[MD] The Relativist's journey

[david buchanan]

Marsha said:
 Since you want an actual question, how do you deal with this quote, about truth being relative, from the MoQ textbook? 


dmb says:

The question is not about whether or not I can deal with the quote, but HOW MANY TIMES have I already done so. Here's one of those times. This one was more than a year ago ...


 On Sep 21, 2010, at 3:01 PM, david buchanan wrote to Marsha:

... You are confusing relativism with the >>> provisional nature of truth. The pragmatic theory of truth rejects the >>> notion of an absolute truth or an objective truth but ideas are true or not >>> depending on whether or not they function in experience. There is a >>> practical and empirical test of truth in the MOQ. Anthony probably should >>> have used the word "provisional" in that sentence. That word really is a >>> better fit with the description of truth in his next sentence, as the best >>> explanation "at a given time". >>> >>> Charges of relativism got James into hot water but Pirsig says his MOQ can >>> adopt pragmatism and radical empiricism without falling into that trap. >>> It's a bad place to be, according to almost any philosopher. In ZAMM we see >>> how he takes sides with the Sophists, who he says were slandered as >>> relativists. Pirsig is consistent about this concern with false charges of >>> relativism against his main heroes and allies. >>> And yet here you are saying the MOQ is just that. >>> >>> Sorry, but the evidence is plainly against you. If you want to be a >>> relativist, that's one thing. But don't trash Pirsig's work.