From: abahn@comcast.net
Date: Sat Sep 06 2003 - 21:25:29 BST
Hi Matt,
I am in complete agreement with you about Scott. The intention of my response
to Squonk was meant to be a compliment to Scott and also an admission of the
possibility that I have could be wrong in every point I have I made to Scott in
conversation. Only a possibility, though. Just a possibility... yea. I might
be right... I think, I might. I did say that it was all relative didn't I.
Well, for Pete's sake, I am being a little wishy washy, I know, but I don't have
the wherewithall to go toe-to-toe with Scott (How do I get myself out of this
mess---anyone, helppppppp). How 'bout them Yankees then? Do you think they'll
win the pennant? :-)
Andy
> Andy, Scott,
>
> Andy said:
> No disrespect intended to Scott, in fact I don't blame him for not continuing to
> engage you in conversation, but I still like this post.
>
> SQ: "I have tried to engage Scott but it's not been easy. The door was slammed
> in my face, in the same way that anyone who lives in fear slams the door
> against a perceived threat. The basis of this threat is to social status; if one
> feels admitting one is in error is to lose social status, then one may be driven
> to climb increasing heights of absurdity to defend the indefensible. It may be
> that such an individual eventually ends up on the top of Everest?"
>
> I have to admit I have felt the same way in my conversations with Scott, but I
> also have the feeling he may end up on top of Everest. Then it would be I, down
> below, looking up from the social level.
>
> Matt:
> You could have just as easily have replaced Scott's name with mine and Squonk's
> accusation would not have changed. Now, I have not followed Scott and Squonk's
> exchange. I do not know the particulars, or even the generalities. But from my
> conversations with Scott, I do know he is intelligent and well-thought, even if
> he is way, way too far out for me. Sqounk's accusations are the same he tried
> pasting on me: ohh, look at this guy. Just out for recognition and afraid of
> losing friends.
>
> Unlike some people, I don't think such ad hominem speculations are out of court.
> I've read my Nietzsche and Freud and I agree with them. However, as fun and
> sometimes illuminating as it is 1) I don't think you can quite procure enough
> evidence from this e-mail list for such speculations to actually hold any water,
> instead they turn into a smear campaign and 2) looking at the evidence that is
> procured, I can't say that I've noticed anything of the kind that Squonk has
> said in Scott. I'll let others judge for me.
>
> What I like about Scott is his understanding of metaphilosophy. Scott and I
> circle each other because there's really nothing else we can do on certain
> topics, but we do exchange meaningful words. And we both understand this. We
> communicate and refine each other's opinions about the other. I don't find this
> with many other people here. They think Scott and I are being irrational and
> defeatist, spiraling out towards absurd views. Well, part of holding a position
> is making sure you realize its consequences. Absurdity is achieved when one
> belief is in tension with another belief in your web of beliefs. Its a clear
> sign of incoherence. You have two options when this happens: 1) Choose the old
> belief or choose the new belief. From the angle of people who choose that new
> belief, watching a person choose the old one is like watching a person shrink
> back in fear of something distasteful. From the angle of people who choose that
> old belief, watching a person choose the new
>
>
> one is like watching a person go insane. (The Pirsig connection should be
> clear.) Today's absurdities are sometimes tommorrow's common sense.
>
> Matt
>
>
>
>
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