Hello Arlo, On Nov 23, 2011, at 9:35 AM, Arlo Bensinger wrote:
> [Steve to Marsha] > Why would an MOQer even want to wield an SOM-laden term like "relativism"? It > is half of the old SOM Platypus, relativism/absolutism. It is a term based on > an SOM premise that we deny. It is just another version of the wrong-headed > question, "is the Quality in the subject or in the object?" > > [Arlo] > I was thinking the same thing. From my perspective, it seems some are bending > over backwards to hang on to the term "relativism", going so far as to select > very narrow, very indiscriminate definitions just to allow the word into the > conversation, almost as if its sacrosanct. Consider how much hostility and > energy is given to this every single day in this forum, over whether or not a > certain 'word', even redefined and reconceptualized, MUST be part of the > MOQ's lexicon. Marsha: And I might think some are bending over backwards, due to a cultural and personal bias, to reject a term, in its epistemological connotation, that is in common use within an Eastern explanation . Including the term help establish the bridge between East and West. imho. > > [Steve] > ...was becoming a serious problem in the multi-culty 90's (when Lila came > out), but morally paralyzed relativists are getting harder and harder to find > (thank goodness ... > > [Arlo] > Unfortunately, the pendulum is swinging back to other end of your SOM > platypus, absolutism, shown as unilateral exceptionalism, patriotism and the > view that "my" culture/society/ideas/choices/lifestyle is unquestionably, > undeniably, absolutely superior to everyone else everywhere in the world. If > we are abandoning "multi-culturalism", it is not because we are moving > towards appraising contexts and differing ways of life on a scale betterness, > we are simply saying "we" are in every possible way better than everyone > else. And I'm sorry if I don't think that's a good thing. > > When I lived in Chicago, I found the ethnic/cultural adherences both > fascinating and intellectually stimulating. Now back in central Pennsylvania > where, for all extent and purposes, there is nothing but cultural homogeny, I > am convinced that demanding everyone act/think/talk/look/behave like > 'everyone else' (whatever that means) is even more dangerous and stagnating > than the diversity that some are so appalled to see. ___ 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
