Re: [Critical-Realism] Mervyn's really good question!

["Mervyn Hartwig" <mh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Howard

OK, I misread "semio-causal" as "semi-causal". Still, isn't the import
similar? I think you imply in a number of places that meanings are not
causal, only the physical/material is. On the standard CR view, reasons,
when we act on them, are causes, ie make a material difference to the world,
set matter in motion; if they are not causes, then from this perspective
your position is in effect that acting for a reason is "only partly caused".


If this is not so, what is the basis for distinguishing "semio" and "causal"
in this context?

Mervyn 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: critical-realism-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:critical-realism-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Howard
Engelskirchen
Sent: 08 December 2007 14:47
To: Continuation of the Spoon Bhaskar List
Subject: [Critical-Realism] Mervyn's really good question!


Hi Mervyn,

You ask a really good question here:

><And now, Howard,  you start asserting it as fact that "action is
>only partly causal" (where did that drop from? -- the generally accepted CR
>position is that reasons are causes) >

Yes, "where did that drop from?"

The text set between quotation marks and attributed to my asserting 
exists in no emails posted by me.

I have no idea what you are claiming here, and of course you will 
understand what I say in the way you understand it.  I can't do 
anything about that.  You can conclude on the basis of what I say 
that I argue for pure positivity, am an inveterate in my monovalence, 
etc.  Those are your opinions to hold and explain.

But you can't put words in my mouth and then put them between scare 
quotes.  Let's keep the historical record straight.

As for the substance of what you here argue I am saying, I hold no 
such view and as soon as I understand how you are inferring this 
position from what I actually have said, I'll try to explain.

best,

howard


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