Socratean Thinkery: "Clouds" by Aristophanes
(Original Review, 2002-06-20)
In Taoism the idea of the relativity of judgement is important. So to describe something as heavy is neither true nor false since in different contexts any particular object could be usefully described as both heavy and light.
Language uses binary oppositions like heavy/light whereas in the real world there is a continuum of weight and so heavy and light are relative terms. But ordinary people make these kind of judgments all the time and often believe they are right. Hence in this context it is an important step towards wisdom to give up making these judgments as if they expressed anything solid.
If you're into stuff like this, you can read the full review.
