0802 Once again, here is the interscope for the Sophist tradition.

0803 The purposes of spoken words are two fold.  The first is to convey the reality of rhetorical discourse.  The second is to package understanding.  Rhetorical discourse_3b and properly packaged understanding_1b sustain sophisticated values_2b.  Sophisticated values_2b virtual situate the content-level actuality_2a where the citizen imagines that what I think [should correspond to] what I say_2a.

A clever student may have noticed that the presence underlying the spoken word associates to both the intellect_3a and the will_1a.  So, what does it imply that an education in rhetoric involves intellectual exercises?  Lots of intellectual exercises!  Why else would someone take a course from Prodicus?  Everyone in Athens knows that the five-drachma lecture is a teaser for the fifty-drachma lecture. And, the fifty-drachma lecture delivers the intellectual goods on how to frame propositions_1b.

0804 Oh, the power of intellectual success!

Pieper tells a story about Albert Einstein, who is both perplexed and amused when an American university offers him a million dollars in order to buy the twelve original handwritten pages of his theory of relativity.

0805 What is that university_3c purchasing?

It_3c is not purchasing the argument_2a, that is already published.  Nor is it_3c purchasing the way that Einstein reframed the propositions of physics, from the point of view where all things are in motion, consequently no location is fixed_1b.

Instead, the university_3c sees an opportunity_1c for the ownership_2c of the handwritten papers that document Einstein’s theoretical breakthrough_2a.  These papers_2a represent Einstein’s victorious will_1a.  These papers_2a are the content that is situated by Einstein’s monumental reframing of physics_1b.  To purchase_2c these papers_2a is to acquire the reputation_2bafforded to Einstein_3a,1a, but at a much lower price_2b.  The ancient Greeks have a word for this type of transaction.  English does not. English translators translate the Greek word into “flattery_1c“.

See 1 Thessalonians 2.5.

0806  Here is how flattery enters into the picture.

0807 After this rollout on the abuse of language, I return to the virtual nested form in the category of firstness.

0808 I summarize.

The will_1a to speak my mind_2a addresses the two-fold purpose to spoken words and language.

First, spoken words should picture or point to their referents.  In this, they do not.  But, they do the next best thing.  Spoken words convey reality.  Reality is one perfection of spoken words.

Second, spoken words intend to establish a common understanding.  What is understanding?  Understanding is a complete nested form, where a normal context₃ brings an actuality₂ into relation with its potential₁.  Spoken words₂ need to do that.  That need is satisfied for a spoken word when a definition₃ brings that spoken word₂ into relation with the potential of meaning, presence and message₁.

0809 In the normal context of rhetorical discourse_3b, sophists formally package understanding_1b according to variations of the above formula.  Definition₃ brings a spoken word₂ into relation with the potentials of what I think (meaning)₁, what I say (message)₁, and the intellect₁, as that which characterizes whether one particular word is used or not.

0810 What about the will_1a?

Well, the only reason why the sophist_3b situates the citizen_3a,1a through rhetorical discourse_3b is to be victorious_1a.

Oops.  I should not have mentioned that.

0811 Instead, let me say that the sophist_3b frames each proposition_1b in order to articulate sophisticated values_2b (the citizen_3a,1a is obviously incapable of doing this, since he is merely saying what he thinks_2a).  This requires that the understanding that the citizen expresses_2a be repackaged into well-defined propositions_1b in such a manner that the ongoing discourse_3b reveals the reality that the sophist wants the citizen to endorse.

0812 Finally, the packaging of knowledge_1b, the sophistication of the argument_2b and the reality of the discourse itself_3bflatter_1c the one who pays the sophist_3c and provides the opportunity_1c for a decision_2c that will provide well-deserved remuneration.

I suspect that the last sentence may be regarded as offensive by the one who pays_3c.  No one is supposed to talk about the one who pays the sophist from the riches that he earns from political manipulation of public decisions.

Plus, sophists_3b are not really redefining the meaning, message and presence underlying spoken words.  They are “adjusting” them to suite their needs.  Yes, particular situations call for particular adjustments.  Finally, the victorious will_1a does not opportunistically say what is necessary to win_1a.  The intellect_3a with the he victorious will_1a only stateswhat furthers a rhetorical position_1a.

0813 Now, the reason why Plato despises the sophists becomes a little more transparent.

Their abuse of words leads to the corruption of language.

After all, the two functions of spoken words are to convey reality and to achieve understanding.

Neither is furthered by the virtual nested form pictured above.

0814 The sophist is not concerned about the truth.  The truth should resonate with my will_1a, but it does not, because there are two wills in play on the content level, the will of the citizen_1a and the will of the victory-oriented sophist_1a.  The same can be said for the intellect_3a.

