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To: cornelis; KC Burke
Is there a difference between embracing expediency and embracing pragmatism? Are they different? Did we used to embrace, at least partly, the former? If so, when did it transition to the latter (and why)?
21 posted on 11/01/2002 12:14:15 PM PST by William McKinley
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To: William McKinley
If so, when did it transition to the latter (and why)?

The tendency to shipwreck excellence for expedience is perennial. Historically, this can be seen during the last days of Socrates. And whenever since political theorizing has tried to shore self against the disturbance of a happy procedure, excellence must take the cut. For excellence as a political goal can disrupt, with severe consequences. So in that way, the political achievements that arise in following the starting points of Locke and Hobbes would mark another historical period where excellence is sacrificed for expedience. In this way, law, any law, inculind the constitution, is an expression of the political status quo, and functions as a limiting feature and inevitably sets the bounds of human flourishing.

26 posted on 11/01/2002 12:34:14 PM PST by cornelis
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