crack a lot of Heads to make an Omelette.
Originally posted by knightmeister "If when a man writes a poem or commits a murder, the bodily movements involved in his act result solely from physical causes, it would seem absurd to put up a statue to him in the one case and to hang him in the other" -- Bertrand Russell
Agree?
It may seem absurd if you don't understand why some people are hanged and why we put up statues.
I doubt that either action has anything to do with weather we think that bodily movements were programmed or not.
Keep in mind that rabid dogs get shot and pigeons can receive war medals. Although both are sentient beings, the actions in question are most definitely programmed.
Its interesting that at least 50% of the statues I have seen in my life are of people that I do not think deserved them. Remember that famous one of Saddam that made international news?
Originally posted by twhitehead It may seem absurd if you don't understand why some people are hanged and why we put up statues.
I doubt that either action has anything to do with weather we think that bodily movements were programmed or not.
Keep in mind that rabid dogs get shot and pigeons can receive war medals. Although both are sentient beings, the actions in question are most de ...[text shortened]... I do not think deserved them. Remember that famous one of Saddam that made international news?
Statues are false idols and thou shalt not worship. Also, pigeons are not sentient, they are stupid as fish.
Originally posted by knightmeister "If when a man writes a poem or commits a murder, the bodily movements involved in his act result solely from physical causes, it would seem absurd to put up a statue to him in the one case and to hang him in the other" -- Bertrand Russell
Agree?
Disagree. The physical causes of which BR spoke are the results of will. Just as the pieces of a chess game are moved according to the whims of the players, the physical realm is the board through which the game of life is displayed.
Originally posted by twhitehead It may seem absurd if you don't understand why some people are hanged and why we put up statues.
I doubt that either action has anything to do with weather we think that bodily movements were programmed or not.
Keep in mind that rabid dogs get shot and pigeons can receive war medals. Although both are sentient beings, the actions in question are most de ...[text shortened]... I do not think deserved them. Remember that famous one of Saddam that made international news?
So is that agree or disagree? I missed the bit where you answered the question.
27 May '07 19:20
bertand russell
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