Contrarianism, Revisionism And Iconoclasm: On The Path To Truth Or Trailing The Truth? (September 19, 2016)
. . .
X “The orthodoxy often if not usually serves the interests of those with money and power. The orthodoxy often if not usually needs to be confronted and challenged. Simply asserting a contrary argument is often a step somewhat toward the right direction somewhat on the right path yet is often incomplete and inadequate.”
Y “Contrarianism, revisionism, iconoclasm, you name it, are part of the counter narrative, yet they may be counterproductive if they lead one to conclude that there are only two opposite and opposed arguments. Truth may be found somewhere along the continuum.”
X “An argument that inserts ‘not’ in one sentence and deletes the ‘not’ from another sentence is not complete and adequate.”
Y “Unless it is? Yet when you need to generate a Ph.D. thesis, you may be able to get away by inserting ‘not’ in one sentence and deleting the ‘not’ from another sentence.”
. . .
X “Take an extreme position and then get cited and booked by those ostensibly providing a balanced presentation.”
Y “Take an extreme position in a negotiation and possibly move the final outcome closer to your position.”
. . .
X “Some synthesis replete with nuance, condition and reservation is necessary to stray near the resolution.”
Y “Sounds . . . so nuanced, conditional and reserved. And yet unnatural for humans.”
. . .
X “You need to inject the word ‘Manichean’ into the mix to sound like you know what you are saying.”
Y “Or ‘paradigm’ to sound sufficiently pedantic.”
. . .
Y “But what if the truth is not found along the conventional continuum.”
. . .
X “A little balance of light and dark as we approach the Equinox is appropriate.”
. . .
[See the e-commentary “On Standards & Quality (July 20, 2015).”]
Bumper sticker of the week:
The Middle Way may not have as much traffic at this hour
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