DEB
Sorry for delay–my computer wanted my attention and got it by playing dead.
The ball in this case is learning how to make good judgments.
Our schools and colleges are begining to teach students how to make good judgments. CT (Critical Thinking) is about how to think. When one learns the logic of good thinkig one is learning how to make good judgments.
The ball is studying the logic of good judgment. Since adults were not taught such things in school they must learn them on their own.
Tentative says–“There are no good judgements made in any situation in which you might die.”
I guess I am forced to say the obvious. Most people would judge that the judgment that saves your life is a good one. You might die from slipping off the roof of your house. Good judgment will often prevent that from happening.
coberst,
Warren Buffet is in. The revolution continues.
What’s your take on the instillation moral and ethical value within the context of your intellectual character and the ability to make good judgments? …just want to hear your perspective on this.
coberst says,
And if that is a split second decision and a non-combant is killed, where is judgement now?
Falling off a roof is stupid. There is the luxury of time to make a wise considered judgement as to what is safe and prudent. What is safe and prudent in the streets of Baghdad?
Hello Coberst,
Not sure if you remember what I mentioned here: [i]Don’t despair coberst, assuming you’re still reading, Oprah has something in the works along these lines. Oh, you think Bill Gates’ walking away from his companie’s responsibilities for other pursuits is just a coincidence? Well, maybe, … but Oprah can be persuasive. There is an underlying verve going on here. At its most overt, I am thinking a strong political move, and at its most covert, perhaps social/cultural reform ( hey, maybe you can send Oprah your ideas in this regard. I’m sure she has e-mail or some way you can contact her people) or political support.
There is a revolution underfoot here (regarding that whole Oprah, Gates thing, not the revolution going on here on these boards -as portrayed by the peoples front of judea in Monty Python’s ‘Life of Brian’). Just give it a few years (keep an eye on this development). Have you thought about running for politics?.. just a thought. On the other front, Angelina Jolie has wormed her way into the Oceans Eleven gang of playboys in hopes of having them help her in her humanitarian efforts (philosophy girl might have more on this). coberst, conspiracy theories and hat tricks you say? Well, again, I just ask you to keep an eye on these developments.[/i]
Here’s an update. Are you familiar with Barak Obama? Do you actually think he was going to run for 2008 with Hillary in the wing? Do you think he was persuaded by a certain someone? I think he was slated for 2012, but here we are.
Speaking of the Oceans Eleven gang; I just happened to check out the movie Oceans 13. Oprah makes an appearance. Yes, it’s only a movie, but I think there is something a bit more significant there.
The end (right before Damon gets up and does the two finger salute) is priceless when Damon, Clooney, and Pitt are sitting in the airport terminal with their sunglasses on. Okay, I just like the inside joke, here.
Has anyone here mentioned practice? Knowing the theory behind your decision making, even if it’s as simple as “if there’s a gun pointed in my direction, get out of the way and/or shoot!”, is augmented by experiencing similar situations over and over again.
A parent can (sometimes) make a sound judgement on whether they’re going to allow their kid to go somewhere in a split second by the time their kid is a teenager.
A good, experienced poker player can make instant decisions if the rest of the competition is terrible enough.
A soldier can quickly assess threat or no threat and act accordingly, and they get better over time.
So even in these situations, knowing the theory of logic and your own inadequecies/strengths can help you make better judgements.
For example, I know I have no experience shooting insurgents. If I were on the battlefield I would be primed to shoot at EVERYTHING not wearing an American flag. As my experience changes, I’m able to better discern threats.
Hey, Coberst, I hope you are well.
Yet another update.
Are you familiar with Barak Obama? Do you actually think he was going to run for 2008 with Hillary in the wing? Do you think he was persuaded by a certain someone? I think he was slated for 2012, but here we are.
The update:
Enter President Barack Obama.
Sorry, Coberst, I declared the President, President before he was actually sworn in. Let’s try again:
Enter President Obama … Officially.
Everything bad that happens to you is the result of an intellegence failure. 9/11, marine barracks in Lebonon, ect.
…or, perhaps, in what manner you choose to respond to intelligence.
Hello Coberst,
Speaking of the Oceans11, 12, 13 gang; here’s an update. I think we discussed something along this line a while back. I hope the link still works.
Hello Coberst,
Okay, now where were we? Oh, now I remember; seeing how our predictions are holding up.
Now do you remember what I said about Bill Gates and a push towards social/cultural reform? Check this out:
hulu.com/watch/66835/the-col … s-p1-so-i0
I hope these links don’t clonk out on me in the near future. Just pay attention to Stephen’s opening monologue regarding, of course, Bill Gates.
Another name just came to my attention:
Kal Penn.
Or Kalpen Modi.
Let’s keep an eye on this one, as a side hobby. If he plays his cards right…
Oh, by the way, he’s famous for ‘Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle.’
This thread is not insightful, it isn’t inspiring. Its blind.
The first way we can even TRY to make better judgements in war is to understand that war rests on human psychological mechanism and 2. These mechanisms, their overall effect INFLUENCE humans.
The proper judgement can be thrown out the window by common bloodlust which no amount of education holds back. War isn’t an abstracted problem, were any of us to feel the excitement soldiers feel (or the horror) at seeing body parts fly.
Humans are adapted to violence, the first thing to understand is that it can be intensely pleasurable, almost like sex, that can intoxify otherwise straight minded people.
Thanks Cyrene, but we covered that.
I was just challenging Corberst in his quest to enlighten the masses. A kind of put your food where your mouth is, or is that foot, I can never figure those things out. Basically my challenge to him was, if he had the proper avenues in which to propagate his message, would he? Or is it so much talk? And I presented some simple examples.
Nah! I guess you’re right, this thread is not insightful. On Coberst’s behalf, I apologize for not inspiring you. Sorry for leading you into the dark.
So, how’s life, health and all things good?
but your tennis analogy contradicts the liberal arts education impression your last sentence makes.
A good soldier must be like a good tennis player. Fast, sound reactions. This can be trained and hopefully old men who are not a threat will not be shot. Of course in a war they will on occasion be shot, even by better players. Just as the best tennis players will misjudge a serve and step left instead of right.
But very little intellectual needs to be done by a soldier on the line. As you move up in command more options for intellectual knowledge might be useful, but really you have to get pretty high up.