[MD] [Bulk] Re: Rorty's Relativism

[MarshaV]

Gav,

Phædrus has rejected an extreme form of ethical relativism.  But 'duty
towards self' is relative to self. There is nothing implied in relativism
that rejects assigning value to ones ethical choice. I may decide to take
this action rather than that action relative to it being more virtuous. 

If DMB is arguing against one form of extreme ethical relativism, he is not
being honest in the discussion.  There is the statement that I presented
that indicates RMP embraces the relativism of the sophists.  Maybe dmb can
offer his definition of relativism, if it just the anything goes type of
extreme ethical relativism, than I reject it too.  


 
 
Marsha  

  




-----Original Message-----
From: moq_discuss-bounces at lists.moqtalk.org
[mailto:moq_discuss-bounces at lists.moqtalk.org] On Behalf Of gav
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 7:15 PM
To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
Subject: [Bulk] Re: [MD] Rorty's Relativism

hi marsha,

Phædrus is fascinated too by the description of the motive of "duty toward
self " which is an almost exact translation of the Sanskrit word dharma,
sometimes described as the "one" of the Hindus. Can the dharma of the Hindus
and the "virtue" of the ancient Greeks be identical?Then Phædrus feels a
tugging to read the passage again, and he does so and then -- what's this?!
-- "That which we translate `virtue ' but is in Greek
`excellence."'Lightning hits!Quality! Virtue! Dharma! That is what the
Sophists were teaching! NOT ETHICAL RELATIVISM. Not pristine "virtue." But
areté. Excellence. Dharma! Before the Church of Reason. Before substance.
Before form. Before mind and matter. Before dialectic itself. Quality had
been absolute. Those first teachers of the Western world were teaching
Quality, and the medium they had chosen was that of rhetoric. He has been
doing it right all along."

that's where it is - the bit in capitals.

if quality is absolute it isn't relative


 
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