From: AaronLynch@aol.com
Date: Wed 30 Oct 2002 - 17:26:36 GMT
In a message dated 10/30/2002 3:13:57 AM Central
Standard Time, dgatherer2002@yahoo.co.uk writes:
> Subj: Re: Standard definition
> Date: 10/30/2002 3:13:57 AM Central Standard Time
> From: dgatherer2002@yahoo.co.uk (derek gatherer)
> Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk
> Reply-to: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>
> Aaron:
> Nor do I have to deal with people insisting that only
> external behaviors or artifacts can qualify as
> "ideas."
>
> Derek:
> No, but I insist you can't quantify ideas. You've
> painted yourself into a non-quantitative corner.
Fortunately, I never expected use of the word "idea" or the
technical definition of the term "thought contagion" or the
term "belief," etc. to solve our complicated disagreements
on matters of data collection and quantitative analysis of
ideas, behaviors, artifacts, and so forth. For that matter,
I do not expect such terminology changes to solve all
disagreements between cognitive psychologists and
behavioral psychologists.
Nor do I expect a mere shift of terminology to solve our
myriad other disagreements. I am sure that we could spend
years re-playing our disputes using different terms.
As for Dawkins, my comment that he can, if he wishes,
clarify exactly what he means by the word "meme" in formal
technical terms stands regardless of what prizes he may win
or why he really wins them.
--Aaron Lynch
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