On Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:58:30 -0700, Patrick Elliott wrote:

> Again, depends on the point of discussion. An argument is only rational
> if it is *possible* to change someone's mind. If the reason they can't
> is religion, then QED, they are not rational about that subject.

It's entirely possible to be logical using the internal logic (which in 
many religions has some degree of consistency) and have a rational 
discussion.

Rationality doesn't imply starting from a valid premise.  You can be 
completely rational and logical in discussing something that starts with 
a bad premise.

An argument can be completely rational as well if the goal isn't to 
change someone's mind but to provide them with another data point or to 
learn something yourself.

That's why I've continued responding here, for example <ducking>. ;-)

Jim

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