[MD] Rorty and Mysticism

[MarshaV]

On Nov 17, 2010, at 1:15 PM, Matt Kundert wrote:

> 
> Hey Ian,
> 
> Ian said:
> You said your problem is relating these two [mysticism-as-poetry 
> with mysticism-as-radical-empiricism] ... reconciling Dave's view 
> with yours. I was simply pointing out that Rorty has already joined 
> mysticism to experience for you. What (either or both of) you 
> should focus on was relating poetry to experience, in order to find 
> the common rhetorical ground.
> 
> Matt:
> Oh, I see: I guess I didn't see that as my problem.  I have no 
> problem reconciling Dave's view--or rather, radical empiricism--with 
> my own view.  Dave, however, does have a problem with my 
> reconciliation maneuvers (as he just expressed).
> 
> So, perhaps you're right, given what Dave just said about poetry, 
> though this isn't my problem but rather his: the problem is "radical 
> experience as poetry."  Poetry as the expression of human experience 
> is something like what Rorty meant, and Rorty's Davidsonian 
> definition of metaphor was as unintelligibility.  Combine the two, and 
> you have what Rorty meant about mysticism as a kind of poetry, about 
> mystical experience breaking up old ways of speaking.
> 
> Matt


Hi Matt,

I think poetry does reflect the mystical experience.  At least, far better 
than the blah, blah, blah philosophologizing about it, my own nonsense 
included, at least, thus spoke Zarasthustra.  And I don't think of Rorty, 
or those who find him interesting, as a fiercest enemy.  I hope you will 
say more for those who are interested in hearing from your literary 
perspective. 
 
 
Marsha 


 
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