From: "E B Holtsmark" <laohu-AT-avalon.net>
Subject: Re: info request
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 1998 14:48:58 -0500


Hi!

Binary oppostions are a central feature of ancient Greek thought and deeply
imbedded in the structure of the ancient Greek language in a way I have
never found in any other language (I read about a dozen or so).  The
Pre-Socratics talked endlessly about it.  The best [imho] book (and a
fascinating one it is) on the subject is 'Polarity and Analogy' by G E R
Lloyd, a British classicist.  It should be in any decent university library.

I don't know it this is a universal, but I wouldn't be surprised:
left/right, top/bottom, back/front etc are all inherent features of human
beings.

Let me know what you are up to.

j

e b holtsmark (aka jack)    äran först och främst
laohu-AT-avalon.net              esse quam videri
                                             aien aristeuein
-----Original Message-----
From: Cristina Jo Thaut <ct84153-AT-ltec.net>
To: postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
<postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>
Date: Friday, August 07, 1998 4:31 PM
Subject: info request


>Is the idea of 'binary oppositions' a Western philosophical construct?  If
>so, who discusses this?  I am mentioning in a paper that the binary
>opposition-- universalism vs. cultural relativism--is something the 'West'
>has come up with (arguing that universal is not at all universal), but I am
>assuming.  Can anyone give me an actual cite for this idea?
>
>Thanks, Cristi
>
>
>
>     --- from list postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
>




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