[MD] The Word is Not the Thing

[John Carl]

Actually, I believe there are only two mantras: yum and yuck.  But I think
you crafted an elegant reply, Arlo;  responded to Platt's barbs eloquently
and logically.
Yay Arlo!



On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM, Arlo Bensinger <ajb102 at psu.edu> wrote:

> [Platt]
> Ah yes, the familiar dodge of a loser -- the "you're stupid" slur.
>
> [Arlo]
> No, but if you think noticing a recursive paradox in language is some kind
> of "gotcha", then I really don't know what to say. You're playing a kid's
> game. Not to insult kids, mind you.
>
> Language is fundamentally recursive, and hence paradox laden. Pirsig, that
> Great Postmodern Mind, was aware of this. His statement "All this is just an
> analogy" is, when subjected to the same recursive analysis, a paradox.
>
> You could just as easily bemoan Pirsig's "profoundly incoherent" statement
> by saying, ""All this is just an analogy" except this statement. The
> postmodern mind at work."
>
> Or you could maybe fault that profoundly incoherent Pirsig for saying
> "Quality is undefinable", thus defining Quality.
>
> Of course, Pirsig and other "postmodern minds" would simply say "...
> INCLUDING this statement!" or make a nod to the incomplete-recursive nature
> of language as being, as Zeno found, always present.
>
> Next stop, rocket science!
>
> But my guess is you're not really interested in any of this, you're simply
> interested in trying to find a reason to attack me (and doing a poor job).
> So why bother?
>
> What say you, John, is this when you think I should just go "ohm....."???
>
>
>
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