From: David Buchanan (DBuchanan@ClassicalRadio.org)
Date: Sun Jan 26 2003 - 17:33:57 GMT
Rick and y'all:
> DMB says:
> The practical cash-value of a word? I don't really know what that means.
> Anybody care to explain that idea?
WILLIAM JAMES (from 'Pragmatism', 1907, chap.2)
The pragmatic method is primarily a method of settling metaphysical disputes
that otherwise might be interminable. Is the world one or many? - fated or
free? - material or spiritual? - here are notions either of which may or may
not hold good of the world; and disputes over such notions are unending.
The pragmatic method in such cases is to try to interpret each notion by
tracing its respective practical consequences. What difference would it
practically make to any one if this notion rather than that notion were
true? If no practical difference whatever can be traced, the
alternatives mean practically the same thing and all dispute is idle.
Whenever a dispute is serious, we ought to be able to show some practical
difference that must follow from one side or the other's being right.
RICK
I believe that when James speaks of the "cash-value" of a word, he is
referring to this "practical difference" that follows from holding a given
position. Of Pirsig, James would likely ask something like, "What is the
cash-value of the word 'Quality'?" or in other words "What do I gain from
believing in 'Quality'? If Pirsig couldn't point to some practical gains
that flow from a belief in 'Quality', James would probably lose interest.
DMB says:
Excellent. Thank you. That's about what I thought. The "cash-value" part is
just a way to emphasize practicality. BUT don't you think the MOQ has
practical vaule? I've used it to win money betting on the outcome of current
events and such. I've used it to literally garner cash. No kidding. I think
it works. I think its a very handy tool. I tend to believe that it works
because its true, at least in some sense of the word "true". This idea that
the sole test of an assertion is "practicality" is kind of superficial and
even tastes a little like nihilism. It seems kind of heartless and maybe
even evil. I mean, didn't the NAZIs find great practical value in the final
solution? Pragmatism seems to evade and ignore the issues and aspects of
life that strike me as the most important things. I mean, "practically"
speaking, music, art and fun have no value, yet people spend a great deal of
time and money in pursuit of their enjoyment. Pragmatism, YUK!
In any case, thanks for the clarity and for your time,
DMB
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