(Bridget)No, Rand has never espoused in any form, dualism. Dualism is the belief that a human mind [or even an non-human mind] is not only seperate from Nature/Reality but that it exists in a realm apart from Nature/Reality. That is the textbook, cut and dry, definition of Dualism. Rand never espouses at such either in her fiction or non-fiction.
(Nick)The very idea of an Objective reality existing independent of consciousness is a dualism. There is realty on one side and consciousness on the other.
(Bridget)She believed, as I do, that the mind is a property of rational beings but that a rational being cannot seperate one's actions from the consequences that follow. I can choose to drop a lead weight on my foot, but I can never ever stop the consequence of it falling on my foot or the possibility of it causing damage or even pain.
(Nick)I told both you and Ed that I’m not arguing that people can escape consequences of their actions. You are creating a reality here that doesn’t objectively exist.
(Bridget)I cannot stop the fact that my mind cannot occupy all mental states at once, and that in themselves, have a form of causality that I must obey to get from one step in reasoning to the next. Essentially, Rand was a 'naturalist' in that the mind is the natural element of our existence and it is PART OF NATURE BECAUSE WE HUMANS ARE PART OF NATURE.
(Nick)No, objective reality exists independent of consciousness and is discovered by it. They are two separate entities. Ask a few other Objectivists.
(Nick)There you go again. You assume I don’t know much about Asian philosophies and martial arts, academically or personally. Have you read any autobiographical information about me, or are you just assuming? Do an internet search the name, NickOtani, and see if you can find my website.
(Bridget) I don't have to, your specific over generalizations of the asian martial arts is clear enough that it's from the academic mindset rather than from a practitioner's mindset. Also, I've know a few folks that were above third rank in their blackbelt (Most people can easily earn three black belts, it's harder to get above it since the rank testing is stretched out further apart in years.) in a given martial art. In all aspects, none of them considered the philosophy that you claim their art has to be as important as the practical application of their art. To them, my friends in martial arts, what you would call the 'philosophy' of their art(s) they would call drivel since often it is the case what you think is important to their practice doesn't even apply at all, whether it's about proper mindset in combat or outside of it, or whether it's how to live at peace with others despite knowing how to fight a 'war.' All in all, your claims don't fit the bill of someone that is practiced in these arts. And I, for one, will not let you slide on it.
So, stand and deliver your credentials please. Or go away.
(Nick)Well, I find you willfully ignorant and a little lazy. And, it’s a little rude to ask for my credentials after you already made assumptions about me. Had you searched for NickOtani and Judo, you may have found this paragraph:
I've admitted that I am not a Buddhist. I have read about Buddhism and been around Asian philosophies all of my life. My last name is Otani, a Japanese name, and I have taken Judo for more than thirty years. I think I understand some of the concepts of Buddhism, but I am an outsider. I cannot know Buddhism as a Buddhist would. Still, I think I can talk about it as well as anybody who is not a Buddhist, just as I can talk about various Christian religions from the perspective of an atheist. If this isn't good enough for you, so be it. It is not my life's goal to prove to you that I understand Buddhism.
If you had just looked for my personal information on my messageboard, you would have found the following:
First Name :: Nicholas
Last Name :: Otani
Age :: 57
Location :: Spokane, Washington
Occupation :: Student
Hobbies :: Jogging, Judo, and shooting baskets at outdoor parks and working on my tan during the summer.
Personal Bio :: I was born on January 9, 1949 to a woman of European ancestry and a man who is a second generation Japanese American, a proud member of the 442nd division during World War II. Although their families, the first generation Japanese Americans were relocated in American concentration camps on the West Coast, members of the 442nd Division lived up to their motto, "Go for broke!" I've had my own experiences as a high school drop-out, a Viet Nam veteran, a college graduate with an undergraduate degree in philosophy and an M.S. in education, twenty years as an educator in an adult education program for American military personnel stationed in Europe,
Further, Bridget, Kung Fu bagan as an exercise regimen for Buddhist monks in China. Your information about Asan artial arts and sports is incomplete and slanted.
Bis bald,
Nick
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