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01 Jun 16
2 edits
Originally posted by FMFThe question there you refer to was about - "ranking of any kind". Sounds like you don't like ranking of any kind.
Because I don't think there is such a thing as "the world's most important writing". So how can I possibly "rank" anything as such?
Now if you don't mind, well actually if you do too, I will pay attention to people's vote.
They may qualify their vote with something like - "one of the big ones is" or "IMO" or " in the last 100 years ____".
These qualifiers are okay.
01 Jun 16
Originally posted by sonshipI don't understand why you have reacted in such a peculiar way to my expression of my opinion and my thinking behind it. I haven't tried to stop anyone from expressing their opinions. Did you want me to answer: the Bible?
Now if you don't mind, well actually if you do too, I will pay attention to people's vote.
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The drift of FMF's comments is that there is really no objective most important book.
This is one reason why I consider the Bible up there as the most important. It tells us that the judgement of God "is according to truth" (Romans 2:2) .
Coming out of the loose as a goose 1960s, when I first paid attention to this passage from Romans it kind of shocked me.
"You mean it is not ALL relative ??"
No, it apparently is not ALL relative. The final judgement of God "is according to TRUTH".
That is one reason among a number why I would say reading comprehension on this book, the Bible, is really most important. Somehow in the end there will be an evaluation of our lives not lost in relativism's total fog. It will be according to truth.
That is both good news and yet sobering news as well.
01 Jun 16
Originally posted by sonshipAsking people what their opinion is regarding the most important book in the world is surely a matter of subjectivity and not objectivity? If there are some empirical parameters you wish to set then do so. But you've acknowledged that you are canvassing people's personal opinions.
The drift of FMF's comments is that there is really no objective most important book.
01 Jun 16
Originally posted by sonshipI find many books useful; yes, even parts of the Bible. But I agree with FMF that the concept of ranking them in order of importance is fundamentally flawed.
[b] There is no such thing. And even if some people DO believe there is such a thing as "the world's most important writing",
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That is a pretty drastic stance simply to avoid giving an opinion about what you might consider the most important writing.
You m ...[text shortened]... ally incoherent like - " No one can write an English sentence of more than four words." [/b]
First - the Bible is many books; a collection of writings spanning centuries. So, by ranking the entire collection #1, you've allowed an easy way out of the chore. Just pick all the writings one likes, form a collection of them, and rank the whole thing #1.
Second - which version of the Bible, of the manifold changing versions as the Bible was rewritten over and over again by hand, before the invention of the printing press? Or which of the manifold versions that came after the printing press, where man showed he still likes his holy books to be fluid despite a newfound ability to duplicate them word-for-word?
As for music - can you pick just one piece? I know I can't. Some faves:
Animals as Leaders - the Joy of Motion
Alice in Chains - Facelift
Tool - Lateralus
etc.
...asking me to leave all but one of them out is like asking me to label a bunch of great music "inferior" when I do not feel it is inferior at all. [I suppose I can bundle them all into a collection - I'll call it "Most Awesome Music EVAR!!!" and rank that number 1. Problem solved.]
You asked FMF "it sounds like you want to avoid ranking of any kind...why?" I could just as well ask, "why are you so keen to rank things"?
Yet another caveat. I rarely agree with everything a book has to say, especially one that covers far-reaching and difficult topics. So, I'd add that, not only is it important in general to comprehend what one reads on weighty topics, but also to think critically about what one has just read. It is normal and healthy for parts of the writing to be accepted and others discarded.
Asking only about the understanding part leaves out the critical second part of taking writing on board the mental ship.
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Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
I find many books useful; yes, even parts of the Bible. But I agree with FMF that the concept of ranking them in order of importance is fundamentally flawed.
So then which sentence would you rank as more important ?
1.) We can rank the writings of the world in some order of importance.
2.) We cannot rank the writings of the world in any order of importance.
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Originally posted by sonship'Wisecracks, lampoons, smart aleck answers and comedian jokes not needed.'
When it comes to [b] reading comprehension, what is the world's most important writing that needs to be comprehended ?
Whose writing do you think is the most crucial that something of it, if not all of it, is crucial to be grasped through reading comprehension?
Serious replies ?
Wisecracks, lampoons, smart aleck answers and comedian jokes not needed.
Any thoughtful and serious consideration is welcomed.[/b]
Come sir, your threads invariably require at least two of the above.