[MD] Pragmatism

[Steven Peterson]

Hi Ron, Matt, all,


>Steve said:
>Some of the things you guys are saying have me confused. When my
>daughter asks me "is there REALLY a Santa Claus?" what do I tell her.
>
>Matt:
>You tell her, "no."
>
>Was there a problem with this answer that pragmatists should be able to
>give a response to?

Steve:
Iactually kind of meant it as a joke because Bo seemed to be suggesting that making a claim about how things actually are is SOM.



>Ron:
>I think a facet forgotten is that a child's mind is not an adult mind.
>Cultural norms, consistency, stability, and acceptance are all vital
>For a developing child. 
>
>Should you teach them about sex? Death? Most children are not mentally
>Prepared to deal with these "truths"  as we see them.
>Remember these are OUR understandings of these things.
>

Steve:
Good point. 

My daughter is only 2.5 and has really just learned about Santa. She isn't questioning it yet. I used to think that I wouldn't want to lie to my kids abot Santa, but now I do the Santa thing with her. If she does ask if there is REALLY a Santa Claus, I'll tell her that we were just pretending. At this point she doesn't know the difference.



Ron:
>Pragmatically, isn't truth a collection of verifiable beliefs?

Steve:
I think Pirsig through James defined truth as that which is good by way of belief.

I think it's good for young children to believe in Santa.


Regards,
Steve