Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 19:27:04 -0500
Subject: Re: PKF: Identification
From: robasso2-AT-juno.com (Robert Basso)


Wai,

I don't think you can sharply divide  "creation" and "accumulation" of
knowledge, at least functionally in the individual.  The great difference
is cognitively engendered in institutions or power contexts.  In the
individual it's just a cognitive expediency. 

I think we need to define ourselves, just not too rigidly or
ideologically.  If we don't do it, as you point out, others will try to
do it for us.  That's society. 

The crux of  the identity issue, in my opinion, is how a person
identifies himself  vs. how others might identify one against one's will.
 Ironically, according to what you said about validity Nazis were
"instrumentally validating" Jews according to their own on-off  "washing
machine" standard.

I think there are two very basic types of validity: instrumental (or
objective) and existential (or subjective).  They should be kept totally
separate and distinct at the risk of dehumanization, which Science has
brought about.


The real meditation is. . . the meditation on one's identity. Ah, voilą
une chose!!  You try it. You try finding out why you're you and not
somebody else. And who in the blazes are you anyhow?  Ah, voilą une
chose!
     --Ezra Pound



Robert Basso.


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