[MD] Wanted: A proper foundation
Ham Priday
hampday1 at verizon.net
Tue Feb 3 10:16:24 PST 2009
Craig --
Referring to my statement "Truth is relative to the individual," you ask:
> But on your view not relative to a particular individual,
> is that correct?
By "individual" here I mean proprietary cognizance. Since I define the
individual as 'value-sensibility', one's awareness of the world is an
objective representation of his particular values. Therefore, each person's
"truth" is relative to his unique value orientation or preferences.
Objective truth is always relational, not only to the individual observer
but also with respect to the properties and dynamics of experiential
existence as a cogent system.
This epistemology, incidentally, is not solipsism. We all know that 2 + 2 =
4 is truth, and that the sum of the angles of a triangle equates to a
straight line, and that a thing either exists or does not. "Universal
truths" such as mathematics and logic are also derived from essential value
and help shape our reality, although we may not be intellectually aware
(conscious) of all universal principles as truths or knowledge.
Finally, the truth about ultimate reality (Essence) is not bound by the
relationships of finitude, thus cannot be known by finite agents. That's
why metaphysics is theoretical and speculative. It's also why human beings
are "free to choose" what they accept as true or false, including the
"existence" of God or a primary source. That truth, like value, is relative
to the cognizant subject affords us the autonomy necessary for intellectual
and valuistic freedom.
I hope I correctly anticipated some of the questions this epistemology was
bound to raise. But I'll be happy to deal with others if you wish.
Thanks for your interest, Craig.
Essentially yours,
Ham
More information about the Moq_Discuss
mailing list