STUDYING PARADOXES to learn about WATCHTOWER teachings

by Terry 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  Terry

  Click on the name some of these Paradoxes and read the detailed description.

  How many can you apply to WATCHTOWER TEACHING?

  Decision theoretic

  • Abilene paradox: People can make decisions based not on what they actually want to do, but on what they think that other people want to do, with the result that everybody decides to do something that nobody really wants to do, but only what they thought that everybody else wanted to do.

  • Buridan's ass: How can a rational choice be made between two outcomes of equal value?
  • Control paradox: Man can never be free of control, for to be free of control is to be controlled by oneself.
  • Morton's fork: Choosing between unpalatable alternatives.
  • Paradox of hedonism: When one pursues happiness itself, one is miserable; but, when one pursues something else, one achieves happiness.
  • Newcomb's paradox: How do you play a game against an omniscient opponent?
  • Kavka's toxin puzzle: Can one intend to drink the deadly toxin, if the intention is the only thing needed to get the reward?
• 

  Terry

  Morton's Fork:

  The expression originates from a policy of tax collection devised by John Morton, Lord Chancellor in 1487, under the rule of Henry VII. His approach was that if the subject lived in luxury and had clearly spent a lot of money on himself, he obviously had sufficient income to spare for the king. Alternatively, if the subject lived frugally, and showed no sign of being wealthy, he must have had substantial savings and could therefore afford to give it to the king. These arguments were the two prongs of the fork and regardless of whether the subject was rich or poor, he didn't have a favourable choice.

  In the Kingdom Hall, if you go to all the meetings, study for the Watchtower and book study, get in your monthly "quota" then you are strong enough to be a Regular Pioneer and take on more responsibility.

  But, if you miss meetings, aren't prepared even when you do attend and have a spotty service record....you need to take on more responsibility.

  No matter what you do (or don't do) you need to display greater activity! There is no such thing as "just right".
• 

  Mall Cop

  Do more, Do more, is the cry of the day for everyone and it does not stop.

  Get sick....Do more, lose your job...Do more, spiritually weak...Do more, spiritually strong...Do more.

  SO and SO died, Do more.

  Wait on Jehovah when in doubt, Do more.
• 

  Mall Cop

  More studying, more field service, more meeting attendance, more praying.
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  Mall Cop

  Oh and do more giving money money real estate wills etc.
• 

  Terry

  To us "back in the day" ex-JW's it was nothing short of shocking to learn the Society was asking members to hand over their property when they die rather than leave it to relatives or a charity.

  The lost their sheen of "not like Christendom" after that.