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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epicure who wrote (12254)	4/24/2001 12:07:18 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Objectivity does not equal compulsion. The fact that humans are fallible, or that knowledge is, in part, cumulative and social, is not proof of the subjective nature of reality, but claiming that reality is subjective is one possible way to respond to it. At this point in our development, it is unconvincing, though, since we have been the beneficiaries of so much accumulated knowledge, and knowledge is much more useful than ignorance. I am glad that the understanding of physics advanced enough to allow the invention of satellites and computers and televisions and so forth. Modern medicine is much more effective than leeching, due to increasing the store of knowledge about anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and so on. In the ethical sphere, the norms and institutions of liberal democracy have proven to be good for the health of society, promoting both stability and innovation, and encouraging a character type which is both self- reliant and public spirited. In the aesthetic sphere, there has been considerable interest and enthusiasm for art created within a different historical context, and the discovery that Western ideas of beauty do not differ all that much from Eastern, or that primitive art can be appreciated for its expressive power. Similarly, many of the literary objects most valued in diverse cultures have translated well between cultures: people in the West like the Tales of Genji, and the Japanese like The Brothers Karamazov. There is simply too much agreement, especially after a high degree of exposure, to suppose that we are all off in our little worlds. So, one can choose to emphasize fallibility and disagreement, or one can choose to emphasize progress and commonality.......