Skip to Dialogue Index
I don't know the best way to deal with the problems of presenting dialogues to keep them on topic, understandable, and easy to follow. There are so many topics, and frequently the discussions cross many boundaries.
There are also many different kinds of dialogues, each of which have some unique characteristics. A face to face discussion differs from a phone conversation, or one conducted by mail. Moderated newsgroups differ from unmoderated ones, not only in who they attract, but also in the arbitrary categories and implicit censorship of moderated groups.
Another difficulty inherent in cyberspace is the anonymity of the participants. You don't know who you're talking to. You don't know their age, background, education, experience, or sensitivities, not to mention their motivations, beliefs, or seriousness. Most discussions get sidetracked, but in cyberspace it is exaggerated to a point where it is difficult to keep track of what the topic is supposed to be, or who said what.
To maximize the desirable features of discussion while minimizing the detrimental ones I try to encourage participation and I will minimize censorship. I will incorporate as many comments, criticisms, suggested topics and questions that I possibly can with the exception of outrageously abusive material.
I have designed the dialogues to use the inherent strengths of the internet, especially its linking capability, so that each presentation of ideas will show:
1. The general topic.
2. A source reference for accuracy and context.
3. A thread title used in the source reference.
4. The date presented.
5. The author (if, permitted).
6. Links to website, or e-mail (Optional)
7. What was said.
8. Links to comments presented as superscripts.
9. A request for your comments or questions.
This design will enable you to:
Follow, (if you choose), any link imbedded in the text as a superscript to read another contribution, and return to where you were with the 'back' button. Each contribution may contain links to further contributions.
Hopefully, that will give you as much control as possible to follow what interests you and still keep track of where you are, or were.
.
.
.
1. Newsgroup-Unmoderated
2. Newsgroup-Moderated
3. E-mail
4. Philosophy Society
5. Other Websites
6. Specific Philosophers
.
.
.
1.Will and Energy
2. Moral Absolutes
3. pi and pii
4.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.