soreff comments on Rationality Quotes November 2011 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Jayson_Virissimo 01 November 2011 06:28PM

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Comment author: sabre51 01 November 2011 07:11:56PM 8 points [-]

Our civilization is still in a middle stage: scarcely beast, in that it is no longer wholly ruled by instinct; scarcely human, in that it is not yet wholly ruled by reason.

Theodore Dreiser

Comment author: soreff 02 November 2011 04:35:20PM *  1 point [-]

Very much like Alexander Pope's:

Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,

A being darkly wise, and rudely great:

Comment author: brazzy 03 November 2011 12:23:38AM 2 points [-]

Or Terry Pratchett:

HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

Comment author: Bugmaster 03 November 2011 12:53:14AM *  0 points [-]

It seems like Terry Pratchett is explicitly contradicting Theodore Dreiser (IN ALL CAPS, no less).

Pratchett: "Humans need fantasy to be fully human."

Dreiser: "Fantasy is an atavism, humans need reason to be fully human."

Though it's possible that Dreiser was reflecting on cognitive bias, not on fantasy.

Comment author: bbleeker 03 November 2011 02:24:20PM *  3 points [-]

The ALL CAPS are because it's the character Death who is speaking here, in a voice like two concrete blocks being rubbed together, or the slamming of coffin lids.

Comment author: Bugmaster 03 November 2011 05:51:21PM 1 point [-]

That's what I figured, but it still looks weird without context.

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