AtD p. 868 "we must fall back on probabilites'

[Mark Kohut]

Paul,
   
  I think in Pynchon's vision here, human, 'ancient tradition' certainties are what are 
  GONE in the world Cyprian has been brought into.....the world of spies, lies, betrayals,
  (almost ) everyone able to be bought....."matter of probabilities".
   
  I think it is all "practical' metaphors---practical out of praxis--- by TRP about the modern age, not theoretical, not metaphysical in an abstract way, ....
   
  I quoted Wittgenstein (re a possible similar idea that P might be using) 'cause Witt argues what you do:   I know no matter WHAT.........do,did, post or pre-structuralist, before modernism or postmodernly, KNOW.....................................
   
  A-and we know TRP has read at least some LW. Check out "On Certainty" online and see how LW does to stupid DOUBT or NO TRUTH what you argue---- only years before structuralism and postwhatever............if interested.
   
  Here's a, perhaps, relevant section:   55. So is the hypothesis possible, that all the things around us don't exist? Would that not be like the hypothesis of our having miscalculated in all our calculations?
  56. When one says: "Perhaps this planet doesn't exist and the light-phenomenon arises in some other way", then after all one needs an example of an object which does exist. This doesn't exist, - as for example does...
Or are we to say that certainty is merely a constructed point to which some things approximate more, some less closely? No. Doubt gradually loses its sense.

   
  MK
   
  If interested
   
  

Paul Mackin <paul.mackin at verizon.net> wrote:
  Mark Kohut wrote:
> Further; in such a modern world, relying on 'probabilites' is to say 
> all certainties
> are GONE..................................................

What about Death and Taxes and that the sun will rise tomorrow?

Oh yes in some theoretical sense there are no certainties, but does that 
have any practical meaning?

If before I knew there were no certainties I knew I didn't like spinach, 
finding out different doesn't soften my opinion any.

It's like the idea that there is no absolute Truth.

Studying postmodernist thought or post-structuralism does change 
anyone's beliefs about anything--except of course he now knows there is 
no Truth.

:-)







> 
> See On Certainty, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Grounds for /doubt/ are 
> lacking! Everything speaks in its favour, nothing against it.
> 
> "All that is solid melts into air"....marx
>
> */Mark Kohut /* wrote:
>
> in the modern world here, "no loyalties, no code of honor, no
> ancient tradition"----Pynchonian ideals----exist anymore. Everyone
> can be bought?
> 
> "We must fall back on probabilities".......
> 
> Cf. roulette, gambling, chance themes..
> 
> 
> 
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