Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!ucsd!ucbvax!APEE.OGI.EDU!mehuld
From: mehuld@APEE.OGI.EDU (Mehul Dave)
Newsgroups: news.groups
Subject: Re: SCI.philosophy.objectivism
Summary: Criticism is welcome, diatribes are not
Message-ID: <9002040025.AA12193@apee.ogi.edu>
Date: 4 Feb 90 00:25:13 GMT
References: <7450@tank.uchicago.edu>
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: Oregon Graduate Institute (formerly OGC), Beaverton, OR
Lines: 36

Peter da Silva, John Ockerbloom and some other readers have expressed
their opposition to Robert Tracinski's reply to Dave Jones and think
that his comments implied no criticism of Objectivism would be welcom
in SPO.  Robert has explained himself well but I would like to add some
of my own observations.

Please note that the so called "sci diehards" (of whom I happen to be
one) have vigorously opposed *any* moderation.  If our purpose was not
to welcome any dissent or criticism, we would have actively supported
moderation.  We *do* welcome criticism of Objectivism and inquiries
about validity of its ideas.  What we do not think is appropriate to
the newsgroup are baseless diatribes against it.  For example, an
argument of the sort "Objectivism claims to establish a rational ethics
based on objective facts.  I don't accept their argument because it has
this particular flaw <insert your favorite argument>.  Therefore, I
disagree with it.  If Objectivists can defend their argument, I would
like to see how they prove their case" would be welcome.  Also
inquiries like "how does Objectivism explain how concepts such as love
are formed" is welcome.  Whereas an argument of the sort "you're just a
bunch of fools who are just a fan club of Ayn Rand" is NOT welcome.
Such an "argument" serves no purpose.  It does not offer any arguments
for its criticism of Objectivism or Objectivists but is intended just
to provoke flames.

I think this would be true of any newsgroup, not only SPO.  The posting
should pertain to the subject matter of the newsgroup.  It should not
be a senseless flame.  That's why a discussion of a charter which
establishes guidelines for what the purpose of a newsgroup is, would go
a long way towards establishing a quality newsgroup.

-- 
--Mehul Dave--                          (INTERNET :- mehuld@apee.ogi.edu)

"For I lean on no dead kin, my name in mine for fame or scorn
And the world began when I was born and the world is mine to win" 
							  --Badger Clark--