"No Swimming Allowed!"

Dear Fred,

I've been "under the weather" lately and am only getting a couple hours work done each day.

I think your view of literalism is important.

You remind me of an epiphany I had when hiking the shores of Hemlock Lake - one of two minor Finger Lakes that serve as resevoirs for the City of Rochester, 25 miles north. 

There has never been residentiall (nor commercial) construction on the Hemlock shore, but at regular intervals signs are posted saying "Sailboats Permitted" and "No Swimming Allowed."

Although I am not much of a sailor, I know that "sunfish sailing" routinely pitches crew members into "the drink."

My realization was this.

The "authorities" know that some people will swim in Hemlock Lake, if only because authorization of sailing makes it inevitable.

However, what good is a sign that says "Not much swimming allowed?"

If the authorities let it seem there are exceptions-to-rules, thenevery individual will make himself an exception and there will be no general rule.

So, to achieve the desired end of keeping swimming within acceptable limits, it is necessary to proclaim absolutist fictions.

NO Swimming Allowed.

Literalism is an absolutist fiction which --within limits -- serves laudable (even necessary) ends.

Pax

Alan

On Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 3:04 PM, Fred Owens <froghospital911@gmail.com> wrote:

skip the nursing aide story

what about this insight that I had about literalism? Remember when Mary Martin as Peter Pan said if we don't all believe in fairies then Tinkerbelle will die? We have to believe or she will die?

So I realized -- although it might not be true at all -- that literalism has its place in the culture. Somebody, some few, need to believe that Moses parted the red sea, and Noah survived the flood -- that these are not just stories -- because if they are just stories they are merely amusing.

And if they are literally true, and the earth was made in seven days  - we have to throw science out window

I think the real truth is a contradiction that we have to live with us.



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Fred Owens
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