[lit-ideas] casing out the case

  • From: Mike Geary <jejunejesuit.geary2@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 02:42:53 -0500

THE WORLD IS EVERYTHING THAT IS THE CASE


                    * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                    Ludwig Wittgenstein


Embodying the liar's paradox,
  Why did he have to reinvent the wheel?
  Unable, he said, to lie or cheat or steal,
Or understand it when a lion talks,
How to construe a language game that mocks
   Significance, too scrupulous to feel
   That others are indubitably real,
Puzzled the solitary chatterbox.

Ultimate mystery, another's pain
   Even the saint that caused it might refuse
      To recognize, like a strange native place.
What does it profit anyone to gain
   His own imaginary soul, and lose
       Forever everything that is the case?

                         ---- Daryl Hine

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