That trap was cultural relativism...
On Sep 21, 2010, at 3:01 PM, david buchanan wrote: > > 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 ___ 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
