Wittgenstein's Lion

[mitchellmckain (Scientist and Christian)]

The explanation with the comic leaves out one thing. There is not only a matter of being a part of their world but also that of having the desire to be a part of it. As long as “world of warcraft” or whatever remains something you don’t want to be a part of then what they say will remain unintelligible. But you can also let yourself be draw into their world and then it becomes possible, however long it takes, to make sense of what they say.

Don’t get me wrong… there is nothing judgmental meant about this. We all have to make choices about what to do with our lives and there is nothing wrong with deciding you are not going to go in that direction. But if you want to know why you cannot understand some people, this is the explanation.

@MarkD

That is yet one more meaning for the phrase “possible worlds”. The Lion’s isn’t, the WoW player’s might be.

I think human beings even have the capacity to be drawn into the world of lions… or insects… or plants… or fungi… or fish… or microbes. The interests and passions of people are vastly diverse… and when they really devote their lives to understanding something, I wouldn’t put it past people to even understand these creatures if they could speak.

@MarkD

We’re certainly capable of empathy toward other animals and we can know about their worlds in some ways. But whether by way of our imagination or by careful study all those ways by which we can know another animal are human ways. We can find out what their concerns seem to revolve around but we do so once removed, experiencing what it’s like to be a human imagining he was a lion. Our home base for all experience is human. Doesn’t mean the effort isn’t worth it and the desire to know what it’s like to be all those things is certainly human.

You know, if there is any more interest in discussing Mitchell’s response to that Wittgenstein inspired comic, perhaps some kind mod would like to give it its own thread? Otherwise we are in danger of losing track of this thread’s very important mission, namely showing that people interested science and religion are capable of laughing at themselves.

I disagree. I am not talking about what the average person can do. I am talking about those who immerse their lives in the subject. To put it another way, this is a capacity which I think we share with God being made in His image. That just as He can be both 100% God and 100% man, we also have the capacity, however difficult and exceptional, and however much genius, passion and immersion it requires, to put ourselves in the life of another living creature, without ceasing to be human. I really think we share some of the limitless nature of God in that way. In a way you can say that this what we are paying the price for in the bizarre extremities of our diversity.