RE: MD No to absolutism

From: Jonathan B. Marder (jonathan.marder@newmail.net)
Date: Wed Jan 08 2003 - 14:04:32 GMT

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    Hi Platt and all,

    JONATHAN
    > IMO opinion, any "absolute" statement, such as Pirsig's
    > one about the doctor can be contextualized so that it or its
    consequences
    > become incorrect.

    PLATT
    Now that's an absolute statement if I ever saw one, so not to be
    believed
    because, as you say, it can be contextualized to become incorrect.

    JONATHAN replies:
    I agree that my statement might be regarded as absolute.
    I disagree that means it is "not to be believed". You, not me, are the
    one who believes in absolutes. Thus it is hypocritical of you to
    disbelieve absolute statements.

    My approach is to take my statement "in context". I believe that what I
    said is broadly true, but can imagine that it could be put into a
    context that renders it void.

    PLATT continued
    I know you recognize the self-contradiction in "There are no absolutes."

    We've been around this block before. In truth, the world is full of
    absolutes like "There's no way a doctor can bring back to life innocent

    victims killed by a terrorist bomber," a horror you have to live with
    everyday. Likewise, in most societies a terrorist bomber of innocent
    women and children is considered to be absolutely evil. Pirsig has now
    given us a rational basis for asserting the absolute evil of such
    behavior,
    a welcome checkmate to postmodern relativism.

    This is funny. You say "a terrorist bomber ... is considered absolutely
    evil", but preface it with "in most societies".
    Are terrorists absolutely evil, or does it depend on the society? Or
    does it depend on who is doing the "considering" and what they define as
    terrorism? Far from supporting your point, your example supports mine.

    I've nothing against taking a strong moral stand on terrorism and other
    issues.
    I just think it a pity to create inconsistencies by misplaced use of the
    word absolute.

    Jonathan

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