Chomsky on the Election

[arisbe]

"Kerry is sometimes described as 'Bush-lite', which is not inaccurate. But despite the limited differences both domestically and internationally, there are differences. In a system of immense power, small differences can translate into large outcomes."

An endorsement that might not help a great deal, and might even hurt. I am of two minds about it myself. Chomsky is for the welfare state and against the warfare state, and I have lost any ability to tell them apart. Chomsky would want an LBJ without the Vietnam. But Vietnams are what Great Societies do...

(Thanks to metaphorge for the link.)

Comments

[winegodeatsyou.livejournal.com]

1. Math works deductively and most mathetical proofs have circular answers and meet no stardards of empirical proofs. The concept of logic is not universal as logical development between south asia and Europe does not parrallel.

I think you are representing logic in a way that is more universal than it is and is very Platonic in view.

But "the proofs on which mathematics is built can be demonstrated and agreed to by all"

That statement is not true. infinity, for example, is consider a bane for math for bio-statistians who see it destablizing non-linear equations when applied to statistics. Two of my best friends are mathematians who disagree with several of the basic concepst of Elucidian geometry, about points, etc. There is no reconciling Elucidian geometry with non-Elucidain geometry after Descrates About the way negative numbers are used. Etc. Etc.

But these are based off of assumptions about the universe and the nature of abstractions in there relation to thought. You assume abstracts exist outside of the mind, I think they are consesus agreed upon. Neither position can be proven at this time. However, the the burden of proof is those who assert the positive, not the negative, unless it is a matter of faith. (IN this regard, I think most educated people are delluded, myself included).

Deductive thought methods are not discovered, they are invented and agreed upon.

2. I will be glad too, however, I will need to go back through "Rogue States" and "Power" to do so.

3. Okay, "collective political empowerment" is ahistorical. I favor minimum wages, but only with reservation and labor standards have never been universallly applied. But again, we are arguing two different things that have different views of the movement of history and debate here is pretty much useless. An ideologues view will not match a historists view--since they deal with what "will" happen, neither can be proven until everything is in ruins.