Noah -> RE: Is It Truly Domination? (1/7/2006 1:55:28 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MojoRisin What's interesting is the question.... are Masters TRULY dominating their slaves? Meaning, a Master can do all the "right" things, and demand that the slave obey a certain command and threaten "punishment" if these demands go unfullfilled.... but the slave can still get up and walk away at any time. It's always the slave's choice to obey..... so IS it true domination.... truly conquering.... when it's all up to the sub to obey? They hold the cards... they can say "fuck you, get out of my face" any time they want.... MR "Is it truly domination?" All questions of this type seem to be readily resolvable by the exact same method. I encourage you to try it diligently for a year or so and report back to us about how much the quality of your intellectual life has improved. Here's the method: 1. Notice the word "real" or "really" or the word "true" or "truly" or some cognate of one of those words in the question. 2. Become suspicious 3. Verify whether this is one of those strings of words dressed up as a question about the nature of things, which in light of the OP, this one is. 4. Remind yourself that what is, is, regardless of what you call it, and that there is often great value in directly encountering what is, and often a useless quagmire surrounding efforts to "decide" "what it is." Whereas efforts to find good, shared terms to use to describe "what is" can both help you think and see more clearly and help your community to thrive in relative calm. 5. Remind yourself that pseudo-questions like this are seldom good for making any progress with until you notice that any useful response will depend on the definitions given to the terms in the "question." I.e. if you define domination this way, then yes. If you define domination that way, then no. Now please pass the beer nuts. 6. Remind yourself that the definitions someone else brings to the dicsussion may mirror the broad common usage of the term OR the definition someone else brings may be shared only in a certain community OR the definition the other person brings may be a curious (but potentially valuable!) thing of their own making and they may very not be aware of which sort of definition they are bringing. 7. Remind yourself that the definition which another person brings may be a function of a metaphysical theory under which they operate--again, whether they know it or not (the OP, for instance, is demonstrably coming out of a particular, apparently unquestioned, metaphysic)--and thank your lucky stars that you have decided that while scientific theories are wondrous powerful things in their own sphere, metaphysical theories are kind of like the original question. That is they are strings of words in masquerade, in this case dressed up as explanations. In short metaphysical theories are way more trouble than they are worth and should be dumped the moment that you find that one has crawled into your pack during a fitful night's sleep. 8. Recast the question along lines like these: "Do you find it useful to consider as domination instances of (this) or (that)? Why or why not?" In this way the broadly common definition, or the locally common definition, or the personal definition can be evaluated for it's usefulness in light of your personal and/or shared experiences. Then the definition can be affirmed or revised acordingly. 9. Promise never to mouth a string of words like "Is ____ really and truly ______?" ever ever again. Cross your heart and hope to die. 10. Live in peace with my eternal thanks.
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