[MD] epistemological first musings - anthropocentric

[MarshaV]

Ham & John,

Please totally ignore me if you think you were going to get this anyway.

Thanks,

Marsha



>At 02:35 AM 6/13/2009, Ham wrote:
>
>>For whom is this "value teaching" of the universe intended?  Does 
>>it teach the planets, the molecules, the trees, or the genes of 
>>living organisms? Simple animals may "learn" from nature.  But only 
>>human beings can discern value in the design of the universe or 
>>create their own morality systems. This is why I agree with 
>>Protagoras that "man is the measure of all things" and that the 
>>universe is anthropocentric.  Evidently you do not.
>
>Greetings Ham,
>
>I am not interested in interrupting the flow of this dialogue, but 
>would like clarification of your use of the term 
>'anthropocentric'.   Here are three interpretations from an online dictionary:
>
>1.      regarding the human being as the central fact of the universe.
>2.      assuming human beings to be the final aim and end of the universe.
>3.      viewing and interpreting everything in terms of human 
>experience and values.
>
>Suddenly 1. & 3. seem obvious (empty, but obvious).  To state 
>otherwise would be to have knowledge outside of the human 
>experience.  2. seems strange, though, because of the 'aim and 
>end'.  Whose aim and whose end?  Since any such definition could 
>only be of human origin, the idea seems circular.  Aim and end are 
>like purpose which make them simply a human definition or outside of 
>human knowledge.
>
>Do you understand my puzzlement?
>
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>
>Marsha
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>_____________
>
>"He who neglects the present moment throws away all he has."
>   (Friedrich von Schiller)
>
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_____________

"He who neglects the present moment throws away all he has."
   (Friedrich von Schiller)