[MD] Ironistic Metaphysics

[John Carl]

On Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 9:05 PM, Matt Kundert
<pirsigaffliction at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
>
> What John wants to say is that metaphysics is whatever
> your assumptions are, which are the only things (aside from
> the logical apparatus) that enable you to deduce
> things--which, outside symbolic logic, means _think_ things.


Well no.  At least I would not term it that particular way.  There is a
difference between an assumption and a conclusion.  All conclusions build
upon some assumptive basis somewhere, but I define metaphysics in the normal
dictionary way of that which is concerned with the primary realities of
self, other and value - A study of roots, first causes, etc, which may be
formed by differing processes of reason, deduction or assumption.   When
this is unconscious, then there are assumed stances on the basis of these
primary realities and I assert that this unconsciously assumed stance is a
metaphysical stance.  A weak one, but nevertheless, metaphysical.

This is because apprehension of a self is the primary metaphysical step and
everybody who is anybody takes at least that first step and thus dabbles in
metaphysics.