Tory/Doug/Glen/Merle/Frank/et alii -
Let me just strike a pose here (formerly known as going on a rant):
I find Doug's comment violently disinteresting and look forward to
participating in a never-ending spiral (feels somewhat circular but
actually gets somewhere) discussion of causality, complexity, and the
philosophy of language, thought, and reality.
It is good to hear your "voice" here again Tory... and I hope somehow
the challenge of non-E, non-W, non-M models of Life, the Universe and
Everything ( sorry, I know Doug Adams was E, W ,M, but he's the only one
who ever actually came up with a simple answer, definitely not vague,
assuredly wrong, but what the hey!). And while we are at it, we might
be able to work in some non-Elephant zoology! Kali is always my "go
to" for non-WME references.
I like the idea (Glen) that communication (at least partially) fills the
niche of physical grooming. Certainly (nod to Merle's comment) a great
deal of Facebook "communication" appears to be roughly mutual grooming
(and preening). I notice it most when I feel the urge to "nit pick"
other people's ideas or commentary.
I did start in on your book chapter Frank, but of course, Google Books
didn't offer me enough continuous pages and I think Russ got the last
copy from Amazon!
- Steve
Victoria Hughes wrote at 03/26/2013 11:27 AM:
1. The discussion also references non-European, non-white-male models for
awareness, reality, conceptual modeling, etc.
2. The discussion does not devolve into intellectual posturing.
This reminded me of the Ulam quote:
"Talking about non-linear mathematics is like talking about non-elephant
zoology." -- Stanislaw Ulam
I willingly admit my ignorance. But honestly, is there _any_ philosophy
that is not, ultimately, intellectual posturing? ;-) Or, further, is
there any speech/verbiage whatsoever that is not, ultimately,
intellectual posturing?
I heard from somewhere a speculation that the emergence of human
language replaced (to whatever extent) grooming. If that's at all true,
then I suppose there is some speech ... pillow talk, platitudes, or
perhaps lyricism/poetry that is as much about physics (soothing and
communion) as it is about the ideal of communication or intellect. And
I suppose one might believe (act as if) the expression of an ideal (an
intellectual artifact) via words is somehow authentic as opposed to
posturing. But, when I examine my own behavior in the light of what I
observe from others and vice versa, it's quite difficult to distinguish
between the former (authentic expression) and the latter (posturing).
But, I also admit my gullibility and naivete.
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