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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 4.2.97: Top | Help
Are there purple people eaters? Frankly I can't PROVE it,
but I'm prepared to bet on the high statistical probability
that there are not.Are there planets revolving around other stars? Frankly, I can't
PROVE it, but I'm prepared to bet on the high statistical probability
that there are.Will the sun rise tomorrow? Were you of woman born? Did Lizzie Borden
give her father forty whacks?If you ask for exact PROOF that this individual or that wrote
the plays, based this scene or that on an actual event, was straight
or bevel, you'll never get it. That doesn't means certain things
can't be claimed without a high-level of probable certainty. It
all depends on the quality of the circumstantial evidence, the integrity
and consistency of the argument, the quality of the judgment.Now let's talk about the quality of the circumstantial evidence
about* Who wrote the plays (and who didn't)
* Whether the author was male or female
* From what social class he/she came
* Whether he/she was hetero- homo- or bisexual.
* Etc.In the end, we can only move towards a high level of agreement;
truth in these matters cannot be established with the certainty
of a mathematical formula and it's foolish to expect it. But it
doesn't help to duck the issues by simpling jeering "no proof!
no proof!"Will we disagree? Of course, just check out the web site. But we
can also go beyond "Well, that's just YOUR opinion." Our prime
evidence is the literature itself.Posted by Professor Mike on April 12, 1997 at 14:04:05
In Reply to "You're jumping to conclusions again!" posted by Thersites on April 11, 1997 at 08:38:53
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 4.2.97: Top | Help