@Jack Cummins It is extremely naive to think that society is pluralistic when it comes to ideas and expressions. Censorship,direct or indirect is a fact.
This forum is no exception.
Philosophy is an expression of one's values. And many people value control and dogma over genuine discussion.
Also bear in mind,many decisions are made by decree,no discussion or recourse to appeal. The authoritarian mindset is rampant on internet forums and the media.
Freedom is found in the gaps of the state!
You must battle for freedom!

@skyblack Cheers for that suggestion!
The irony is that a lot of the posters on that wild thread are probably well read in novels,plus they have life experience of conflict,which is the ultimate.
The media/ruling class ideologies are religiously held to by many posters for fear of actually having to think for themselves.
Fear is the mind warper!

@Foghorn Dickens or Ayn rand???!!!

@skyblack I agree with a lot of what you say.
Many folks will never give up appeals to authority and the worship of experts and fear.
But there are people who are intrinsically free,who accept no unwarranted authorities. These people should recognise their natural inclination toward truth and independence. I think if you overemphasise "psychological revolution" you end up with skepticism,and that's not a natural position.

@Foghorn Lol! It was your use of the words wanker and nitwit,etc.
And FYI,we english have the best language in The world!
Its good to laugh!!!

@Foghorn Yep! But I think it's that the ruling class loves it's land and business interests and is willing to cheat steal and murder to keep them. Joe public loves to play the victim,but not always to the level of war.
The Israeli Palestine situation is primarily for land and prestige. And some sickos enjoy the conflict.
But those who live by the sword...
On the forum,I think some enjoy preaching moralising and trolling,some love branding people.
I love the competition,but I choose my battles.
Last comment of yours is lol!! Are you English?

@StreetlightX For sure,I'm against state warfare as both sides justify collateral damage.
It's more the morality of supporting any cause where collateral damage is justified and ignored.

@Foghorn I wouldn't say its necessarily rhetorical violence in most cases. Sometimes it's just venting by posters,which speaks to a kind of paranoia or ultra defensiveness of ideology.
Some enjoy it because they think it bolsters their self esteem and prestige.
Some enjoy the competitive nature of debate,but still have the morality and mental clarity to keep things on point without descending into rabble and idiocy.

Collateral damage. What a horrible and anti human concept. A euphemism for innocent,non combatant deaths being acceptable.

If collateral damage has moral equivalence to intentional murder then FDR and Churchill are basically Hitler. Virtually every government that has ever been at war for whatever reason is evil and illegitimate.— BitconnectCarlos

So what do folks make of this?
Is all modern warfare illegitimate?
What becomes of revolutionaries who justify violence to overturn supposedly oppressive regimes?
Is collective violence ever justified?
@StreetlightX @BitconnectCarlos @180 Proof

@Foghorn I do like this concept of dethroning the scientific clergy! Science is used by politicians through the media as a dogma and solution for every "problem" now.
Witness the current "corona fiasco" and science used to justify political interference in all aspects of human life.
When a clergy interferes with human freedom it has to be Ignored!

I found David pearces thread on transhumanism a product of a paranoid authoritarian mind.
Dissolution of the material body is inevitable.
Those that are scared or paranoid about death invent all sorts of narratives to avoid it. Do you want to avoid sleep as well!!??
Lack of self esteem,hubris and ruling class materialism causes folks to invent narratives that would make Terry pratchett blush.
Seems like a religion shaped hole...

If ones taste is to value truth that's great.
If not,then it's just second hand car sales. Which is what most of philosophy,science and religion is.

You don't really need to convince a skeptic.
Many people are too wedded to their ideology to entertain serious questions about life after death.
Some commit the mistake of assuming conciousness is the brain. Zero evidence for this. Others falsely claim conciousness is non physical,also false.
Many people have physical and verbal contact with "departed" Loved ones,I don't see you how you can disprove this,despite some cases being fraudulent.
It's like proving that your wife loves you to a dogmatic scientist. How would you do that? And why would you care about a strangers dogmatic opinion?