Hi Adam,
I see that http://rationalparliamentgm.eventbrite.co.uk/ says:
"Our rationalism is this: as individuals we want to listen to every
view, distinguish between our own views and those of others and then
make our own minds up. This includes hearing from scientists,
researchers, campaigners, business people and political commentators.
A rational approach to political questions uses free and critical
thinking, not dogma or scientism. We use publicly funded research as a
starting point for discussion."
However, while this is very superficially appealing - like all good
glossy marketing - it does not safeguard against unintentional biases
or lacunae; and it doesn't really answer my questions below.
First of all, it does not appear to be internally consistent. Take the
phrase, "as individuals we want to listen to every view". *Every*
view? Really? If so, then why say shortly afterwards, "A rational
approach ... uses *not* dogma or scientism."?
I'll cut to the chase. To which system of "rationality" is the
rhetoric officer expected to adhere? Has it been formalised and proven
consistent?
If so, what are its axioms and derivation rules?
If not, on what grounds do you feel entitled to claim "rationality"?
Regards,
Sam
On 23/08/2013, Adam Smith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> Do you think we can argue about political issues better with scientists and
> researchers in the room? Do you think politics needs a better balance
> between evidence and values?
>
> If your answer is no, look away now... If it's yes, come to the first
> sitting of the Rational Parliament, an experimental debating society I'm
> setting up with support from Simon Singh's Good Thinking Society, the
> Rationalist Association, and science writer and failed Science Party
> parliamentary candidate Michael Brooks.
>
> Our rationalism is ensuring that a political debate considers relevant
> research alongside personal values and experiences. Imagine Nuttsack,
> without the sack. Or fracking without all the financial interests on one
> side and the dogmatic greens on the other.
>
> In the Rational Parliament, we don't have a 'panel of experts' and a token
> Q&A sesh; everyone is in the debate together. A rhetoric officer points out
> where language is being used to limit our free thinking, motions are
> proposed and voted through or down, and signs are raised when debaters are
> being too scientistic or abusing evidence.
>
> The title motion for the first sitting is: "This House agrees that GM is a
> rational approach to meeting food demand."
>
> When? 10 September in London* - go here to register for FREE:
> http://rationalparliamentgm.eventbrite.co.uk/
>
> No apologies for cross-posting - we need all the promo we can get ;-)
>
> Thanks,
> Adam
> @AdamCommentism
> *If the format works we'd love to roll it out into other cities and towns,
> and will need help to do this, probably in 2014.
>
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