[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting David M <davidint at blueyonder.co.uk>:

> Hi Platt
> 
> You certainly seemed to have changed the subject.
> What has that got to do with truth?
> 
> David M
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <pholden at davtv.com>
> To: <moq_discuss at moqtalk.org>
> Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2007 10:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [MD] Alternatives to the scientific method
> 
> 
> > Quoting David M <davidint at blueyonder.co.uk>:
> >
> >> Hi Platt
> >>
> >> I don't expect science to have any say about what values
> >> are best. Values differ, we have to learn how we can live together
> >> given our different values, this is the stuff of politics rather than
> >> science.
> >> We need intelligent ways to look at how to assess our different values.
> >> Pirsig's levels and notion of quality is one useful way to look at 
> >> values.
> >> Religion and secularism have their own ways of looking at values
> >> and that just arn't going to be ignored or overcome in a hurry.
> >> We need to get honest about our disagreements about values and
> >> stop pretending they have anything to do with truth and that anyone
> >> has any privileged access to some truth-values that are superior.
> >> Of course we can claim point to how our values relate to experience
> >> and reality but this is never going to make a decisive case.
> >> Of course, where we have values of autonomy and equality they are
> >> going to conflict with authoritarian and hierarchical values.
> >
> > Hi David,
> >
> > Wouldn't you agree that values of individual freedom and equality before
> > the law are superior to totalitarian government? I certainly think the 
> > superiority
> > of the former is decisive enough to risk my life to uphold it, as millions 
> > have
> > done in the past and continue to do today. Our ability to converse freely 
> > on
> > this site without fear is a direct result of the superiority of some 
> > "truth-
> > values" that others have risked everything to defend.
> >
> > Perhaps I have misunderstood your point.

Hi David,

Apparently I misunderstood your point. To clarify your statement for me, what
is a "truth-value?" Are not our values of "autonomy and equality" superior to
"authoritarian and hierarchical values?" Are these not "truth-values," i.e., 
related to "experience and reality?"

Thanks.

Regards,
Platt





 


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