May I enter the fray on this conversation, for just one observation?
I believe it reveals how powerfully we are enmeshed in language, and so
do not even realize it when the speak with certainty of matters we
cannot possibly know about.
Here's what I mean:
> Tim A. Connor wrote:
<snip>
>
> My cat construes--by which I mean she makes distinctions and varies her
> behavior accordingly. She can make some quite fine distinctions and
> adapt to fairly subtle differences in situations. But her construing
> lacks breadth, complexity, and flexibility (a tight construct system with
> a narrow range of convenience). She cannot (I rashly assume) construe
> the architecture of the cathedral of Notre Dame as an expression of her
> relationship to God, or make a distinction between it and the Great
> Pagoda, let alone try out the behavioral implications of those
> alternative constructions of spirituality.
>
How do you know what your cat is 'doing'? Or is this, really, just
fanciful mind-reading?
Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps there is some data/grounding/evidence to
support your claim. I would love to see it.
Comments?
Gary
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