[bishop]

This is to state a universal and unchanging (the two concepts are different) concept of truth: "Truth is change." It is to postulate that: 1) there is a truth, namely that concepts of truth change over time; and 2) that we can know this as truth, universally and unchangingly. Hence, it is not a denial of truth and would be IN OPPOSITION to Rorty's position.

if the definition of truth is constantly changing, then how do you define a universal definition of what truth is/represents? it seems more accurate to say that rorty's position assumes that truth is not universal because it is constantly changing. truth exists, but only temporarily and subjectively.

This is to suggest that the definite definition of truth is that it is "undefinable" and "historically contingent." This a self-contradictory definition, for the question then is whether this definition itself is unchanging and variable.

that isn't true.. over the years, the leading definitions of words do change. for example, gay used to mean jovial, not it means homosexual. as time passes the perception of words change. right now, we have lots of people in this country calling themselves "conservatives" but what does that mean exactly? conservatives used to be about limited government, but the current "conservative" spends money like it's going out of style. just like the words "gay" and "conservative", "truth" is also affected by the passage of time. it is clear to me that the definition does, and has, changed.

if you disagree with that last statement, then can you give me a definition of truth which encompasses all of the definitions that have been given over time? i.e. a definition that truly is universal - rather than one that simply acknowledges that it has changed?

This critique of Communism or any form of socialism as "failures" itself makes a tacit appeal to moral principles -- i.e., those systems are "bad." Such an appeal assumes the validity of a morality or of some value, while denying that there are universally valid morals.

i disagree.. imo, when rorty mentions communism he's simply explaining part of the basis of his own view of morality. much of this view comes from his father who felt betrayed by soviet communism (from straying from its philosophical ideals). every major philosopher has a special reason for why they think what they think.. plato was disguisted with the state of athenian democracy, marx with the exploitation of the industrial laborer, etc.. rorty's is his indirect experience with communism - watching his idealistic father become disillusioned with that which he once loved. (and, of course, all of his personal readings.)


i also stumbled on this, found it interesting:

http://assets.cambridge.org/052180/0587/sa...521800587WS.pdf