Note: This post is windbaggery
This seems to be the solution for a lot of things...Take it, and then run it right to the wall. If it can't stand the strain, it's not valid. If the others can't handle the strange bodily fluids you emit, or the strange howlings of the rock n roll you blast while you stress-test their system, then you'll know the truth.
Happened to read this verse in Mitchell's trans. of Tao te Ching today:
When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger.
The gist of this verse, which I can easily agree with, both contradicts and supports your thing. On the one hand, it seems to me taking an ideology to the wall could serve simply to make the participant more fanatical more quickly, or else drive 'em insane; and it would be wiser to simply take the ideology only to where it's necessary, and nowhere else.
On the other hand, you seem to be saying that taking it to the wall is exactly how to
find out where the idea's "functions should end."
I suppose the resolution could be found in the following: yes, taking it to the wall has dangers of fanaticism and insanity and other shit, if you don't go in with the proper attitude. But if you don't brave the danger, you don't deserve the resulting wisdom. And "danger" is exactly where the fun is to be had most of the time anyway.
Thoughts?
