[MD] suspended in language

[Steven Peterson]

Hi Arlo,

> [Arlo]
> You see, Steve? Platt just can't seem to understand this. I feel bad making
> his neural capacitors overheat. Frankly, I'm surprised this is such a
> conundrum for anyone here, but hey...

I think I have to be careful to avoid with how I promote
anti-essentialism and anti-foundationalism so as to not sound as
though I am just supporting some other foundation or claiming to have
uncovered the real essence of truth, so I didn't mind Platt forcing me
to make myself clear.


[Platt asked Steve]

Finally, do you agree with Pirsig's assertion: "Cultures can be graded
and judged morally according to their contribution to the evolution of
life." (Lila, 24)


[Arlo responded]
I always find it fascinating that those who are most motivated to
"grade" things, are those that would always rank themselves "number
one".

Nonetheless, this assertion is quite problematic

I said:
"I don't think Pirsig is suggesting that we set up a rating scale for
ranking cultures...

I think Pirsig's intent in this statement is to deny relativism as the
claim that talking about moral truth only makes sense with respect to
a specifc culture and whatever can be justified within a given culture
is actually true for that culture. For the relativist, truth (ethical
and scientific) is reduced to justification."

Do you agree or disagree with my interpretation of Pirsig's assertion?
Do you still see it as problematic in light of my explanation?

Best,
Steve