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Killconey · 03-01-2005, 09:42 AM

I've been reading Richard Rorty's Contingency, irony, and solidarity for a class on Postmodernism and I find his ideas on language, truth and ethics intriguing. According to Rorty, we invent truth because truth needs to be described. In order to describe something, you need a vocabulary and we humans create the words that go into those vocabularies. Words like "truth" and "ethics" can often be inefficient because their meanings are so vague and subjective.

Thus, I think that one of the main problems with finding a universal system of ethics is the fact that, despite posted dictionary definitions, most people do not view ethics in the same light. A devout fundamentalist sees the word ethics and thinks that it means following the will of God. A rebellious athiest sees the word ethics and thinks that it means a system of hinderances placed on free will. Someone more middle of the road might see ethics as what it takes to be a good person. Regardless, a universal system of ethics cannot be achieved until we work out the best way to discuss it.

Sadly enough, Rorty doesn't seem to think that such a day will ever come and I can't think of any way to change the way we communicate enough to bring it about.

03-01-2005, 09:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Killconey Crazy Location: Various places in the Midwest, all depending on when I'm posting.	I've been reading Richard Rorty's Contingency, irony, and solidarity for a class on Postmodernism and I find his ideas on language, truth and ethics intriguing. According to Rorty, we invent truth because truth needs to be described. In order to describe something, you need a vocabulary and we humans create the words that go into those vocabularies. Words like "truth" and "ethics" can often be inefficient because their meanings are so vague and subjective. Thus, I think that one of the main problems with finding a universal system of ethics is the fact that, despite posted dictionary definitions, most people do not view ethics in the same light. A devout fundamentalist sees the word ethics and thinks that it means following the will of God. A rebellious athiest sees the word ethics and thinks that it means a system of hinderances placed on free will. Someone more middle of the road might see ethics as what it takes to be a good person. Regardless, a universal system of ethics cannot be achieved until we work out the best way to discuss it. Sadly enough, Rorty doesn't seem to think that such a day will ever come and I can't think of any way to change the way we communicate enough to bring it about. __________________ Look out for numbers two and up and they'll look out for you.