Dear Al,
For once we are in synch. You are quite right about
particularism and universalism both serving the same system, for all
their vicious condemnations of one another. We have many pomo professors
at Binghamton who hold ostensibly radical or progressive views, but such
views always come down to enhancing the power WITHIN the system of
particular groups currently marginal or supposedly marginal to the system.
Like more tenured jobs for gays, Lesbians, and blacks. I'm all for
tenuring gays, Lesbians, and blacks if they deserve tenure, but how is
this going to disturb the system? The system is large, it contains
multitudes.
The only exception to the rule that particularlism and
universalism both serve the system is my own universalism, i.e., the
doctrine of the World Party. All power to the Party! Well, something
like that.
Cheers,
Warren Wagar