KARL JASPERS FORUM

TA31 (van Fraassen / Feyerabend)

Commentary 23 (to Dykstra)

THE CENTRAL ISSUE IS THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE
by Rob Weedon
7 November 2003, posted 9 November 2003

This is clearly the case when scientists -- defining themselves as such by 'doing science' -- endeavor to identify reality.

For the (putatively dis-)interested layman, however, 'getting on with one's life' occurs in an altogether different universe.

These two (if not myriad) are unlikely ever to meet. And perhaps it's just as well -- the one pursues 'reality' like a rider to hounds, the other strolls with the fox.

It's possible a kind of scorn divides them; for me, *that* would be the central issue.

Given our worlds are

subjective and projected,

they’re also moral

with the values we

ingested in utero

before we had words.

"I am one with all

existence, can trust, love, grow

wonder, understand."

Parturition slaps

us around a bit, but we

recover plenty

when we learn to ride

experience again as

featly as before.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rob Weedon