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From: "Peter Stewart" <>
Subject: Re: Parsing Stewart's Reply
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:15:02 GMT
References: <mailman.1272.1188039361.7287.gen-medieval@rootsweb.com>


"Richard Smyth at UNC-CH" <> wrote in message
news:...

<snip>

> In the real world there are no examples of causal connections that
> are not discussions of causes which will only be partial, relative, or
> contributory.

This bizarre statement resonates in a sort of intellectual chamber of
mirrors, taking on distorted shapes & angles whichever way you look at it.

It's maybe closer to theosophy than philosophy - I'm reminded of a famous
limmerick:

"There was a faith healer of Deal
Who said, "Although pain isn't real,
When I sit on a pin
And it punctures my skin,
I dislike what I fancy I feel."

When I sit on a pin, I know what a sole, proximate cause is. I don't think I
have sat on a "partial, relative or contributory cause" and I must consult
with Richard Smyth to learn more about it.

Peter Stewart


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