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Like me, you may be tired of '...isms'. They seem to appear spontaneously as if from nothing: racism, sexism, deism, theism, ......and the rest.

However, I do know one thing: there is only one "...'ism" that truly counts. And counts for us all. Just one that has global and universal validity. It has no barriers to entry. There is no bar on colour or race. No hurdle to creed or belief. No let to sex or gender. No hindrance to size or shape. In fact, there is not a single criterion that man can define (and an infinite number that may yet be shown to exist), which would prevent anyone from subscribing.

That '...ism' is 'Intellectualism'. I do not use this word with any attached pejorative intent. I use it in the sense that the only quality required of those that subscribe is a willingness to use one's intellect.

Avicenna 5 Sep 14
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my guy has alzheimer's. his intellect is deteriorating. is he worthless, then?

my ism of choice would be humanism.

g

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One could argue that intellectualism is closed to non-intellectuals or, for example, to the mentally challenged. Perhaps humanism is a better objective?

@Avicenna Point taken, but I'm not sure you can usefully divorce the term from the common associations people have for it. I have met people who either don't have terrific intellect or think they don't (which in practice amounts to the same thing) and I generally go out of my way not to intimidate them or exclude them. That's why I propose secular humanism as a more universal and inclusive "ism". It meets what I call "the goatherd test" ... I imagine you can guess what I mean by that. No special abilities or training required or implied. We're all in this together.

@Avicenna Ah ... don't do that. You have good ideas. Keep 'em coming.

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