Anu ([info]azooey) wrote,
@ 2006-08-14 09:51:00
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Contrarianism

In an eminently thought-worthy post, Don Boudreaux describes the virtues & vices of contrarianism.  

Being contarian is admirable because it keeps the mind open and exploring; it's of a piece with one of the finest of all intellectual dispositions: skepticism.

When I contradict myself (which happens at the same frequency as that of trains departing from the Central Railway Station), i often take shelter behind the open mindedness of such full-blooded skepticism, sometimes affording myself a view from both sides of the blinds, so to speak. And with a frequency, not much less than the earlier stated, I fall prey to the contrarian vice - rejecting some piece of wisdom simply because it is widely accepted -- and of confusing the possible for the plausible.

He also goes on to frame a very likeable definition of wisdom, borrowing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's analysis ("To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom"). He fears, quite justifiably so, that too many contarians are content to bask in the brilliance of their cleverness even if this brilliance blinds them to wisdom. 

Ahem. If you notice any similarities between this proclamation and a certain reckless blogger, you're strongly advised to ignore the feeling.




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[info]zeeshanmn
2006-08-14 07:57 am UTC (link)
Nice user pic :-D.

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[info]azooey
2006-08-14 10:25 am UTC (link)
thanks zeesh! long time no see...

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[info]zeeshanmn
2006-08-14 10:44 am UTC (link)
Been very very busy, personal / professional both ways. You leaving sometime soon?

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[info]bipin
2006-08-14 03:23 pm UTC (link)
rejecting some piece of wisdom simply because it is widely accepted -- and of confusing the possible for the plausible.
Word.

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[info]azooey
2006-08-14 05:50 pm UTC (link)
Would ur highness descend from thy throne of brevity and elucidate.

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[info]bipin
2006-08-14 06:36 pm UTC (link)
Sure thing. Here you go. Look at the second definition - that's more where I was at.

You might not have noticed, but adding such words to my vocabulary and ending my sentences with prepositions makes me extremely hip.

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[info]azooey
2006-08-15 03:12 am UTC (link)
ubercool! but i wonder if it bothers you that u might find it hard to "fit in" with the rest of us lesser mortals ;)

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[info]floopilot
2006-08-15 10:01 pm UTC (link)
**cough cough** coincidence?

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[info]smokediceman
2006-08-14 06:31 pm UTC (link)
He fears, quite justifiably so, that too many contarians are content to bask in the brilliance of their cleverness even if this brilliance blinds them to wisdom

Isn't that contradictory in a certain sense? If he were truly contrarian, he would have to be sceptical of the belief he's brilliant. Or atleast not be as supremely convinced of it to not consider the possibility he's not Einstein v2.

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[info]azooey
2006-08-15 03:20 am UTC (link)
If he were truly contrarian, he would have to be sceptical of the belief he's brilliant.

He is also extremely likely to confuse the possible for the plausible. In this sense, it might be argued that skepticism is the art of cultivating doubt to distract.

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[info]reetumz
2006-08-16 05:29 pm UTC (link)
Interesting, can I add you?

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[info]azooey
2006-08-17 05:26 am UTC (link)
sure

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