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From: rjf@eagle.ukc.ac.uk (Robin Faichney)
Newsgroups: sci.philosophy.tech
Subject: Re: prickles and goo
Message-ID: <4142@eagle.ukc.ac.uk>
Date: 12 Jan 88 17:41:41 GMT
References: <1832@epimass.EPI.COM>
Reply-To: rjf@ukc.ac.uk (Robin Faichney)
Followup-To: sci.philosophy.tech,talk.religion.newage
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In article <1832@epimass.EPI.COM> jbuck@epimass.EPI.COM (Joe Buck) writes:
>An interesting passage from Alan Watts:
>
>..the partisans of 'prickles' and the partisans of 'goo'..

C G Jung originated the categories of `extraversion' and `introversion'.
According to Jung, everyone exhibits characteristics of both categories,
but almost (or perhaps absolutely, I can't check now) everyone is biased
one way or the other. The extravert is biased towards objectivity -- the
external world -- and the introvert towards subjectivity -- the internal
world. Seems to me that this aligns with Watts categories, the pricklies
being the extraverts (lots of things out there!), and the gooies, intro-
verts (I love to feel harmonious!).

I don't know enough about bi-lateral (a)symmetry to be sure, but I don't
think that this one aligns with that dichotomy.  On the other hand, this
one does does align with the classic division of philosophers: into emp-
iricists and rationalists.  It also seems in accord with the nature ver-
sus nurture controversy. (Of course these are extremely abstract, though
not necessarily vague groupings.)  Wouldn't it be nice to get a liberal/
conservative tie-up? A recent theory I came across is that Conservatives
are unconsciously greedy, while socialists are unconsciously envious.  I
am consciously lazy, or else I'd provide the reference. While Jung might
not have been too hostile to such an analysis, making it fit with extra/
introversion might take a bit of thought!

Robin (What are Reply-To: and Path: lines for? ;-)