Joe, I'll try to explain it simply.
In a reality which operates according to actual laws of nature usefulness means something actually works. To actually work it must in accord with the actual laws of reality.. Edgar On Jul 11, 2013, at 6:14 PM, Joe wrote: > Edgar, > > quoting: > > "Usefulness is a criterion that something IS real." > > That is a specious remark. > > Consider, instead, that it all depends on ...Humans. > > NOT "The World"! > > Wittgenstein -- for what he's worth -- asserts and reminds us in his > TRACTATUS, that: > > "The World is all that is the case." > > (but that's viewing it from the realm of thought, only). > > Going backwards, for example, consider: > > Boolean Algebra was pretty *USE*less, until other Humans found a use for it. > > Your cognitive theory and practice of Zen is limited to the realm or > applicability of thought, or other cognition. But Zen has nothing to do with > that. Except that it subsumes it. You appear unfortunately to working only on > a special case, and barking up a tree without bark. > > Limiting, and limited. > > But, have at it. And, you *may* have it. > > Your pragmatism is good as near as it goes, but I like Charles Peirce's > instance of it much more, because he does not cloud it with associations with > Zen, or with anything else. He is clear. > > And, I like Zen's emphasis on practice and awakening, because it naturally > has no dependence on linear or associative thought: instead, it is founded on > realization, awakening, and the recognition of regaining our original Human > inheritance. No small matter, nor distinction. > > These are personal preferences of good taste and correct practice, though, > and I mean no disrespect in dismissing your views as in any way touching upon > our topic of Zen. > > I'm glad, too, that we are friends. I like having friends who span the > spectrum of Human fallibility. > > --Joe > > > Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote: > > > > Bill, > > > > Usefulness is a criterion that something IS real. Usefulness means it's in > > synch with the actual logic of the world of forms and thus IS accurately > > part of reality... > > > > Edgar > >
