lungfish
07-28-2004, 12:38 AM
I like this forum, I really do. It's calm and intellegent and members stick to the point.
They also know that a little fun can be had along the way. Let's face it, being tied to a computer for so many hours a day, humour and friendship can help immensely to pass the time and lighten the mood.
Now, I am seldom serious. Being serious has it's place and its uses. I am serious when it comes to business and I was serious when it came to teaching a class of teenagers.
But my seriousness is tempered by a thing called 'reason'.
And 'reason', class, is the subject of today.
Now I know that the majority of you will pass this lesson with flying colours. But I have noticed that a little extra study of this is required in some cases.
Reason, you see, is what keeps us from de-evolving into a society that has neither ethics or self-control. Without reason, basically, we are lost.
So how do we achieve this qualification called 'reason'?
Our first step is a subject known as 'thought'. We must utilise this before we jump into, or start, a situation from which we are unable to jump back.
If we can learn this first lesson of 'thought', we are then able to progress onto lesson two.....'debate'.
Debate is a corner-stone of civilised society. It is much needed but seldom used. Some people wrongly use the word 'debate' when they mean the word 'argue'.
Argument is not debate, argument is verbal warfare.
During the subject of 'debate' we have to learn four other vital lessons....'listening', 'patience', 'understanding' and 'objectivity'. Practice them well and use them often.
Then, when all of these lessons are learned, you will have qualified.
Reason is yours.....keep it always.
They also know that a little fun can be had along the way. Let's face it, being tied to a computer for so many hours a day, humour and friendship can help immensely to pass the time and lighten the mood.
Now, I am seldom serious. Being serious has it's place and its uses. I am serious when it comes to business and I was serious when it came to teaching a class of teenagers.
But my seriousness is tempered by a thing called 'reason'.
And 'reason', class, is the subject of today.
Now I know that the majority of you will pass this lesson with flying colours. But I have noticed that a little extra study of this is required in some cases.
Reason, you see, is what keeps us from de-evolving into a society that has neither ethics or self-control. Without reason, basically, we are lost.
So how do we achieve this qualification called 'reason'?
Our first step is a subject known as 'thought'. We must utilise this before we jump into, or start, a situation from which we are unable to jump back.
If we can learn this first lesson of 'thought', we are then able to progress onto lesson two.....'debate'.
Debate is a corner-stone of civilised society. It is much needed but seldom used. Some people wrongly use the word 'debate' when they mean the word 'argue'.
Argument is not debate, argument is verbal warfare.
During the subject of 'debate' we have to learn four other vital lessons....'listening', 'patience', 'understanding' and 'objectivity'. Practice them well and use them often.
Then, when all of these lessons are learned, you will have qualified.
Reason is yours.....keep it always.