12.17.2006

Part of the reason why...

... I had a 4:15 am bedtime last night... I mean this morning.

I had a never ending conversation with Rick about the limitations of post-structuralism and/or post-modernism. I couldn't convince him that you can take the lessons of it and move the fuck on. Really, there can be no ultimate answer, no "truth" as everthing we use to communicate those "truths" is based on language that is inherantly unstable and meaningless... that's just brilliant. I'm going to pack up my tent and go home now. On language and "knowables" within a culture.... R!: "So ultimately, its a matter of faith." Me: "No, it's a matter of acculturation and acculturation is not faith." My point that you must tie things to particular places and time did nothing to sway him. Balls! I hate arguing about the same thing and reaching similar conclusions but using different language (oh! the IRONY!). R!: "You got me drunk to talk about philosophy." Me: "I would never get anybody drunk to talk about philosophy. Oh, and by the by, you're just using language to blame shit on me."

3 comments:

Dolce Vita said...

The best way to talk about philosophy is when drunk. It is most productive that way. In fact, I am quite certain that the most esteemed philosphers have all been complete lushes.

And for what it's worth E - you were right.

another kind of nerd said...

Thanks V. You know I lack the philosophical fortitude to ever do really well in these types of discussions. But I held my ground.

Huzzah!

Rachel said...

I always seem to be on the losing end in these 'what does this word actually mean' sorts of battles. I really have no idea how many times I argued with Mike only to realize we were saying the same thing using different words. Most irritating. As far as your argument, I think you're both right, to some extent, depending on how you're attempting to find meaning after accepting there can be no absolutely knowable truth. heh. :)