0686 Here is a picture.

0815 Indeed, in regards to the content-level normal context, my intellect_3a confronts a sophisticated intellect_3a in the arena that serves as a forum for citizens making decisions_3b.

0816 Is this an abusive relationship?

What chance does the citizen have?  When the citizen speaks, he says what is on his mind.  He speaks what he is thinking.  When his opponent speaks, he says what is necessary to achieve victory.

0817 What about the abuse of power?

Here is a picture of the virtual nested form in the realm of normal contexts.

0818 As already noted, there are two nested forms contesting the content (or citizen) level.  One goes with the unsophisticated citizen.  The other associates with the “educated” sophist.

The normal context of rhetorical discourse_3b does not respect the integrity of traditional spoken-word associations.  Tradition builds language.  Sophism_3b manipulates what it did not create. Indeed, if the chances of victory_1a were not enhanced by the clever use of spoken words, then the situation-level would not flourish and the perspective-level would not attain the fusion of money and persuasion that builds unimaginable fortunes.

0819 How so?

Why else would the one who pays_3c, hiding behind the veil of refined reason_3c, be willing to suffer the price commanded by the sophist who can get the job done_2b?

For example, a trader who has cleared the roads to Thebes pays a sophist to advocate for a war between Athens and Syracuse, which will stop transport between Syracuse and Athens, but not stop transport between Syracuse and Thebes.  If a declaration of war_2c between Athens and Syracuse is passed, even if it only means a cessation of direct trading, then the Thebes-connected trader can now be the sole importer into Athens from Syracuse through Thebes, with the additional benefit of higher prices due to rarity… er… supply-chain challenges.

After all, there is no substitute for the raisins of Syracuse.

0820 The sophist_3b will offer convincing reasons for why Athens should declare war_2b, which is different from actually conducting a war, because this declaration will merely decree that no ships that have ported in Syracuse may dock in Athens for certain period of time.  Yes, this is a “limited war”, an “economic war”, a “war sanctioning Syracuse” for its offensive behaviors, including undercutting raisin production around Athens by offering dried grapes of higher quality at lower price.

What reasonable citizen would not vote for such a “war”?

0821 What happens after the “war” is enacted?

The citizen’s wife later complains that the price of those delicious and affordable raisins from Syracuse has skyrocketed, and the slaves who are supposed to pick the dried grapes around Athens have been tasked with other labors.

Will the reasonable citizen now vote for a decree demanding that the Athenian slaves who once picked raisins must now return to their old jobs?

No, that would be crazy.

0823 Perhaps, the reasonable citizen will realize, too late, that he voted for a decision_2c that makes no sense.

0824 So, he goes to the sophist to complain and finds that the sophist has changed.  His consort is not longer this plain-looking woman from a wealthy family.  His consort is incredibly beautiful and obviously trained in the arts of…

Well never mind that!

0825 Meanwhile, the trader, whose clandestine meeting with his sophist has been interrupted by this “reasonable citizen”, stands behind a curtain and overhears the conversation.  The trader silently feels the power inherent in what he has done.  He has brought Athens to its knees.  Over dried grapes, no less.  Such a little thing presages greater things.  Soon, Athens will be on its knees to this trader, who will then demand the war that he desires.  Yes, the trader angles for a real war, not with Syracuse, but with unsuspecting Thebes, whose trading business is ripe for takeover.

0031 Fuller’s introduction continues to set the scene.

First, this player’s guide is a follow up to the foundational text, published in 2018, titled, Post-Truth: Knowledge as a Power Game.

0032 Second, the post-truth condition is not merely an exercise in relativism.  It is more.  Relativism makes the most sense when one (the holder of the relativist position) is outside of all relativized jurisdictions.  Imagine the advantages that the relativist one must have in order to make that presumption.  There is only one absolute and that is me, acting as a disinterested observer and declaring that all other opinions are relative… er… not absolute.

Well, if the post-truth condition is more than an exercise in relativism, and if the relativist one has the very attractive advantage of being able to account for all other stances as part of a relativist system, then what is the problem?

What about those who remain in the relativized jurisdictions?

I suppose that the scrappy player needs see things from the standpoint of his opponents, and if possible, turn that to an advantage.

And, that is not easy to do when one’s “opponent” does not dwell in one’s jurisdiction… or any relativized jurisdiction, for that matter.

So, I wonder, “Where does the expert appear in this exercise in more-than-relativism?”

Well, the expert must be located between the relativist one and the scrappy player.

