Comments on: 05-09-28

By: Wildspell

Wildspell — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 02:51:41 +0000

I thought that Chopra’s ad hominem statements were meant as comedy. This led me to read the rest of Chopra’s entry in an entirely different light than I now suppose it was intended. Now I see that it wasn’t just silly; it was foolishness.

By: Angel Rodha

Angel Rodha — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:56:28 +0000

At least, from such a debate, great ideas from both sides emerged. For me, both have good points and nurtured my enlightenment and journey to my better understanding of reality. I liked many phrases and concepts coming from Deepak Chopra’s books I reed and also appreciate the articles of MS in SA. Now, let me continue honoring my own conclusions about what is reality and choosing what is convenient for myself. Thanks for your cooperation.

By: Janice

Janice — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:37:15 +0000

Michael, did you not notice that Deepak lists his number one objection to skeptics as

“1.I have rarely met a skeptic who didn’t use ad hominem attacks.”

and yet his entire list is generalized ad hominem attacks on ‘the skeptic’ as a flawed personality?

You know, Michael, I’d like to admire your work, because I object to new age fraud and money-making off vulnerable people, but honestly, it seems you almost are ‘in bed’ with your opponents–giving them space here and on stages and in videos, dignifying their babbling as if it met any serious standard of logic or fact.

Perhaps you also like having an easy ‘gig’ and you need these guys to keep it going. I hope that is not the case.
Why even debate Deepak when it is obvious that he has no basis for his ‘work’ and is just ripping people off like L.Ron Hubbard or any other quack?

By: mik

mik — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:30:39 +0000

In Matthew 7, versus 1–2,… i think mr. shermer means verses.

By: ronald atkinson

ronald atkinson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:57:42 +0000

Skepticism itself is neither inherently good or bad. Both will result from skepticism. Human ego is the first “force” driving skepticism. If I do not agree with the conclusion someone else has arrived at, I have the right to believe, test and express my concerns. Every listener has the right to draw their own conclusions.
As individuals we are responsible for the effects of our communication. When we recognize a fallacy in our own conclusions, we should be quick to correct it. Every false ideal has the propensity to become a religion.

By: jono schultz

jono schultz — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:44:34 +0000

It was with great anticipation that I started reading this debate. It is my sorrow that the debate did not occur.

All aspiration and creation of ideas start with an open mind. The idea is then tested and used in reality to see if it has life out side of one persons thought.
Many people liking or disliking and idea does not make it true or false. Application and use of an idea in the World reveals if it has real application to human life or not.

By all means propose new concepts and ideas. Then think about how to test them, use them, communicate them.
There are many things we do not fully understand. Exploring and questioning are the only ways to build our understanding.

So, to Mr Shermer, I say, we cannot use Newton to prove Einstein (directly), as we will not be able to use current ideas to explain the next step in our understanding. It may be that small, statistically insignificant variations are key to revealing deeper knowledge.

To Mr Chopra, Great new proposals require small controlled tests, or very detailed analysis to identify where and how our current understanding is flawed and new understanding is needed. Thought is yet to be defined or understood, this may mean that there is a universal life of some sort or it may be there is a trivial explanation. The issue is that both are still options. I welcome your idea, but please allow the possibility it could be flawed. Please try and think of a way of proving it so it can be used and all of us benefit.

Making statements that neither of you understand the other requires that I ask – are you really trying?

I am.

And thank you for at least doing this.