Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 12:50:58 -0600
Subject: Re: The Sublime


hugh:

I may be misinterpeting you, but a some level you seem to be implying
that each definition of the sublime is an idea in some philosopher's
mind.  

Aren't you simply restating what Wittgenstein once referred to as the
private language argument?

I don't agree with the notion that language is merely communication
striving for agreement as a kind of end-point, but I do believe language
is inherently social.

Don't these conversations help clarify our concepts in some way even as
we disagree?  

Are we really only self-contained Robison Crusoes on solipist islands
forever tossing hopelessly our sublime bottles into the sea? 

eric