Re: MD Systematic about the Sophists (Kingsley)

From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Fri Mar 28 2003 - 13:16:35 GMT

  • Next message: Platt Holden: "Re: MD Intellectual Art (Ayn Rand)"

    Hi Johnny:

    P:
    > >To deny a distinction between myth and fact is to deny the ability of
    > >one's mind to distinguish between a fairy and a firefly, between a finger
    > >and the moon it points to, between a menu and a plate with a raison on it.

    J:
    > The "ability of one's mind to distinguish..." means interpret. "One's
    > mind" is the interpreter. As Sam said, there are no uninterpreted facts.
    > He didn't say there are no facts. Everything I know is a fact, in fact.

    P:
    To make a distinction between uninterpreted facts and plain facts
    doesn't contribute much to understanding because one is merely
    pointing out that mind and language is a part of any fact under
    discussion. What Pirsig points out, however, is the existence of a pre-
    conceptual reality or pure experience whereby the "fact" of the matter is
    known prior to identifying it as such. Further, this unmediated,
    unpremeditated, uninterpreted "fact" is a value judgment.

    P:
    > >Do you
    > >really challenge DMB's assertion that as a matter of undeniable fact
    > >"people do not come back to life after being dead for three days?"

    J:
    > People don't, but Jesus did, if you believe he did, anyway. Is there
    > anything you believe that you don't believe?

    P:
    Do you not make a distinction between belief and true belief, between
    myths and facts? If you don't, I hope your doctor does. :-)

    Platt

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