Posted by Jonathan Labaree on December 04, 2002 at 21:29:08 from 207.5.234.19 user JLabaree.
In Reply to: The evolution of language, history and all that! posted by Peter R on December 04, 2002 at 17:50:46:
“Is that not just semantics? … If we change the course of the future then we will have changed the course of history (once those changes come into being) - won't we? Or am I missing your point?”
Yes, it probably is just semantics, Duncan, and I doubt my point is any more sophisticated than you state and I’m just confusing myself. I guess I have problems with the term “course of history” since it implies, as Peter R. says, that someone is steering it, which I find hard to believe. I still feel, but can’t seem to articulate why it’s important, that there is some kind of a difference between an historical person’s future and our history. The two concepts seem so different, though they are obviously related. But, as you say, this is way off topic, though I appreciate your comments, as always.