Re: Epistemology, beware all ye who enter here - was RE: new to list

From: David G. McDivitt (dmcdivitt@yahoo.com)
Date: Wed Aug 29 2001 - 22:24:10 MDT


I do not agree with "base level axioms". Axioms or premises exist
because they remain functional and useful, only. Subjectivity has
nothing to do with it.

I hope you understand why I say realists are subjective. You think I am
subjective because you feel I may have whatever opinion pursuant to
whatever whim, driven of course by my own subjectivity. That may be so.
As a realist I feel you are subjective because you enter a situation
already having an opinion about what is real, and you may not expect
your own logic to provide fresh answers.

>From: Samantha Atkins <samantha@objectent.com>
>Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2001 00:39:26 -0700
>
>"David G. McDivitt" wrote:
>>
>> The essentialism/antiessentialism debate revolves around what an object
>> is. Is it the actual thing or is it a linguistic object and hence
>> abstract and conceptual? I think it is a fascinating debate. Realize
>> when humans talk about the sun, moon, and starts there are no such
>> things in a person's head. The cranium just isn't large enough. Words
>> must stand for and represent supposed objects. What we do then is
>> mentally assemble objects together.
>
>This does not follow. There is no need for the actual objects
>rather than perceptions and concepts of them, to be in our head
>in order for actual objects to exist in the world outside our
>heads.
>
>>
>> Givens however, can be questioned infinitely, qualified and requalified
>> again and again. How far is established not by the essential nature of
>> the given, but by the perseverance and will of the analyst, and at what
>> point he feels satisfied. That is a valuation.
>>
>
>So, you think base level axioms (irreducible givens) are just a
>matter of feeling? In short that they are wholly subjective?
>
>Sorry, but I really have limited time and patience for this kind
>of pseudo-philosophical treatment.

--
http://www.geocities.com/dmcdivitt

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