Greetings larc,
:Hello Duns,
I will take your obscure sentence and translate it. You are interested in the real nature of race and the question of intelligence as it applies to minorities. Since you are interested in this subject, why don't you tell us your conclusions?:
I have not arrived at any definite conclusions, yet. I am still reading a number of African-American thinkers, who share disparate perspectives on this issue. Certain thinkers, such as Kwame Appiah, think that we should do away with the category of race altogether. He even appeals to science to support his ideas. His approach has been called neopositivistic. But Lewis R. Gordon and Lucius T. Outlaw both think that we should retain the category of race. Outlaw suggests that race, however, encompasses biological, social and cultural factors. Naomi Zack has also done some excellent research on so-called mixed races. Gordon discusses Zack's theory in his _Africana Existentia_.
At any rate, I am still forming my own ideas on the subject. I right now think that "race" could be a social construct (i.e., it is not an essential or substantial category). Nevertheless, there might be good reasons for maintaining the classification "race" for now. Preserving the category does not mean that one supports racist ideologies, however.
:You also state that you want to help the mentaly ill. What have you done in this regard?:
I have endeavored to stress proper respect and concern for the mentally ill in my very congregation. I've also taken active steps to encourage others to take advantage of depression screening day in our area. Furthermore, I have encouraged certain brothers and sisters to take advantage of professional counselors, if they feel the need. I also think Paul's counsel in 1 Thess 5:14 is quite apropos when one is dealing with depressed souls. Duns would like to see certain congregational policies change vis-à-vis mentally ill persons as well.
:Since you missdiagnosed yourself with a diagnostic category that does not exist, I think you have some homework to do. By the way, what role do the demons play in the world of mental illness?:
First, in case you haven't figured it out yet, Duns was joking about associative personality disorder. Secondly, Duns did not say that he diagnosed himself. He said that someone else did. But this comment was made in jest. Do I have to smatter my submissions with emoticons so that you guys know Duns is joking? Besides, I am not a psychologist nor do I want to be. I am a philosopher, pure and simple, who is interested in psychological issues. I study psychology from that angle.
As far as the demons go, I really cannot say what part they play in mental illness. While I do not believe that loyal Christians can be demon-possessed, for example, I think that the demons can exacerbate certain conditions. But demon activity is not in the purview of science, is it?
:Duns, I am starting to loose respect for your intellectual integrity.:
Did you have any respect for my intellectual integrity in the first place?
Dan
Duns the Scot
