Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id HAA19310 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 1 May 2002 07:57:56 +0100 X-Originating-IP: [137.110.248.206] From: "Grant Callaghan" <grantc4@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: teleology and language Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 23:52:05 -0700 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <LAW2-F107BjBRHwLozf000072ec@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 01 May 2002 06:52:05.0813 (UTC) FILETIME=[B4B22650:01C1F0DC] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
>
>--- "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu> wrote:
> >
> > On Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at 05:21 , Grant Callaghan wrote:
> >
> > > The things we can do with language today vastly exceeds what we
> > could
> > > do with it a mere hundred years ago.
> >
> > I can't see that. What is your proof?
> >
> > I read greek poetry that says just as much to me as anything I read
> > today.
> >
> > Walt Whitman didn't have as much savvy with english as we do now?
> >
> > - Wade
> >
>Counterpoint to your specific examples: just try to prove Fermat's last
>theorem by using Greek mathematics. :)
>
>
Try using ancient Greek to tell someone how to build a 747 or a computer.
Try using it to discuss genetics or modern cosmology. How about a lecture
on quantum mechanics? Walt Whitman's language was suitable for his time and
culture. You couldn't restrict yourself to it and do much of anything in
any field but literature today.
Grant
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