pen-l  

processology and proctology

Chris Burford
Sat, 08 Feb 2003 16:24:22 -0800

At 08/02/03 06:09 -0500, Melvin wrote:

Goggle's is correct: the study of the anus primarily deals with its function as an apparatus for discarding feces - shit. Let's not get caught up in a bunch of shit.


On reflection I suspect that the subliminal association of 'processology' with proctology is not accidental. Campbell is condescendingly suggesting that to get into too much detail is naval gazing or anus inspecting.

It implies that the overall picture is what is important. While attention to presentation is important, beyond a certain point it comes down to quantum detail. The overall picture  in this case is of a nasty repressive regime, being confronted by force and concerted argument and about to be overthrown. It takes a highly relativist post-modernist stand on the nature of truth and looks instead to the resultant of forces, which it merely catalyses.

Against this powerful, arrogant, and very successful argument, stands the issue of what is the exact level of evidence that should justify punishment of a state by the Security Council - mood music, balance of probabilities, or beyond reasonable doubt, and when all other alternatives have been exhausted. There is a difference between due process and "processology"

Chris Burford

London