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From: dcs2e@darwin.clas.virginia.edu (David Swanson)
Subject: Re: Heidegger
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Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 23:16:10 GMT
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In article <4ov3kf$o3o@spool.cs.wisc.edu>
tobis@scram.ssec.wisc.edu (Michael Tobis) writes:

> Since you find the term "liar" offensive (though I didn't use it) I conclude
> that you believe that the term is meaningful. I wish to understand
> how a person can believe in the existence of lies without believing
> in the existence of truth. I am genuinely interested in a substantive answer.

First of all, as regards the Galileo story, whether or not it happened
does not strike me as relevant to the point being made, viz.  there are
no "pure facts".  If such a claim has no hope of getting anywhere with
you, just ignore it, don't start talking about windows or something.

"True" is (I should set this to music I've said it so much) a term we
apply to our current firm beliefs.  "Lying" is presenting something as
your belief which is not your belief.  Outside of this discussion, you
would probably accept such an obvious answer.


David

"Resistance to the proposition that the essence of truth is freedom is
based on preconceptions, the most obstinate of which is that freedom is
a property of man."  Martin Heidegger, "On the Essence of Truth," [Vom
Wesen der Wahrheit] translated by John Sallis, in "Basic Writings,"
(old version, 1977) p.126.
