Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 11:55:49 -0500 (UTC -05:00)
Subject: Re: dialectics


>     So, you do not think that dialectics constitutes
>a  "two-state logic"?  Well, just what does the "di"
>in "dialectic" stand for then?

No no no, this is false parsing of prefixes, the sort of thing that
led people in the '70s to talk about risque 'monokini' bathing suits,
as though the proper name 'Bikini' (atoll) had something to do
with two kinis.  It did not.

'Dia' in dialectic (not 'di';  are we somehow talking here about
two 'alectics'?) is from the classical Greek root meaning 'through.'
As in dialysis, dialect, diacritical, etc.  'Dialectic' itself means
conversational or 'dialogue-ic.'  The parts of a structure relate,
interact, 'converse,' rather than just sitting there marinating in
their essences.  Isn't this freshman-sophomore-level stuff?

>[....]  Or maybe you think that
>the synthesis makes it a three or more state logic?
>Barkley Rosser

The principal of my Republican grade school, the sainted Miss
Opal Jayne Kennedy, taught us in about 4th grade about the dreaded
dialectical materialism:  thesis, antithesis, synthesis, all that stuff.
I hope we don't have to stay trapped that level of analysis.

It's not my intention to get involved in flame wars, and maybe
the smart thing to do would have been to walk away from this
discussion, but somehow this pushed some of my buttons....  Sorry.

Christopher Gunn                Molecular Graphics and Modeling Laboratory
1k1mgm-AT-kuhub.cc.ukans.edu       University of Kansas
Phone: 913-864-4428 or -4495    Malott Hall
                                Lawrence, KS  66045




     --- from list marxism2-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---