MD Reply to Ian

From: Matt Kundert (pirsigaffliction@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue Jan 11 2005 - 02:52:14 GMT

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    Hey Ian,

    Usually if you take a Phil 101 class they’ll define the two traditional,
    major branches of philosophy as “Metaphysics: What is reality?” and
    “Epistemology: What is knowledge? or How do we know?” Epistemology, in the
    limited sense I am using it, simply demands an answer to the skeptic. So,
    when you answer the metaphysical question with, say, “Quality,” the question
    that seems to be begging to be asked is “How do you know?” Answer the
    question “What is reality?” with _any_ answer, and you will have to answer
    the skeptical follow-up.

    So, when you say, “I do believe that there is something like ‘pure’
    unmediated experience
    available to us,” the question you have to answer is, “How do you know when
    you are having a pure, unmediated experience?” And probably for whatever
    answer you give to that question, you will again have to give an answer to,
    “How do you know?” And probably again after that.

    Not to tip my hand, but you’ll probably have to answer that question ad
    infinitum. Which is why people like Sam and I suggest that there is
    probably something wrong with the original question.

    Matt

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