[MD] MD 4th level - The more autonomous level

[Platt Holden]

Hi Mike,

> The origins of language are murky, to put it mildly. While I agree
> that no "committee" could have invented language, it would be absurd
> to think that any individual could have thought to himself "I'm going
> to utter the first word now" or "wouldn't language be a handy thing".

I agree. Before she invented the first word, she had no words to think 
with.

> Would you at least be comfortable with the idea that, seeing as
> language (and hence the meanings that furnish our individual
> consciousnesses) is passed on socially, from one generation to the
> next, there is a great deal of overlap between the consciousness of
> each member of a society?

I agree there is overlap in the content of consciousness of each 
individual, though the content for me is not exactly the same as the 
contents for you or the man behind the tree or anyone else. Each of us is 
unique that way. We share a common understanding of the word "dog," but 
you may have in mind a collie while in my mind is a bassett hound (a noble 
animal). 

> I'm not asking you to agree with me that the
> individual differences in consciousness come LATER than these shared
> elements, but surely you can agree that these shared elements exist?
> Without these shared elements, we'd have no hope of communicating at all,
> and these words would be totally meaningless to you, rather than merely
> being contentious!

Well said. It takes two to tango. But one leads the way.

Best,
Platt