The Function Of Belief

[bob x]

Is it Groundhog Day, again?

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by Paladin

what goes good with green beer?

Green eggs and ham?

Chris

[Paladin]

Okay, wonderful work guys, here's the next question: is the concept of "meaning" arrogant?

[China Cat Sunflower]

It depends on the application. To parse meaning down to something immutable and non relative we would have to get back to the point where signs, or symbols, can be exchanged one for one with what they represent. Even if that were theoretically possible it would absolutely destroy civilization as we know it. Meaning is a floating, abstract concept. To insist on specific, unitary, finite meaning is, then, the height of arrogance. Conversely, to slip into utter relativism is to cultivate terminal impotence. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

Chris

[Paladin]

I don't think there is any chance that the bulk of humanity would come to the conclusion that meaning is relative and anthropocentric, it's enough for most people to flick on the tube and be entertained while remaining blissfully unaware of reality as it is.

I really like the way you can see the sociological impact of philosophical inqury though Chris, it adds so much to a discussion, thank you!

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Paladin

is the concept of "meaning" arrogant?

I think the search for meaning ultimately futile, but its a fun thing to play with.

tao

[flowperson]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Okay, wonderful work guys, here's the next question: is the concept of "meaning" arrogant?

Only to the extent that "certain" meanings are emphasized over others by their advocates. The "arrogance" factor relates directly to the human(s) advocating certain meanings and just how that is accomplished.

flow....

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Paladin

here's the next question: is the concept of "meaning" arrogant?

What's up, can't you be ***** to start new threads any more?

s.

[flowperson]

Synchronicity strikes again !

flow....

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

What's up, can't you be ***** to start new threads any more?

s.

Take it easy yer honor sir, I intends ter show all these here questions are what ya call inter-related

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by flowperson

Synchronicity strikes again !

flow....

Yeah, we nearly had a cyber crash!

s.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Take it easy yer honor sir, I intends ter show all these here questions are what ya call inter-related

As long as you're not leading the Witnesses. I'm getting impatient at the lack of clear relevance to the charges.

s.

[China Cat Sunflower]

What attracts me to post modernism and deconstruction is its emphasis on looking at movement on the surface without buying into the supposed hierarchies of meaning beneath. I don't care so much about meaning itself, I'm more interested in how it's constructed because that's the secret back door out of the echo chamber. That's how you get behind the curtain.

Chris

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

As long as you're not leading the Witnesses. I'm getting impatient at the lack of clear relevance to the charges.

s.

Okay Snoopy, just for you, the entire thread can be summed up by an extremely bad old joke:

Doc! My brother thinks he's a chicken!
Well, bring him by the office and I think we can help him.
I would Doc, but we need the eggs.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

What attracts me to post modernism and deconstruction is its emphasis on looking at movement on the surface without buying into the supposed hierarchies of meaning beneath. I don't care so much about meaning itself, I'm more interested in how it's constructed because that's the secret back door out of the echo chamber. That's how you get behind the curtain.

Chris

Chris, if you feel so inclined, I would love it if you expanded on these ideas. Especially on the idea of the secret back door, and what you see the echo chamber really is. Quite intriguing!