Re: Long Rant: Hegel & Biology

Phil Graham (pw.graham who-is-at student.qut.edu.au)
Wed, 04 Nov 1998 20:11:53 +1100

>So, how does molecular biology materally perform the dialectic?

Maturana and Varela have studied this a bit and they say: exactly the same
as we do (only on an eensy-weensy level). The bacteria will move towards a
fatty environment, and away from an acidic one. It is in communion with its
environment. They argue (1980: Autopoiesis: The biology of cognition) that
the little beasties are cognitive. This is a good book to read if you're so
inclined Publisher is Reidel: Holland

>the flesh is, (and I am [she blurted effusively]
> SO FUCKING SURE, that the text we need to read is [underneath ]AND ON our
>skin.

Yehaaaaaaaa

>(1)So, being a good li'l grad student, I wonder: what might it mean if
>"knowlegde/epistemologiy/dialectics were avaiable in a dialectical
>materialism of the organic? Really: what if "metaphysics" are organic
>projections of flesh, biology, complex electromagnetic interactionism,
>pheronomes, touch...

Try M&V and see whatcha reckon. I can send you a paper that condenses
several months reading about their stuff if you want. (and anyone else
reading, too). It only draws paralells to M&V and sociolinguistics, most
particularly, Jay's synthesis.

>
>(2) Are dialectical interpretations sufficient for such epistemological
>qualifications ?

Are there another one?

>
>INGRATIATING CLOSURE:
>how nice to feel that this is a place where I can actually have a rant.
>Maybe I'm the crazy lady who lives on the edge of town,
>cultivates a pretty fine pot farm, writes for a living,
> likes to sit on her front porch, with her nine mongrel dogs,

That's the farm I wuz talking about before ... sounds good.

>
>holding a shotgun on her lap,
>just in case a turkey or a Conservative(Republican)
>gurgles in the field across the way.,...

Errrrr .... weelll maybe ... couldn't it be a slingshot, or the collected
workds of Hermann Hesse? You could read the introduction from the Glass
Bead Game at the offending conservative. Alll of a sudden she would realise
her mistakes and become socially responsive and give all her money to the
poor of the world.

>You're so right Phil: Act (Be/Think?Feel? local = UNDERSTAND global.)

I know nothing and I have no answers (though many opinions)... thanks for
your kind words.

>Thank you all
> for collectively constructing a space where freedom of thought and speech
>can actually happen.

Here here.

Phil
Phil Graham
pw.graham who-is-at student.qut.edu.au
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/8314/index.html