No, that's exactly what I mean. You are confusing relativism with the provisional nature of truth. The pragmatic theory of truth rejects the notion of an absolute truth or an objective truth but ideas are true or not depending on whether or not they function in experience. There is a practical and empirical test of truth in the MOQ. Anthony probably should have used the word "provisional" in that sentence. That word really is a better fit with the description of truth in his next sentence, as the best explanation "at a given time".
Charges of relativism got James into hot water but Pirsig says his MOQ can adopt pragmatism and radical empiricism without falling into that trap. It's a bad place to be, according to almost any philosopher. In ZAMM we see how he takes sides with the Sophists, who he says were slandered as relativists. Pirsig is consistent about this concern with false charges of relativism against his main heroes and allies. And yet here you are saying the MOQ is just that. Sorry, but the evidence is plainly against you. If you want to be a relativist, that's one thing. But don't trash Pirsig's work. > From: [email protected] > Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:22:30 -0400 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [MD] Quantum Enigma > > > On Sep 21, 2010, at 1:33 PM, david buchanan wrote: > > > > > > > dmb says: > > That view is beyond relativism. It is solipsism. The MOQ is neither of > > those things. > > > Marsha: > Sorry, I missed this comment. Truth within the MoQ is relative. > > > Anthony writes: > “Intellectual values include truth, justice, freedom, democracy and, > trial by jury. It’s worth noting that the MOQ follows a pragmatic > notion of truth so truth is seen as relative in his system while > Quality is seen as absolute. In consequence, the truth is defined > as the highest quality intellectual explanation at a given time. > > RMP: > If the past is any guide to the future this explanation must be taken > provisionally; as useful until something better comes along. One can > then examine intellectual realities the same way he examines paintings > in an art gallery, not with an effort to find out which one is the ‘real’ > painting, but simply to enjoy and keep those that are of value. There are > many sets of intellectual reality in existence and we can perceive some > to have more quality than others, but that we do so is, in part, the result > of our history and current patterns of values. (Pirsig, 1991, p.103)” > > (McWatt,Anthony,MOQ Textbook) > > > > > ___ > > > 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/md/archives.html 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/md/archives.html
