Manifesto for the militant middle.

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First, to Rick Wilk: Bravo! Bravissimo!

Second, a niggle. The word "truth" as in "logical and empirical truth" and
"understanding and truth." I would suggest "value" instead. "Truth" is both
too big and too small for me. Too big because it suggests an absolute
standard; too small because there are tiny truths, mere facts that turn out
to be trivial. "Value" forces me to assess why as well as how I pursue a
particular research project; to confront the choices I have to make in world
whose infinite interest will always transcend my limited means of understanding."Truth" tempts me to verbal violence; to nyah,nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, I gotta
gotta a counterexample, you are WRONG! "Value" asks me to be mindful of
my priorities, and to ask first of an utterance, "What is important here, to
the speaker?" instead of looking first for error in the interests of getting
one-up.

John McCreery

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