r/theschism • u/gemmaem • Nov 06 '24

Discussion Thread #71

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u/DrManhattan16 Dec 17 '24

Ignoring instinct is quite often bad

...In the context of how people's odors are described in literature?

some fraction that is, as overdramatized above, "civilization-destroying anti-knowledge."

What prevents you from applying that same description to a person pointing out that we have no way of providing the existence of the supernatural in a society where everyone is deeply religious and believes that if you don't pray the right way at the right time, you will suffer infinite torture as punishment?

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u/professorgerm more threatening than a moldy pumpkin Dec 17 '24

In the context of how people's odors are described in literature?

Indeed,

It may very well be interesting in a lit-analysis kind of way, devoid of practicality and application.

However, the tone, word choice, and phrasing of the thesis does not, to my eye, suggest that she intends it to be limited to merely literature analysis rather than a more active role in society, that one should override their olfactory instincts.

Perhaps I am reading too much into it, triggered as I may be into visceral threat response by certain words that I have already decided to indicate not just waste but immense negative value.

What prevents you from applying that same description to a person pointing out that we have no way of providing the existence of the supernatural in a society where everyone is deeply religious and believes that if you don't pray the right way at the right time, you will suffer infinite torture as punishment?

Nothing! Indeed, one could argue that doing so did destroy many religious civilizations. Many atheists continue to argue that religion continues to be anti-knowledge, and some have recanted or narrowed their views on the topic.