And while I am reading the book as part of a Stylistics course to improve my writing and while I found the first half of the book quite laborious, things have picked up in the second half but not relative to improving my writing, rather this second-half hotness relates to (gulp) truth.
[Woman Screams]
"What did he say!"
[Child Cries]
"Dad, I'm scared!"
[Sirens Wail]
"Objectivism shot, repeat, objectivism shot! Get an ambulance down here!!!"
Yes folks, objectivism, the idea that there is an absolute truth, non-relative to anything, especially kooky humans, took one right in the chest at point blank range.
From the authors:
A statement can be true only relative to some understanding of it.
Understanding always involves human categorization, which is a function of interactional (rather than inherent) properties and of dimensions that emerge from our experience.
The truth of a statement is always relative to the properties that are highlighted by the categories used in the statement.
Categories are neither fixed nor uniform. They are defined by prototypes and family resemblances to prototypes and are adjustable in context, given various purposes.
Ah, objectivism, we hardly knew ye.
But, don't fret, don't get your panties in a bunch (unless you enjoy that sort of thing), don't pull your money from the bank, because deep down in places you don't talk about at cocktail parties, you know objectivism isn't true. You know relativism is the case and you don't mind one iota because if you did mind, you couldn't operate in this world.
You certainly couldn't drive in Massachusetts where objectively true driving laws, designed to keep us relatively (see what I did there?) safe, are completely and in all ways thoroughly and objectively violated every god damned second.
They just pull out into the middle of the road! And do you know why? Not because the road is clear - it isn't - not even close. They pull out because they are tired of waiting.
Mid-westerners with a sense of decency and oh I don't know, respect for the law, have trouble adapting to this kind of driving.
When I arrived in RI I advised my brother of this sort of thing and he was dubious.
Fair enough.
He visits.
We drive and what does he see: someone pull out without the right of way.
IN FRONT OF A COP!
But...
wait for it...
The cop doesn't do anything!
Why?
Objectivism isn't tenable.
Relativism is our sitch (short for situation).
If you don't like it, lump it.
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