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From: usenet@ucbvax.ARPA (USENET News Administration)
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Re: More Atheistic Wishful Thinking
Message-ID: <10601@ucbvax.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 9-Oct-85 20:06:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.10601
Posted: Wed Oct  9 20:06:02 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Oct-85 14:41:46 EDT
References: <718@utastro.UUCP> <27500134@ISM780B.UUCP> <576@spar.UUCP>
Reply-To: tedrick@ucbernie.UUCP (Tom Tedrick)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 58
Keywords: reincarnation

>Is reincarnation a useful theory? I cannot answer, as I
>have not closely examined the  appropriate religious and
>mystical evidence. I profess ignorance...

OK, one of my favorite topics. Here are some ideas about
reincarnation.

1). My personal bias is towards the dignity and worth of
    each individual. If we take as an axiom the existence
    of an indestructable individual soul which reincarnates, this
    seems to me to provide a basis for a belief in one's own
    personal worth, as opposed to God, the state, etc.
    It argues against racism, oppresion of the individual by
    the state, religious leaders, etc. 

2). It provides an explanation for precocious behavior in
    that it is assumed that pre-existing talents and
    interests are latent in children. It provides a
    reason for seeking to find and develop latent talents
    in children, rather than regarding them as "blank slates".

3). It entails a different attitude towards social organization.
    For example, if reincarnation is assumed, then lifelong
    education is valuable for the presumed benefits which
    will be carried over to the next life. It argues in
    favor of restructuring education so that students are
    not weeded out for slow development, but rather given
    the chance to retake courses repeatedly. It argues in
    favor of patience and willingness to help slower students
    in the hope that eventually the fruits of this effort
    will appear, even if not in this lifetime. Environmental
    concerns take on more importance relative to short term profits
    since the greedy capitalists will have to come back into the
    polluted world again at some point, and face the mess they
    have created, starting at the bottom of the power structure..
    In general it provides a reason for concern about the
    well being of the earth, assuming we have to come back
    and go through all this suffering again ...
    It argues against unnecessary war and international conflict,
    since yesterday's Nazi can be today's Jew, today's
    white can be tomorrow's black, today's Russian can be
    tommorow's American, today's rich can be tommorow's poor, etc.
    It argues it favor of fairness towards one's fellow man,
    since the individual you shaft this time you may encounter
    again at some future time. It argues against creating unjust
    social institutions since one may have to experience this
    injustice oneself the next time around.

4). It provides a useful aid for strategically arranging ones
    life. For example, given that pre-existing interests and
    talents are latent in us all, seeking to pursue one's
    interests and uncover and develop ones innate talents (rather
    than trying to force oneself into an externally imposed mold)
    offers promise of success. Denying one's individuality
    and attempting to fufill roles imposed by external forces
    promises unhappiness and failure.  It promises rewards for
    continued effort in whatever area one is working, if not in
    this lifetime then the next ...