Continued from here.

it is FAR from certain that we can't realistically talk about a collection of individuals having cognitive states that don't map to the states of any one thinker.

This makes a certain amount of sense, otherwise the term "mob mentality" would be meaningless. A lot of reasoning ability seems to go out the window when people act in large groups, which is why totalitarianism and collectivism go together so well. Totalitarian leaders LOVE "mob mentality."

As for limitations on the individual, obviously there have to be some. The libertarian rule of thumb is that you have the right to swing your fist as long as you don't hit anyone's nose. What exactly constitutes "hitting someone's nose" is, of course, where things get a bit more difficult.

Just do me a favor, as an old debate partner, and don't even bother with the 'High Falutin' Language' tac of argument- just don't even respond if your going off in that direction.

I'll do my best. Just keep them there "parallel computation models" away from me, okay? ;)

But...

If you really want to see a philosophical academic blow smoke like Vesuvius, check out the "Poseur Alert" <a href=http://www.andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish_inc=archives/2003_09_21_dish_archive.html#106446005058168452">here.