RE: MD When is an interpretation not an interpretation?

From: Paul Turner (paulj.turner@ntlworld.com)
Date: Fri Nov 14 2003 - 21:30:50 GMT

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    Hi Johnny

    Paul wrote to Matt:
    "I would suggest that there is nothing "useful" about identifying that
    the
    world causes me to have beliefs, the beliefs are useful or not on their
    own."

    Johnny:
    Actually I think this is very useful to realize, not only about your own

    beliefs but about other people's beliefs also. It connects us much more

    firmly to each other and to the world to recognize how the world causes
    our
    beiefs. Otherwise you could just think other people were stupid,
    instead of
    realizing that they have reasons for having their beliefs, and not feel
    any
    empathy or forgiveness for people, or humility.

    Paul:
    Okay. My point was more that pragmatists say they only hold beliefs that
    are useful and don't see the point in purely metaphysical claims. I was
    suggesting that as beliefs can be considered useful or not regardless of
    how they are "caused," pragmatists need not make such claims as "the
    world causes us to have certain beliefs" and thus leave metaphysicians
    to it.

    If you have demonstrated a practical use for such beliefs then my
    argument is a poor one.

    Cheers

    Paul

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