Slowwhand, are you suggesting that all philosophical thought is worthless because it is entirely without basis and founded in conjecture? Ultimately it is your decision as to which person's opinion you take account of, but each viewpoint is as valid as the next for each person and even those you may reject as worthless may have some merit when reconsidered. Very rarely is there a definite right and a definite wrong.
The absence of a frame of reference is the whole point of research. Knowledge has its foundations in ignorance after all. If your civ's scientists announced that they had discovered a bizarre new system of ritual worship but involving only one god rather than several, would you dismiss their ideas as preposterous and without a frame of reference or embrace them as an opportunity for improvement?
I do accept your point that there are far too many self-appointed experts posting some complete bosh in these forums recently, but I don't regard anyone as an expert, no matter how bold their claims. The content of the post is more important than the style and the amount of bluster the poster uses to try and provoke a response.
