being and somethingness

“We cannot believe,”

the post-modernist claimed,

“That which we think to be true.

Objectivity,

Which we think that we see

Is a construction of western rationality.”

The empiricist stared

From across in his chair.

Scratched his head in disbelief.

“My dear colleague,” he sighed,

I observe with my eyes,

The physical world around me.”

The post-modernist scoffed

Shook his head with remorse

“You see the world through your frame

Relativity,

Is what matters to me.

And I find your science quite lame.”

The empiricist,

In a bit of a huff

Relented,

he wouldnt cease.

“Truth is derived

From the quantified.

Which comes from my expertise”

“You arrogant man,

The truth that you spew

Comes from interpretation.

Again, I insist,

Your knowledge exists,

Only through western rationalization.”

The two debated

long into the night

Over which epistemology

was right.

Neither one could be wrong

But they both went along

Pursing this pointless fight.

For one who rejects

The truth that’s beget

From variables which we can measure

Misunderstands

The task that’s at hand

And should accept that its not always sinister

For one who believes

Truth is value free

Forgets that this truth has caused terror

The science we know

Evolves as we go

And is full of human error.

- copyright Charlene Croft June 2006