the only way we might - is the same way you have just demonstrated - or offer an answer based on convention, consensus and trial and error - as I am doing write now - secondly I do not presuppose what he has in mind but merely a conceivable interpretation of what he wrote - as with anything I read (being a good student of both Barthes and Derrida) I assume I recognize the possible referents of the words chosen - and from that derive their potential, or probable content. I do not presuppose that interpretation represents the intended content of the writer - such a claim is much too metaphysical - I may then test my understanding against that of others, or against that of the writer if I have access to them. With time I might in this manner derive the various possible meanings embedded in the text, or pragmaticallysettle for whatever works - but then again you probably don't have a clue as to what i'm writing about[?]
On Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 5:18 PM, Tom McCormack <[email protected]> wrote: > In a message dated 8/23/12 3:42:14 PM, [email protected] writes: > > > > > > "All the poor boy seems to be asking is; do you have a model/ paradigm > that > > guides your aesthetic (I can be more specific, in that I would like to ask > > about this relative to your writing - plays)" > > > > But Saul, I claim that line demonstrates the mistake I cited in the second > half of my posting: > > > > "Moreover, we the readers, are as gullible as you the writer: Very, very > > often something of a notion does come to mind and we unquestioningly > assume > > it's what you're "talking about"". > > > > How do you, Saul, know what's on his mind when he says 'Aesthetic ideal'? > Suppose he's not talking about something that guides me as a writer? That > is, > suppose he's asking something about me not as creator but as a > contemplator? > > > > And why are you so sure you know what he has in mind when he says the word > 'aesthetic'? I feel sure it's not the same thing I have in mind when I use > that word. > > > > Meantime, however, I think you're safe in assuming he'll garner the > condescending insult you have in mind when you call him "the poor boy". > > -- S a u l O s t r o w *Critical Voices* 21STREETPROJECTS 162 West 21 St NYC, NY 10011 [email protected] [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/gif which had a name of 32B.gif]
