From: Mark Steven Heyman (markheyman@infoproconsulting.com)
Date: Wed Aug 04 2004 - 00:49:33 BST
Hi Mel, and all,
Thanks for the links re Emergence, and your other ideas, which will
take a little time to ponder. Two quick things for now:
1) IDEOLOGY
Main Entry: ide·ol·o·gy
Pronunciation: "I-dE-'ä-l&-jE, "i-
Variant(s): also ide·al·o·gy /-'ä-l&-jE, -'a-/
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
Etymology: French idéologie, from idéo- ideo- + -logie -logy
1 : visionary theorizing
2 a : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or
culture b : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an
individual, group, or culture c : the integrated assertions, theories
and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program
- ide·ol·o·gist /-jist/ noun
This is the complete listing from current Mirriam-Webster. I guess
2c comes closest to the definition you provide, though still nothing
about commitments or causes: IDEOLOGY - The body of ideas reflecting
the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or
culture. "American Heritage Dictionary" c 1973
My guess is that even in the 30-year old listing in AH, this is not
the primary definition. I see where one definition might have the
flavor you suggest, but not how rational discussion, even if
ideological in your sense, would have a negative effect in discussing
the MOQ or anything else.
2) ON CHOMSKY
I believe I've read most of what he's written, and heard or read most
of his interviews and debates. We're talking about THOUSANDS of
hours of material. I've never seen him respond to an argument with
ad hominem attack. NEVER. Once in a great while subtle digs and
insults have been traded off-point, often humorously, but never
instigated by him, and never in place of answering an argument.
Therefore it seems incredible that your one exposure to his thinking
would show him dodging an argument with ad hominem attacks. Do you
remember where and when you heard or read this?
Anyway, even if such an exchange exists (I highly doubt it), this
hardly seems reason enough to dismiss his quite remarkable
contributions to linguistics, cognitive science, and political
philosophy. My experience has been that people avoid what they
perceive as dissenting opinion for reasons of their own ideology, now
using the word in your sense. You and Platt Holden outta get
together and go bowling. ;-)
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Best,
Mark Steven Heyman (msh)
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