I could explain why I am not replying to Shetterly's comments

[james_davis_nicoll]

But frankly coffeeandink did it better than I could.

sparkymonster's contribution is also of note

Comments

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Learn something new, or be exposed to a new way of looking at facts, or have it explained that the way I was perceiving something was flawed, about different things.

I like being right.

Because of that, I find it very important to listen to people who say that I'm wrong. It is vitally important to me to listen with humility to people who disagree with me, and to consider their arguments carefully.

Because, if I AM wrong, it is only by acknowleging that, and learning more, and recognizing that I have been wrong, that I can be right.

It is vitally important to my self-image that I do not become ossified in my thinking, that I am always willing to consider the possibility that I have been mistaken, that someone who disagrees with me is correct. I will not engage in a debate with someone unless I am willing to have my mind changed by that person. If I realize that my belief in something is not subject to evidence, I don't argue about it. There are things I believe without evidence and without subject to evidence, things on which my mind cannot be changed.

I don't talk about them, because there's no point in talking about them. Unless I can be demonstrated wrong, unless I can change my mind, why discuss something?

I seek out people who disagree with me, to listen to their arguments, and decide if I have been mistaken. Because I don't like being mistaken. I like understanding the universe. And if my understanding is mistaken, then I don't understand the universe.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Okay, you are now defending ignorant obstinancy. I'm done.