0033 If I think in terms of category-based nested forms, then the following nested form applies.

I say, “The perspective_c of the relativist one virtually brings the situation_b of expertise on a specific topic into relation with content_a produced by scrappy players exercising their reason.“

Or, maybe, I can say, “The relativist one_3c relativizes all jurisdictions… or ‘turfs’… of academic expertise_3b.  Then, diverse fields of expertise_3b virtually situate scrappy players_3a.”

0034 This nested form is protean because each element immediately expands into its own nested form.  See A Primer on the Category-Based Nested Form and A Primer on Sensible and Social Construction, by Razie Mah, available at smashwords and other e-book venues.

In brief, this protean nested form expands into a three-level interscope.

Is this how the relativist one socially constructs a post-truth world?

0035 Educational institutions issue credentials.  Credentials associate to expertise.  Credentials are metaphorical keys (situation-level actualities_2b) to metaphorical locks (perspective-level potentials_1c).  Credentials_2b are key for opportunities_1c that lead to success_2c.

Here is how these elements enter a post-truth interscope, where the perspective_c, situation_b and content_a levels are denominated by the protean nested form.

0036 In chapter one, Fuller dwells upon the central term, “post-truth”.

Reason imposes chains on itself.  How so?  Well, knowledge gets formalized.  For example, what is worth knowing is divided from what is not worth knowing.  Well, then, what is worth knowing?  Formalized knowledge is so much worth knowing that it_1b supports the awarding of credentials_2b by an educational institution_3c.

0037 Back in the introduction, Fuller recalls Willard Quine’s insight. A knowledge claim that requires a massive change to the overall “web of belief” will be considered dubious until academically domesticated.  In other words, a novel notion that is true will stand as just another opinion that is on offer on the content level until academics make it their own.

This implies that a “web of belief” constitutes the expert level.

 Plus, the expert level situates the scrappy (or is it “crappy”?) player level.

0038 These developments are entered into the following diagram.

0039 Well, if formalizing knowledge_1b domesticates a knowledge claim_2a that might call for a massive cognitive change,then the ‘something’_1a that underlies opinions_2a must be ‘something’ to be reckoned with.  ‘Something’_1a may be too creative to process.  ‘Something’_1a may be too destructive.  Or, ‘something’_1a may change the status quo.

0040 Look at the content-level nested form.  There are two aspects.  One associates to the normal context_3a.  The other associates to potential_1a.  Both aspects concern reason.

Fuller offers a psychological formula.  Reason equals intellect plus will.

Are these the two aspects?

If so, then intellect_3a is the normal context_3a that chains the creative and destructive potential of the will_1a.  The  actuality of facts and claims_2a (that is, opinions_2a) emerges from (and situates) the creative and destructive potential of the will_1a, within the normal context of the intellect_3a.

0041 Here a picture of the ongoing post-truth interscope.

0042 The question now arises, asking, “Who or what goes into the perspective-level normal context?”

If the perspective-level normal context is the relativist one_3c, then this particular element becomes a safe-haven, outside of all traditional (credentialed) jurisdictions, yet holding all the metaphorical locks and keys to success.  All educational institutions_3b, as well as all forums for discourse_3b, are relative, according to the relativist one_3c.

0043 Here is how the interscope may be spoken.

On the content (or scrappy player) level, the normal context of the intellect_3a brings the actuality of diverse facts and claims (that is, opinions)_2a into relation with the potential of the will_1a.

On the situation (or expert) level, the normal context of an educational institution_3b brings the actuality of credentials_2binto relation with the potential of ‘formalizing knowledge’_1b.

On the perspective (or relativist one) level, the normal context of one who stands above all relativized jurisdictions_3cbrings the actuality of success_2c into relation with the potential of opportunities_1c.

Perspective brings situation into relation with content.

0044 One implication of the complete three-level interscope for the post-truth condition takes the title of chapter two, “Post-Truth Is About Finding A Game One Can Win”.

The relativist one_3c operates a justified “true” belief system.

The key term is not “true”.

The key term is “operates”.

0045 Yes, “operates” has the same first syllable as “opportunity”.

What is opportunity_1c beyond the potential of putting credentials_2b into perspective?

0046 According to Fuller, the operational game of “axiology” starts with a continuum, such as the continuum between what must be done and what cannot be done, then explicitly divides the continuum according to two labels: “necessity” and “impossibility”.

In terms of on-the-ground impact, such a division may be regarded as nonsense, even when applied to a single topic.

0047 Consider a nagging issue faced by ancient Athenians.  The Kingdom of Syracuse!  What do we do about it?  When hearing the diverse facts and claims around the market_2a, one would conclude that war with Syracuse is both necessary and impossible.  But, once a sophist_3b opportunistically formalizes the issue in terms of an either/or proposition_1b, then one party gathers under the banner of “necessity” and one party gathers under the banner of “impossibility”_2b. 

