Re: Plumbing, consciousness & soc.dem.

[AUSTIN_GS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

  In response to Gary, Herbert Gintis wrote:

>...With students, I prefer to teach them how to evaluate
>arguments critically, and I am proud when my students don't
>know what my own politics are (i.e., which answers I prefer
>to questions that cannot be resolved on scientific and empirical
>grounds alone).  I don't think we should preach to students our
>personal political and cultural values, although we should present
>them for scrutiny along side other views.

BRAVO!!! I applaud teachers such as Professor Gintis...for
understanding the real reason for their profession. The goal
of a teacher must be to help expand a students ability to
critically evaluate arguments and situations that confront
them...if we ever hope to continually evolve for the better.
Merely brainwashing leads to a static society that would not
have the tools to deal with new arguments and situations.
I am a graduate student of economics and must say that it
is professors such as Professor Gintis who teach me things
I will use when I am in my profession.  As Kahlil Gibron
stated "If he is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the
house of "his" wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshhold
of your own mind"
                           Sincerely,
                              Laura Austin
austin_gs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx