Greetings Ham, At 02:59 PM 10/9/2007, you wrote: > Hi Marsha -- > > > > > You seem to want a metaphysics to go by a static definition that > > you've found in a compilation representing primarily a Western > > point-of-view. And it seems that Rune's dictionary was > > published in 1942. > >I have the 15th edition which was published in 1964. But since Philosophy >is at least 2,000 years old, and most of the theories were developed in the >last 500 years or so, is the publication date really critical? >You asked me what metaphysics means. Webster's Collegiate notes that the >term was originally used to distinguish the writings of Aristotle that "came >after" his "physical works". It defines Metaphysics as "a division of >philosophy that includes ontology and cosmology". Does that make it any >clearer?
I've already stated that there is a relationship between philosophy and science. The last forty-five years of science has definitely had an impact on philosophical thinking in the West, especially ontology. At one time metaphysics was considered folly by many scientists and philosophers. Today its importance is having a revival. >Yes, I'm a "westerner", and my concepts reflect the Western view as >theorized by Plato, Plotinus, Eckhart, Cusanus, Hegel, Kant, Schopenhauer, >James, Merrill-Wolff, etc. Standard (not "static") definitions are >important in articulating philosophical concepts in a reasonable manner for >the western mind. I do not discount Eastern ideas that are relevant to my >philosophy, but it would be inappropriate for me to try to tailor it to the >precepts of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Shintoism, especially since they have >little relevance to my concepts. You've stated in another post that Essentialism is oriented toward the individual, but you're totally disregarding the metaphysics of other cultures? You're including only those who think and value like you? Valid philosophical thinking isn't unique to the Western mind. >Regards, >Ham Marsha Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