The result is a hylomorphic structure, where the party of impossibility standing against the party of necessity occupies the slot for credentials_2b.  At this juncture, the solution to the contention between the two parties becomes obvious.  The party saying that war is not possible does not want to do anything.  But, doing nothing is not an option.  Doing nothing will only make war more necessary.

0048 Does that sound like an opportunity_1c?

Here is a picture of this unfolding drama.

Go from left to right.

0049 Now, I wonder, “Does the relativist one_3c care whether Athens decides to go to war with Syracuse?  Or, does the relativist one_3c only care about arriving at… what may be called… the actions associated with a justified belief… that is… success_2c?”

0050 Here is the the post-truth interscope for the ongoing example.

Diverse claims about Syracuse_2a are virtually situated by one party under the banner saying that war is necessary_2b and another party under the banner saying that war is not possible_2b in the normal context of a public forum_3b operating on the potential of ‘situating rumors about what to do about Syracuse’_1b.

Does the relativist one_3c know what will happen after Athens gathers a fleet and sails to Syracuse?  Or, is the relativist one_3c clever enough to cast a veil of ignorance_1b over a cauldron of irreconcilable claims_2a thus constituting a post-truth game_2b that results in a particular organized endeavor_2c?  See page 21 of Fuller’s text for that question.

0051 Remember, for the post-truth condition, what matters is not whether something is true or false.

What matters is how something is decided.

The first statement concerns the intellect.  The second statement concerns the will.

0052 This reminder suggests a flaw in a preceding figure.

The starting point for a virtual nested form in the realm of firstness (the column in the realm of possibility) is not the various opinions of the people in Athens_2a, it is their will_1a.

Here, the virtual normal context is on the left and the virtual potential is on the right.

0053 The normal context of a resolution of contradictions between the parties of impossibility and necessity_1c virtually brings the actuality of the formalization of impossibility in contrast to necessity_1b into relation with the possibility of the wills of the people of Athens in regards to Syracuse_1a.

Success_2c takes the form of a judgment that leads to action.

0054 “What type of guide is this?”, I ask myself as I turn to chapter three.

What are the fates of truth, reason (as we commonly imagine it to be, rather than as the normal context and potential of the scrappy player) and reality, when the post-truth condition is a game_2b to arrive at a judgment_2c that leads to action?

So let me leave the image of the ships of Athens burning in the harbor at Syracuse in favor of a more recent example.  Some contemporaries call this example, “The Cold War”, technically ranging from 1945 to 1989 anno domini.  I prefer to call it The Third Battle Among the Enlightenment Gods: The Cold War Among Materialist Ideologies.

Materialist ideologies?

Think capitalism versus communism.

0055 In this example, the opponents are mirror images.  Just swap USSR for USA, then swap them back.

0056 Both parties agree that a nuclear war must be ruled out, because neither party can achieve the victory of a completely nullifying first strike.

Both parties agree that war is necessary in order to advance a materialist ideology.

0057 Success_2b turns out to be a series of proxy wars that leaves many relativized jurisdictions in ruin.  Success_2b turns out to be an inversion of what “capitalism” means, because the USA markets are regulated in such a fashion as to maximize positive publicity for the “capitalist” materialist ideology and negative publicity for the opposing “communist” materialist ideology.  That means, for the most part, fighting the commies is good for business.

Plus, creating false flags into order to validate the so-called domino theory turns out to be advantageous.

One can say the same for the USSR, because “communism” turns out to be state-capitalism. Or, maybe “capital” has been redefined as “party membership”.  The state regulates every level of the organization tier in order to conduct various proxy wars that the proxies would rather not participate in.  That means, for the most part, pay is not so good to fight the capitalists.  

Such as the Taliban?

Or anti-materialist ideologies such as Christianity?

0058 I know that this is difficult to fathom.

Truth, reason and even, reality, must be sacrificed in order to maintain the opportunity_1c underlying success_2c, which may be defined as a judgment that leads to a course of action_2c, rather than… what most scrappy players_3a consider to be “success_2a“.  

0059 Here is what happens after the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

Yes, the USA continues to conduct proxy wars, even after the USSR disintegrates.

Weirdly, established players in the USA preserve their Cold War post-truth success_2c, by confabulating a novel materialist ideology_2b that weirdly distorts capitalist truth, reason and reality_1b and then conducting a crusade_2c as if their dynamic hybridization of materialist ideologies_2b is more righteous than what capitalism used to be.

0060 Say what?

What is the name of this novel materialist ideology that preserves the necessity of proxy wars even though the USSR has fallen?

More on that, later.