So even the natural sciences do not deliver Reality. They do tell us what physical reality is like, but they cannot tell us what metaphysical reality is like - or Reality - reality as it is in itself when no human, or only God, is viewing it. So I like Nelson Goodman’s notion of worldmaking. We fashion worlds that work to varying degrees of effectiveness and are constrained by the criteria we adopt or presuppose in the worldview. (There’s a critique of Goodman’s full-strength relativism by the philosopher Harvey Siegel that I still want to examine.) People confront us (and we confront them) with various world-fashionings, and we try to make sense, or take action, or make decisions or agree to disagree together. So Rorty emphasizes solidarity over objectivity. The important point is not that I am the one who has reality as it is, the important point is that however I see things, I’ll have to engage someone else and react to their reaction.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Science, Reality and Worldmaking: 4th Installment
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Yes, I like the Fromm quote. I’d just expand the last statement to include all living beings and the earth.
You say “people generally don't know what is good and what is detrimental.” I can see it both ways. In one way, people neglect what’s important in life, don’t know how to live a good life, (in America) are not aware or don’t care what the effects of their living has on the rest of the world and so we could say that they don’t know what’s good and what’s detrimental. But in another way, you could say that people generally do the basics to keep themselves and their families going. They function. Actually the latter way sounds pretty pitiful, maybe you’re were right in the first place.
“the greatest good is discovering what is good and what is detrimental.” A wise statement.
Your statement about Theravadin Buddhist practice doesn’t jibe with my experience of it. I don’t even remember learning the four elements. I did vipassana and it was very practice based; a focus on concentration practice and insight meditation and knowledge of the five hindrances and other practice helpers. It is quite enlightening to apply mindfulness to oneself in everyday life and see how we live driven this way and that by our thoughts and impulses. I had philosophical questions about the degree of directness of the Buddhist experience though.
I’d be interested in what you have to say about Wilber and systems theory. It might help me when I go over my chapter on his methodology.
Good to hear from you.
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