Joe-joe2 May 2004

I raised the issue of pleasure in connection with your assertion that I hold the beliefs I hold becuase of the "challenge" it presents. No, if I believed in nothing, if I did not have a soul that truely spoke to me, but consciously felt the need to attach myself to "something", that something would be an affirmation not a denial of my flesh and blood desires. It would be 100% pleasure based. However, I do have a soul and it does speak to me. It distingusies between good and evil and it is often at odds with my conscious desires. It's a tough way to live..lots of guilt and anguish..but it is how I do see the world.

"I don't think it's artificial because it can't be "captured in a test tube". I think it's artificial because there are no verification or falsification conditions for it." Your distinction escapes me.