[MD] Progress in art?

[Ant McWatt]

Quoting Ant McWatt June 11th:

What I'm saying is that the opinions of talk radio DJs whether from the left
or right have little place in serious philosophy debate.  They do for
intellectual quality what McDonald's does for nutrition and employment
rights.

>Well, I guess one man's philosophy is another man's propaganda and 
>vice-versa.

That sounds like pluralism to me where truth is relative which again puts
you outside the MOQ (where various opinions and statements are graded on
their intellectual quality).  For instance, I highly doubt the intellectual
quality of the opinions of someone such as Rush Limbaugh is on a par with
philosophers such as F.S.C. Northrop or even Richard Rorty.

Platt then asked:

How do you "grade" intellectual quality other than subjectively, like 
paintings
in an art gallery?

Ant McWatt replied:

Ideally, in the same way you deal with the accused in a court of law.

Platt then asked June 11th:

What's the charge?

Ant McWatt comments:

Whatever you like.  It's the establishing of facts (i.e. the highest quality 
truths) on the basis of evidence and evaluating them by applying strict 
mathematical logic which is the critical concern here.  So if you're dealing 
with a "witness" (to the truth of a matter) such as Rush Limbaugh, I would 
highly doubt he has the same concern of world peace and understanding as 
F.S.C. Northrop did or an equally thorough research background to underpin 
his opinions.

As William James once (supposedly) said: "A great many people think they are 
thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."

Best wishes,

Anthony



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