From: hampday@earthlink.net
Date: Sat Mar 19 2005 - 22:08:36 GMT
Hi Matt --
I don't insist that philosophers provide answers to all questions, but I
can't see how any philosopher can (or would want to) avoid epistemology.
Unless I've been hallucinating for the last two years, all the discourses on
Intellect and the kind of data classifiable as knowledge that have been
going on here attest to the fact that
epistemology issues are a principal concern of this august group. Are you
saying they are of no concern to a pragmatist?
I checked "epistemology" in my trusty Runes Dictionary to learn that J. F.
Ferrier (Institute of Metaphysics, 1854) was the first to use the term and
to distinguish it from "ontology" which Runes calls "the science of the
essence of things". Platt recently quoted Pirsig to me from the Copleston
notes as saying "Ferrier's first move is to look for the absolute starting
point of metaphysics in a proposition which states the one invariable and
essential feature in all knowledge, and which cannot be denied without
contradiction. For the MOQ this is, 'Some things are better than others'."
For me, epistemology and ontology are the twin cardiac chambers of
philosophy, and I care much less about the socio-cultural issues that
consume what's left of the space in this forum. I'll admit this may be a
shortcoming on my part, as several have tried to impress me with the notion
that philosophy means nothing unless "we can do something with it" -- one
even suggesting that it lead to a Marxist type revolution. I suppose that
is the pragmatic perspective.
Considering your narrow view of philosophy's mission, I also regret that we
won't have the benefit of your intellectual discernment in resolving the
epistemological holes left by MoQ's author.
Although I consider it a great loss that you've chosen to dodge the issues
of major interest to me, I've enjoyed this brief discussion and wish you the
best in your efforts to "reconstruct" Pirsig's philosophy in a way that
avoids the metaphysical ambiguity. I hope you have more success in this
endeavor than Paul Turner and Anthony McWatt, both of whom recently
undertook similar projects.
Incidentally, I wouldn't even begin to try to convince the MOQers that they
are too traditional, but I will check out your "Confessions of a Fallen
Priest" as soon as I can find the time.
Best regards,
Ham
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
Mail Archives:
Aug '98 - Oct '02 - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
Nov '02 Onward - http://www.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/summary.html
MD Queries - horse@darkstar.uk.net
To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sat Mar 19 2005 - 22:48:51 GMT