Re: BHA: Truth, Lies irony and In defense of Habermasian

[Colin Wight <Colin.Wight@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi ,


>I thought we'd got this cleared up!  The point for Habermas -- which I only
>mentioned because it seemed like a curious inverse of the deflationary
>position -- is not, not, not, *NOT* that nobody ever lies.  Or is ironic.
>Or does all *sorts* of things with language, other than honestly assert
>things.

OK, this is my position and was asserted on my behalf to argue against
Doug's claim (which Louis defended - or at least I thought) that according
to Habermas one has to be commited to one's assertions (hence my origninal
introduction of lies and irony). If everyone is now agreed that what
Habermas really seems to be saying is that truth is embedded in language
itself, as Howard argues and now Doug, then I'm happy. Also, Michael (Hi,
and Hi Howie (where have you been?)) I think you are making my point and I
don't think we disagree, the point is that we do assume that asserters are
committed to their pronouncements, but we don't think that they put into
practice this theoretical assumption - as is often clear in practice (just
for Howard). However, this theoretical assumption is prior, as Ruth
suggests, since without it the concept of a lie would make no sense.

Thanks,



=============================================


Dr. Colin Wight
Department of International Politics
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Wales
SY23 3DA
Tel: (01970) 621769


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