David Harvey

From: David Harvey
Date: 16 Oct 2003, 13:13:11
Subject: The Meaning of Life?

Caspar,

In common with at least one other respondent, I now understand why a free copy of the New Humanist arrived on my doormat, so thanks for that.

In exception to at least one other of your respondent’s, I do not
accept that the question is beyond the scope of philosophical inquiry – if that were to be so, then there are limits to the scope of enquiry – what are these? Are the answers to this question then some form of answer to your question – a matter of faith and belief, but not of sensible enquiry? This answer, then, is: whatever you want to believe.

Finally, I’m impressed and not a little flattered that whatever
search engine or method you used should identify me as a practising philosopher. I am trying (very, according to many of my colleagues) – though without the benefit of any formal specific training in the art.

I am also trying to creep up on an answer which satisfies me (if no one else). You can find the products of this creeping search at:
www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/david.harvey/DRHRootFolder/DRH_research.html#Concept

I suggest that a starting point in this rubbish might be found under the ESRC/Prospect sub-heading, especially “Knowledge: How do we come by it and what does it mean? – an essay on the origins of everything submitted as the second of a quintet of essays to the Prospect challenge (but rejected, of course).

On this basis, my provisional answer is: To self-realise within the patterns and fabrics of universal self-realisation, – meaningless unless you follow the story and find it at least partly credible.

Good luck with your search, and let me know if you find anything useful.

About caspar

Caspar is just one monkey among billions. Battering his keyboard without expectations even of peanuts, let alone of aping the Immortal Bard. By day he is an infantologist at Birkbeck Babylab, by night he runs BabyLaughter.net
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