[MD] Alternatives to the scientific method

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting ian glendinning <psybertron at gmail.com>:

> Hardly ;-)
> 
> So nothing in particular - difference for it's own sake - another
> binary argument ?
> Nothing that those differences specifically adds to a better
> understanding - of MoQ or anything else ?
> 
> As I say I found Rand very "irrational" and totally lacking in any
> analysis or "insight". An understandable reaction af a Russian emigre
> to her erstwhile homeland "communism" in her new-found home of
> "capitalism". One extreme considered only in the light of an opposing
> extreme. So one dimensional and childishly simplistic (and dangerously
> mis-informed / ignorant of significant wider experience) - capitalist
> freedoms good - state interference bad - Doh !
> 
> Did it need a million words and a dozen books to express that ?
> Socrates, Bacon, Hume, Mill and many more ancients ... the qualities
> of freedom and responsibility are not new concepts ... the difficult
> bit is where values indicate limits to absolute freedom .... where the
> rubber meets the road of real life.

Obviously we have a difference of opinion as to value of Rand's work. The fact
that her books keep selling at an unusual rate for a philosopher tells me 
she speaks to a need among the populace looking for guidance. As for absolute
freedom, if you had read her material carefully you would know she is in favor of
forbidding the initiation of force by anyone on another. But, there's little to
be gained by pointing out such things since your mind is made up about the
folly of applying her principles to "real life." So be it. You may be right. 

> Dennett is just one of many pragmatic philosophers (James most
> obviously, but many) that can "add" to an understanding of Pirsig's
> attempt at Darwinian evolutionary framework of values and the
> processes by which conflicting demands are dealt with..

I will reserve judgment on Dennett until I read the book you recommended.
But, as you know, Pirsig is not all that enamored of the Darwinian explanation
of evolution. I presume Dennet would laugh at Pirsig's "moral" explanation.

Platt


> On 8/14/07, pholden at davtv.com <pholden at davtv.com> wrote:
> > Quoting ian glendinning <psybertron at gmail.com>:
> >
> > > Nice try Platt, I've done plenty of Randian research on the subject
> > > .... the publishers of her books sell her philosophical resources
> > > pretty hard .... hard to ignore.
> > >
> > > In your own words, why did YOU recommend "Atlas Shrugged" to a MoQ'er
> > > - what relevant message did YOU want ME / US to get ? I remain at a
> > > complete loss.
> >
> > Simple. Because it gives a different and often opposing worldview to the
> > MOQ in highly rational form, worthy of intellectual consideration by anyone
> > interested in philosophy. If this forum was merely a hosanna to Pirsig's
> > metaphysics, I would have departed long ago. It is the arena of ideas that
> > interests me, and I find Pirsig, Rand, James, Paglia, Ham and many
> > others to have interesting insights into how the world works, just as you find
> > Dennett and I'm sure others to be of value to you.
> >
> > Hope this sufficiently answers your question.
> >
> > Platt
> >


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