Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 14:13:03 +0100
From: Heikki Patomaki <heikki-AT-nigd.u-net.com>
Subject: Re: BHA: Alethia, ontologised truth and violence


Continuing the discussion on truth with Colin:

Let me suggest the following clarifications:

	-truth = regulative metaphor of correspondence
	 to the way things/relations really are
	-truth-judgement = judgement about whether T
	 corresponds to the way things/relations really are

Thus truth is not the same thing as a truth-judgment;
any particular truth-judgment does not exhaust the truth
of the matter in question (for correspondence is only
metaphorical, and we accepts epistemological relativism,
and as a regulative metaphor truth makes us to search
endlessly for better descriptions and explanations).

To make sense of this we must presuppose a realist ontology
of a differentiated, layered and structured world. However,
truth is not to be found in the world; it is the world
we describe and explain, not truths. It is the world we
observe, experimentate with, or engage dialogically with
(depending on which layers we are interested in), not
the truths (except in the social world, and even there only
in a special sense). It is the evidence that this evidence
we gather from the engagement with world that we use in
making truth-judgements and criticising them. Otherwise
we would be confused by making statements like:

	"T is true because it corresponds to the truth".

This is obviously nonsensical.

On the other hand, there is no need for thinking in terms
of ontological/alethic truths. At best, this notion adds
nothing to our understanding. At worst, it encourages
dogmatism, sectarianism and violent actions.

>You surely aren't advancing the argument that simplicity is a good in and
>of itself. Truth just is complicated. What was it Sandra Harding said about
>simple theories in a complex world.....?

Surely, simplicity must be one of the many virtues. I agree with
Bunge's devastating criticism of simplicity (in "The Myth of
Simplicity") in the positivist practices. However, it
remains one virtue out of many. In the absence of other
considerations, it counts, of course.

>If the claim is (see p.26 of Plato Etc., for example) is that
>>the world determines truths (our propositions, models), is not this exactly
>>the ontic fallacy?

>Can you elaborate, the exact section you think he says this on. I see
>nothing on page 25 which makes this claim.

The footnote on p.26 is very complex and ambiguous, and certainly
open to multiple readings. It can be read also as a claim that
somehow "the alethic ellipse" -- which is ontologically grounded
-- will determine truths.

>The crux of these
>>arguments is simple: objective goodness and truth is simple a recipe for
>>all kinds of forms of violence.
>
>Why? I would have thought that (and can provide many such examples;
>although I fear they may be the same ones you wish to deploy) it is
>untruths masquerading as truth which takes us down this road.

I think this is a dangerous belief, for it lacks any
self-reflection on one's own practices, and because all
violence is born from the belief that it is the Others
who are the cause of all problems (injustices, violence,
suffering etc.). Why? This is too complex a problem to be
discussed here in depth, but it is related to the way how
identities are constructed via the notions of good, truth
and justice: identities are always relational, and typically
there is an Other corresponding to our goodness, truthfulness,
and justice, who is the opposite, possibly also explaining
the existence of the lack of these moral values
and virtues in the world... People like Arendt and Derrida
have scrupulously scrutinised how these mechanisms have
worked during the last 200 hudred years in different
contexts. After all, the 20th century has been the century
of violence, mass-murder and war.

I hope that CR will, at the threshold of new century,
will lead the way to radical emancipatory politics, but
totally in accordance with the culture of peace.

Many thanks,

			Heikki


PS. To Mervyn's point, I dare to advertise here the
new English edition of the Le Monde Diplomatique (which
is now published already in seven languages), which
declares in its new editorial letter "Taking a Stand"
that it will act as the model of journalism in
service of "democracy, justice and solidarity". All
the articles are excellent! In this country of ideologically
biased, anglo-centric, thoroughly commercialied garbage
-journalism, this is surely a very welcome thing! You
can order a free copy by sending an e-mail message
to:

	gillian.jevon-AT-guardian.co.uk



----------------------------------
Heikki Patom=E4ki,
Network Institute of Global Democratisation (NIGD)
Helsinki & Nottingham
e-mail: heikki-AT-nigd.u-net.com
tel: 	+358 -(0)40  - 558 2916 (GSM)
	+44 - (0)802 - 598 332  (GSM)

ALSO:

Department of International Studies
Nottingham Trent University
Clifton Lane
Nottingham NG11 8NS
The United Kingdom
e-mail: heikki.patomaki-AT-ntu.ac.uk
tel:	+44 - (0)115 - 948 6610
fax: 	+44 - (0)115 - 948 6385





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