JON:>
> "I'm now pretty sure that this SOL=intellect idea will not pan out. I now
> see that SO isn't a system of logic at all, but an ontology - what is
> "objective" is real, what is "subjective" is not real."
RICK:
Without commenting on the SOL= Intellect idea I'd like to suggest that your
summary of S/O seems a bit misleading.... that is, depending on what you
meant by "real". Subjective phenomena are quite real. Blue is REALLY my
favorite color I REALLY don't care for brown, I REALLY like the taste of
bacon and I REALLY don't like ham, I REALLY like the Beatles and I REALLY
dislike the New Kids on the Block, etc... these feelings are quite real, I'm
not lying about them, I REALLY feel them.
I think the "subjective/objective" Ontology that you are getting at would be
better represented by the terms "Quantitative/Qualitative" rather than
"real/not real".. Objective things are quantitative (measurable),
Subjective things are Qualitative (not measuable)....
JON:
"This is the
> ontology of academia, the ontology of our age."
RICK:
Unfortunately it really is.... and primarily quantitative things (science,
math, etc) are just so much easier to teach than primarily Qualitative
things (rhetoric, painting, peotry, etc.).
JON:
"The logic of our age is
> the dialectic."
RICK:
Umm.. I don't know about this. First off, "dialectic" is not logic. I
suggest you consult Aristotle's Organon for deatails on this distinction---
Dialectical/Rhetorical reasoning (which relates to the probable) is the
counterpart of Formal Logic (which related to the certain).
Dialectic is simply a discussion between two parties in which both sides
impartially and honestly seek the truth. It is the counterpart of "debate"
in which opposing parties defend preordained theses in an attempt to defeat
their opponent's position ....
I think the problem these days is the deadly combination of Formal Logic and
Debate---- Formal logic makes people feel "certain" about what they think
they know, Debate allows them to partisanly defend this "knowledge". It
creates a uncomfortable atmosphere in which everyone thinks they know best
and argues to defend... rather than a dialectic in which we all bring what
we know to the table and try to honestly sort out the BEST answers...
All good,
Rick
Rick
MOQ.org - http://www.moq.org
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