I am interested in PhACT's response to David Leiter's paper entitled "the pathology of organized skepticism" where he did some research on your organization. I am unable to find any response on your website. Your input would be appreciated. I am doing research on the possible paradigm effect of organizations specifically religious and scientific.
not looking for david's response looking for phact members response. this was an interesting article he wrote on the pathology of skepticism and would like the response of the members he wrote about.
Ray Haupt kindly advised me about your initial contact on this message board.
Unfortunately, to my knowledge, there was no formal response from PhACT members to the essay you're interested in, either here on this board, nor in PhACT's newsletter, Phactum, nor in the Journal of Scientific Exploration (JSE) where that essay was orginally published. There was, however, a lengthy response from a member of CSICOP published in Phactum, with a brief editorial comment there about that response.
If you'll send me your contact info at a web address that I "man" for SSE, and please simply entitle it "researcher", I'll be happy to share what I have to date with you. That address is <scientific_exploration@yahoo.com>.
Cheers,
Dave Leiter
Associate Members' Representative
Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE)
I did peruse a copy that Dave lent me at a meeting a few years ago, and also heard him read excerpts from it. It seemed he was basing his conclusions purely on informal observation, and I had to suspect that his own biases shaped those conclusions. For instance, he suggested that people join skeptical groups in response to repressive religious upbringings or having been swindled, but my parents were atheists and never pushed any beliefs on me. Nor have I ever been swindled in a major way. I would say that the reason I'm in PhACT is that I enjoy exercising my intellectual powers, and so it's gratifying to find other people with whom I can engage in stimulating exchanges.
Per your: "I would say that the reason I'm in PhACT is that I enjoy exercising my intellectual powers, and so it's gratifying to find other people with whom I can engage in stimulating exchanges."
If you want some really stimulating exchanges, join SSE and, especially, attend some of our annual meetings. We were finally able to get Eric Krieg to address one of our meetings in 2005, and I've been trying hard, but to no avail, to get Ray Haupt to attend next year's meeting at Michigan State U., in East Lansing. That would give Ray enough material to fill Phactum for the following year.
The only downer is that attendance is pretty expensive when you add up the relatively modest attendance fee, to travel, lodging, and meal costs. By comparison, attending local PhACT meetings is a downright bargain, although they're typically only 2 hours each with one speaker, vs. 3 days for SSE annual meetings, with roughly 25-30 speakers.
BTW, your "intellectual powers" are admirable and obvious to anyone who observes you over time. And, as you know, that's my job at PhACT! You would have much to contribute as an SSE member.
Dave, The Watcher
PS: This is just teasing, but are you sure that none of your parents' atheistic leanings didn't rub off on you, either as an adherent or as an opponent? Also, if you are going to be at the Solstice Party, there is a published "sequel essay" to the one that you perused, that contains more than informal observations. I'll try to remember to bring a copy for your interest and comments. I believe only a few PhACT members have read it, and they're not talking.
I'm broke at the moment, so going to conferences is out of the question. (Although I did just read a letter today claiming that an exclusive club of the world's most influential people had selected me to share their secet to unlimited success with. But I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.)
As to your teasing question (don't ask me a question if you don't want me to take it seriously), of course all parents influence their children. I just said mine didn't push anything on me. Obviously, if they hadn't been atheists I likely wouldn't have been either, nor my brother similarly an agnostic. On the other hand, they were also both revolutionary socialists, but only I took to that. My brother is apolitical and a self-described cynic.
I did RSVP Eric for the solstice party, but haven't received the details yet. I hope he didn't forget.
Eric K. did try to send you the formal invitation, but the e-mail bounced. He thinks he used an old address. He will try again. If you don't hear from him in the next day or two, e-mail him. See you there. Bring food to share.
Also, ask him about his concerns re. "the discussion list on gender issues".