[MD] What does Pirsig mean by metaphysics?

[Steven Peterson]

Hi DMB,


Steve said:
Consider the following passage and see what a "relativist" Rorty is. You'll
recognize the last sentence since you quoted it before, but in context it is
a denial of relativism:

> dmb says:
>
> Okay, now you're starting to freak me out. Where you see a denial of
> relativism, I see a confession of relativism. And yes, the confession comes
> in the last sentence. "I'm just as provincial and contextualist as the Nazi"
> is the groundless part and "I serve a better cause" is the social hope.


Steve:
Do you disagree with this passage or do you just think philosphers shouldn't
admit such things? Are you asserting that there actually is a
philosophical foundation that can be appealed to? Or are you saying that
philosophers shoudl still be in the business of trying to find such a
foundation?


 DMB:

> That's what's ironic about the liberal ironist, see. He knows there is no
> ground, no basis for his liberal beliefs except his own provincial context
> but he joins in solidarity with others of the same tribe to serve the cause
> anyway.


Steve:
Are you different from a liberal ironist in this regard? Since you also
claim no ahistorical foundation I can't see how.


DMB:

> I mean, such a reading of this passage is only consistent with other Rorty
> quotes, no? In any case, I definitely don't understand how this can be read
> as a denial of relativism. Please explain.
>


Steve:
Rorty is saying here that all perspectives are not equal, which is exactly
what you said was lacking in Rorty's philosophy: "we liberal teachers no
more feel in a symmetrical communication situation when we talk with bigots
than do kindergarten teachers talking with their students."

Best,
Steve