[MD] Some Abominable Beliefs-Part 2

[Platt Holden]

Case:

> [Platt]
> > Perhaps esthetic "values" are also quantifiable. To find common cause
> > between science and religion the terms have to change from both
> > perspectives.
> 
> >From your excellent post to DMB this especially caught my eye. Any 
> ideas on how esthetic values might be "quantifiable?" Or how the terms
> can change to accommodate both art and science?
> 
> [Case]
> The examples I am most familiar with would be Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down
> movie reviews. On my NetFlix account I have rated nearly 2000 movies on
> a scale of one to five. Similar rating scales are common in the
> hospitality industry. Cities are listed in rank order along many
> dimensions from per capita income to number of Buick owners. You
> probably down need my help looking for more... but: Consumer Reports,
> Neilson, Arbitron, Zagat, Gallup...

You surprised me. I thought you were going to cite money as a 
quantifiable measure of value. I'm glad you reminded me of the various 
rating scales and services which also qualify. In fact, a recent book 
by Charles Murray entitled "Human Accomplishment" uses the expert 
rating technique to identify the significant individuals  in the fields 
of science, mathematics, medicine, technology, philosophy, music, 
painting and literature based on original discoveries, inventions, or  
unique creations of lasting value.   

> [Platt]
> Also I too would like to know the difference between the mystic 
> experience of  Tibetan monk, a holy roller, a whirling dervish, a 
> dopehead and a born-again Christian. Perhaps DMB will enlighten us. :-)
> 
> [Case]
> Wilber claims that spiritual experiences replicated among individuals
> have enough in common that intersubjective agreement about these
> experiences can be achieved. So that when a scientist says, "Here are my
> results. They are valid because you can test them and see for your
> self," the mystic can say, "Yeah, we can do that with our stuff too."
> 
> I have problems with Wilber here. The chief being that, right wing
> theists have as much claim to this position as the Dali Lama.

Agree. Let's see what others say may be the difference.

Platt