KARL JASPERS FORUM

SHORT NOTE 56

AN EDITORIAL QUESTION
by Herbert FJ Müller
10 September 2005, posted 17 September 2005

Glenn C Wood writes (C47<1> to TA78) that he is offended by comparison of his ideas with those of the Flat Earth Society, but he uses some of the same rhetoric as they do. For instance, Wood declares opinions other than his own to be due to mass hypnosis (C45<2>, TA78); the FES advertises that they are "deprogramming the masses since 1547". In their efforts to discredit opinions which differ from their own, both replace discussion by insults.

(The Flat Earth Society Web Site :) http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/Flatearthsociety.htm

More recently (C50<3> to TA78) Wood berates people who disagree with him as being mentally sick, which not only fits into the same FES pattern, but is also an abuse of medical terminology.

These are deliberate infringements on the KJF principle of open-minded discussion. They express intolerance of the opinions of others, and threaten to transform this Forum into his personal podium for anti-evolution propaganda, interfering with its purpose of free exchange of opinions.

Various philosophical and religious orientations, including pro- and anti-evolution views, can certainly be discussed here, with reasons for and against each opinion, but intolerance of differing opinions is not acceptable. Intolerance is far from the open-mindedness of Karl Jaspers, whom Wood quotes continuously, to make it appear as though KJ had somehow supported an anti-evolution stand, contradicting what Jaspers himself wrote.

On the other hand I appreciate Glenn C Wood's considerable efforts, and his enthusiasm for Karl Jaspers' work; also his writings have now become more to the point. He has written that he wants to learn; in principle, the prerequisites for discussion are available. [Recently he wrote (C14 <2> to TA81-82) that "human consciousness is unique", which coincides with the start-point of both phenomenology and constructivism.]

This situation puts me in a difficult position as editor. The KJF has no censorship mechanism, and relies on the judgement of its contributors. Intolerance is a distortion of KJ's spirit, and interferes with the aims of this Forum. The question for me is whether GC Wood is willing to change his style of writing from preaching to discussion (proposals, arguments for their support, and refutations). I hope for a positive answer; otherwise, I may regretfully have to use censure for the first time, and refuse further contributions by him. I would also appreciate knowing the opinions of other list members, concerning this question.

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Herbert FJ Müller, Editor, Karl Jaspers Forum