Re: [UUPoly-L] Epistemology and Polyamory

Desmond Ravenstone <desmondravenstone@yahoo.com> · Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:02:22 -0000

Actually, there are people who oppose polyamory on grounds other than the Bible.  You may remember that over a year ago, there was a UU minister arguing vociferously against polyamory, appealing to general moral and sociological standards.

As to the earlier comment that "my epistemology is better than your epistemology": I did not, and would not, phrase it in such a way.  A more accurate response would be: "What epistemology?"  When you state that any claim can be considered valid on any grounds whatsoever, how are you even addressing the basic question of how we can know anything?  And when you are dealing with real people in the real world, how do you expect to either learn from them or persuade them to consider your viewpoint?  That's not being snotty -- it's being practical.

Desmond Ravenstone

********************

http://www.myspace.com/desmond_ravenstone

--- On Sun, 9/28/08, Douglass Mitchell Modisett <mmodis@3oaks.com> wrote:

> From: Douglass Mitchell Modisett <mmodis@3oaks.com>
> Subject: Re: [UUPoly-L] Epistemology and Polyamory
> To: uupoly-l@uupa.org
> Date: Sunday, September 28, 2008, 7:33 PM
> Dear Desmond
>      I think that most people who object morally to
> poly-amory are those who 
> believe that they are following holy scripture as their
> guide.  To change 
> their view, we must patiently explain that they really
> don't understand 
> their Bible.  Let them become aware of Exodus 21: 10.   
> "If he takes 
> another wife for himself, he shall not diminish her food,
> clothing, or 
> marital rights of the first wife."  This is a clear
> statement that polygamy 
> is permitted as long as his original wife is not
> mistreated. A good 
> concordance will turn up dozens of examples or a society
> that treats young 
> women as the possession of their father untill he sells her
> to her new 
> husband-owner.  A man can have as many wives as he can
> purchase.   Uugghh!!! 
> Mitchell
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Desmond Ravenstone"
> <desmondravenstone@yahoo.com>
> To: <uupoly-l@uupa.org>
> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2008 6:34 PM
> Subject: [UUPoly-L] Epistemology and Polyamory
> 
> 
> >
> > --- On Sun, 9/28/08, CWLee
> <cwlee@post.harvard.edu> wrote:
> >
> >>> However, I believe the topic has moved far
> beyond poly issues and 
> >>> experiences.
> >
> > Please permit me to attempt to make it relevant.
> >
> > I believe the larger issue here is how we can know or
> claim something to 
> > be true -- in a word, epistemology.
> >
> > My position is largely one of a pragmatic rational
> empiricism -- when you 
> > state a proposition, and want to persuade others why
> they should accept 
> > it, you need to present evidence.
> >
> > The argument I've heard on the other side sounds
> to me more like epistemic 
> > relativism -- that there's no standard for
> determining or persuading 
> > others that a proposition is true; personal experience
> and sincere belief 
> > are just as valid as anything else.
> >
> > Now, let's say that you are approached by someone
> who argues that 
> > polyamory is unethical, even destructive to society. 
> Imagine how each 
> > side would respond:
> >
> > The first would not only demand evidence to support
> the anti-poly person's 
> > claim, but produce evidence and logic that polyamory
> can and does work for 
> > a significant minority of people, and how social and
> legal efforts to 
> > supress plural relationships actually does more harm
> than good.
> >
> > The second would be caught in a quandary -- either
> appeal to personal 
> > experience and feelings, accuse the other person of
> being dogmatic, or 
> > simply say "your truth is not my truth" and
> walk away.
> >
> > Aside from the practical issue of which approach would
> be more persuasive, 
> > whether to the anti-poly person or an observer who is
> not sure of either 
> > side, there is also the question of which more
> adequately presents the 
> > reality and experience of poly people in general. 
> Plus, as Unitarian 
> > Universalists, which is more consistent with both our
> principles and the 
> > sources which inspire us.
> >
> > Desmond Ravenstone
> >
> > ********************
> >
> > http://www.myspace.com/desmond_ravenstone
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > The UUPoly-L mailing list has public archives.
> > Please keep that in mind when deciding how much to
> reveal about yourself.
> > UUPoly-L mailing list
> > UUPoly-L@uupa.org
> > http://www.uupa.org/mailman/listinfo/uupoly-l
> > 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> The UUPoly-L mailing list has public archives.
> Please keep that in mind when deciding how much to reveal
> about yourself.
> UUPoly-L mailing list
> UUPoly-L@uupa.org
> http://www.uupa.org/mailman/listinfo/uupoly-l