Re: MD When is an interpretation not an interpretation?

From: MATTHEW PAUL KUNDERT (mpkundert@students.wisc.edu)
Date: Sun Dec 07 2003 - 18:38:12 GMT

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    David,

    I still see the same stuff as I've been seeing: we basically agree. Our only difference is that you still insist on saying that the scientist asks nature questions as opposed to my insistence that nothing is lost if we don't describe the scientist as asking nature questions. Rorty's point is that everyone is everywhere and always in touch with nature. I think it is wrong to say, "Most of the time we can step aside." I don't see that we can. Where would you step to? It doesn't make any sense. With Rorty's bland conception of being "pushed around by nature," it also isn't a criticism to say, "When it comes to knowledge its alot more to do with us pushing nature around. We discover a lot by how nature responds to our promptings." Neopragmatists can only agree, except we hold back from the conversation model.

    When you say that scientists work in a different conceptual framework, pragmatists agree following in Kuhn's footsteps. Different disciplines have different matricies with which they conduct their business. But the only major difference between physics and literary criticism is that physics deals with what we call "rocks" and literary criticism with what we call "texts". We have found over the years that consensus on rocks tends to be very high, while consensus on texts tends to be low. Any differences in the specific techniques and methods used by the practicioners of the two disciplines flows out of their difference in subject material and purpose with respect to their subject material.

    I just still don't see the big difference. Let the scientists do what they do. The only thing we need to do is step in and pop their philosophical bubbles, because that isn't part of "what they do," that's part of what we do.

    Matt

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