False dilemma: assumes God must be the source of morality. Or that was is good must be within the sphere of what is moral (and not outside of it, as well).
Which is in part based on a confusion of morality with ethics, making the reference to Plato (Mo's reading matter) anachronistic (Aristotle, Plato's student, first tried to codify "ethics," and what he ended up with was basically a self-help book on how to be happy by emulating the happy man).
Rmj, I confess that I am selfish. I post and write to please myself, but, at the same time, I take great pleasure in my readers' engagement and enjoyment and with the occasional disagreement. My readers and I are so often of the same mind, that discussion of differences is welcome, but I'm always gob-smacked when it comes from a joke. The lesson here is perhaps for me to remember the power of humor and to think more carefully about the humor or attempts at humor that I post, keeping in mind that they may go awry. Still, I'll probably continue to post what I think is funny, with no intention to offend, but knowing that all humor will skewer and, very likely, offend someone out there.
My philosopher husband said after a glance that Jesus and Mo seemed to be reflecting the clash between Platonism and Jewish thought. The same dilemma that C. S. Lewis struggled to reconcile all his life, failing in the end.
Lewis isn't alone in wanting to have it both ways, but the issue is inescapable in traditional theology. Humor is as useful approach as any. Outside of theology, the problem doesn't arise.
False dilemma: assumes God must be the source of morality. Or that was is good must be within the sphere of what is moral (and not outside of it, as well).
ReplyDeleteWhich is in part based on a confusion of morality with ethics, making the reference to Plato (Mo's reading matter) anachronistic (Aristotle, Plato's student, first tried to codify "ethics," and what he ended up with was basically a self-help book on how to be happy by emulating the happy man).
But I digress..... ;-)
Oh no, not again! I shall be forced to give up posting jokes, cartoons, and cartoon strips altogether.
ReplyDeleteNow, come on! I didn't complain about the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteJust pointing out the logical fallacy.
Hey, I teach rhetoric! It's a reflex!
:-)
Sorry to clog up comments, but I belatedly read the link in your comment, Grandmere.
ReplyDeleteI thought that joke was pretty funny, too.
Go and please the world, eh?
Rmj, I confess that I am selfish. I post and write to please myself, but, at the same time, I take great pleasure in my readers' engagement and enjoyment and with the occasional disagreement. My readers and I are so often of the same mind, that discussion of differences is welcome, but I'm always gob-smacked when it comes from a joke. The lesson here is perhaps for me to remember the power of humor and to think more carefully about the humor or attempts at humor that I post, keeping in mind that they may go awry. Still, I'll probably continue to post what I think is funny, with no intention to offend, but knowing that all humor will skewer and, very likely, offend someone out there.
ReplyDeleteGod is God, because God is Good.
ReplyDeleteYes, Good-ness defines God.
But God personifies Good. God is the Good we can be in relationship with. [Whereas you can't be in a relationship w/ a concept or ethic.]
God is necessary, as I see Reality. [Necessary, as we have been created to Need.]
Eh, it's all paradoxical, per always...
My philosopher husband said after a glance that Jesus and Mo seemed to be reflecting the clash between Platonism and Jewish thought. The same dilemma that C. S. Lewis struggled to reconcile all his life, failing in the end.
ReplyDeleteLewis isn't alone in wanting to have it both ways, but the issue is inescapable in traditional theology. Humor is as useful approach as any. Outside of theology, the problem doesn't arise.
Murdoch, I won't bite. :-)
ReplyDelete