Why are people cool with Aztec human sacrifice and not Spanish colonialism?

[Lorizael]

Yet it was Western countries that first recognised the evils of imperialism, colonialism, and slavery.

Weee! It was imperial powers that recognized colonialism was wrong! Yay!

[giblets]

In a sense you are right. It is not such a modern idea, is it?

But then again, are --"science, reason, individual achievement"? Some are not so modern at all, though in fact science and the scientific method did not exist at all in Columbus' times. But the Christianity of today is different from the Christianity of Columbus' day and the Inquisition. So too, the ideas of 'science, reason and individual achievement' are today a point of emphasis among many Christians and, most importantly, American Christians.

Take for example this passage from a not-so-old text, Tocqueville's Democracy in America. This passage, I think, still reflects the basic and predominant ideas of American religious life today.

That text is over 150 years old. That is pretty old. There's no connection between valuing 'science, reason and individual achievement' and religion in contemporary American society and one could argue that many religious people value science and reason less.

[dannubis]

How cute. Dannubis is using Wikipedia to make his arguments.

At least I make a point.

Scientific method is a concept that exsited at least during the times of the ancient Greeks. Now, my memory might be off but I am pretty damn sure that was before Colon set sail.

[Ben Kenobi]

Scientific method is a concept that exsited at least during the times of the ancient Greeks. Now, my memory might be off but I am pretty damn sure that was before Colon set sail.

To be fair he did have a chocolate craving.

[Ben Kenobi]

The person who is recognized is often important, not just the person to first think of a thing. This is because thinking of a thing yet not communicating it effectively to those who use it/advance it is not so meaningful.

Jon, Jon, Jon. That's the wrong attitude. You're supposed to say that Europeans never invented anything. Has university taught you nothing? Everything that was every any good was invented by someone who wasn't a european.

[dannubis]

To be fair he did have a chocolate craving.

Let me use wiki again:

Christopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo; Spanish: Cristóbal Colón; before 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an explorer, navigator, and colonizer, born in the Republic of Genoa, in what is today northwestern Italy.

I know he was born in Genua, but since he was sailing under Spanish flag I took the liberty of writing his Spanish name.

[dannubis]

Jon, Jon, Jon. That's the wrong attitude. You're supposed to say that Europeans never invented anything. Has university taught you nothing? Everything that was every any good was invented by someone who wasn't a european.

Given the fact that you are thankfully not European, why do you care ?

[Ben Kenobi]

I know he was born in Genua, but since he was sailing under Spanish flag I took the liberty of writing his Spanish name.

WOOOSH

[MrFun]

You are getting mad at political correctness by being politically correct. I see.

It reminds me of when I use the words "Tea Baggers" to talk about Tea Party people in a politically incorrect way, and then politically incorrect Tea Baggers get all bent out of shape.

[DinoDoc]

I thought you were a Tea Bagger, Fun.

[MrFun]

I thought you were a Tea Bagger, Fun.

I'm a politically incorrect person and I find your politically incorrect joke to be offensive.

[DinoDoc]

I'm merely curious how a big tea bagger like yourself could find so many of his fellow travellers so repulsive. Is it what comes out of their mouths?

[MrFun]

It's time to do your own hands-on, field research DD.

[DinoDoc]

We're trying to use the light of truth to plumb the depths and source of your feelings for fellow tea baggers. Do these questions make you feel uncomfortable?

[OneFootInTheGrave]

I've seen some recent articles tracing the origin of the scientific method to the Arab scholar Ibn al-Haytham ( 925 - 1040 AD ), who used mathematics to predict the results of experiments in Optics.

I am getting ready for Ibn al-Haytham scientific method day.