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|  Message 177,347 of 178,659  |
|  Ross Finlayson to Ross Finlayson  |
|  Re: The Suspicious Journals of Ross A. K  |
|  30 Mar 25 21:49:54  |
 [continued from previous message] > That the classical thinkers were not trying to deny reality, > but were trying to understand it. > Sufficient, Thorough Reason: > The emphasis on "Sufficient, Thorough Reason" reinforces the > classical commitment to comprehensive and coherent explanations. > That the classical thinkers were attempting to create complete > systems of thought. > Inverse Primary Over Contradiction: > The idea that the inverse (induction) is primary over > contradiction suggests a willingness to embrace complexity and > ambiguity, rather than resorting to simplistic binary oppositions. > > Super-Scientific Omni and Supreme: > > Respect for the Transcendent: > The decision to leave notions of the Omni and Supreme as > super-scientific reflects a respect for the limits of human > understanding and a recognition of the transcendent. > This is a way of acknowledging that there are things beyond the > grasp of science. > Apophatic Approach: > This approach aligns with apophatic theology, which emphasizes > the limitations of language and reason in describing the divine. > > Post-Modern Constructiveness: > > Deconstruction as Structuralism: > Your assertion that deconstruction can be structuralist > challenges the conventional view of post-modernism as purely destructive. > It suggests that deconstruction can be used to reveal the > underlying structures of thought and language, paving the way for new > and more robust frameworks. > Post-Modern Not Necessarily Disfigurist: > The idea that post-modernism need not be disfigurist reinforces > the potential for constructive engagement with post-modern ideas. > Post-modern tools can be used to build, and not just to destroy. > > Mathematical and Foundational Apologetics: > > Foundations All the Way Down: > The concept of "foundations all the way down" suggests a > radical form of foundationalism, where even simple inductive > regularities are grounded in deeper, more fundamental principles. > This is a search for the ultimate foundations of knowledge. > Mathematical Apologetics: > This approach can be seen as a form of mathematical > apologetics, where mathematical and logical principles are used to > defend and justify philosophical and theological claims. > Using the tools of mathematics, to prove philosophical concepts. > Simple Inductive Regularities: > The idea that even simple inductive regularities have a deep > foundation, shows a search for a fully complete system. > > Overall Implications: > > This perspective offers a more integrated and nuanced understanding > of the relationship between classical and post-modern thought. > It emphasizes the potential for constructive engagement with both > traditions, seeking to build upon their strengths and overcome their > limitations. > It is a search for a complete, and coherent, system of thought. > > In essence, you're advocating for a sophisticated and integrated > approach to knowledge, one that draws upon the richness of the classical > tradition and the critical insights of post-modern thought. > > > > > Thanks GG. That's a reasonable way to put it. Comment on similar efforts > particularly of a sort of coherent, in the sense of internally coherent, > treatment of the language and the theory. > > > > > You're focusing on a crucial aspect: the pursuit of a coherent, > internally consistent treatment of both language and theory. This is a > challenging but essential goal for any comprehensive philosophical or > scientific system. Here's a reflection on similar efforts and the > significance of this pursuit: > > The Importance of Coherence: > > Internal Consistency: > Internal coherence is paramount for any theory. A theory that > contradicts itself is rendered useless. > This applies to both the formal structure of the theory and the > language used to express it. > Language as a Tool: > Language is not merely a neutral medium for conveying ideas; it > shapes and influences our understanding of those ideas. > A coherent treatment of language involves ensuring that the > terms and concepts used in the theory are defined precisely and > consistently. > That the language, does not create contradictions within the > theory. > Avoiding Ambiguity: > Ambiguity in language can lead to misinterpretations and > inconsistencies in the theory. > A coherent approach seeks to minimize ambiguity by providing > clear and unambiguous definitions. > Reflexivity: > A truly coherent theory must be able to account for its own > language and its own structure. > This involves a kind of reflexivity, where the theory can > reflect on itself and explain its own workings. > > Similar Efforts: > > Logical Positivism: > Logical positivists, such as Rudolf Carnap and A.J. Ayer, > sought to create a coherent system of knowledge based on logical > analysis and empirical verification. > They emphasized the importance of precise language and the > elimination of metaphysical speculation. > They attempted to create a language that perfectly reflected > reality. > Formal Systems: > Mathematicians and logicians have developed formal systems, > such as axiomatic set theory and formal logic, to ensure internal > consistency and coherence. > These systems provide precise rules for constructing and > manipulating symbols, minimizing the risk of ambiguity and contradiction. > Wittgenstein's Tractatus: > Wittgenstein's "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" is a prime > example of an attempt to create a coherent system of language and logic. > He sought to define the limits of language and to show how > language can accurately represent reality. > His later work, the philosophical investigations, shows his > change of mind regarding the possibility of a perfect language. > Spinoza's Ethics: > Spinoza's Ethics, attempted to create a fully coherent > philosophical system, that was built on axioms, and definitions, in the > same way that geometry is. > Modern type theory: > Modern type theory, as used in computer science, and > mathematics, attempts to build systems where language, and the theory > that it describes, are one and the same thing. > > Challenges and Considerations: > > The Limits of Language: > Language is inherently ambiguous and context-dependent, making > it difficult to achieve perfect coherence. > The work of philosophers like Derrida highlights the > instability of language and the impossibility of escaping ambiguity. > The Problem of Self-Reference: > Self-referential systems can lead to paradoxes and > contradictions, as demonstrated by Gödel's incompleteness theorems. > These limitations highlight the challenges of creating a fully > coherent system that can account for itself. > The Ongoing Pursuit: > The pursuit of coherence is an ongoing process, a continuous > effort to refine and improve our understanding of language and theory. > The goal is to get closer to a perfect system, even if > perfection is impossible. > [continued in next message] --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05 * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2) |
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