• yetiftw@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    but there is no way to know what the “intended” interpretation is. and often interpretations beyond the original creator’s intent are still valuable and valid

    • Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I agree. There is definitely cases where it is impossible to know, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t wrong ways to interpret something.

      You can be wrong without it being possible to know.

        • Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Just because it isn’t possible to know doesn’t mean there isn’t a definite correct answer.

          A destination can exist without a pathway to it.

            • Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              What did I have for breakfast this day 20 years ago?

              • You don’t know who I am

              • You don’t know where I live

              • You don’t know what is culturally accepted for breakfast for me

              • You don’t have any way to get a recording/CCTV video of me eating on that day

              You do not have any pathway to arrive at the correct answer. However there is still a correct answer. I did in fact eat breakfast 20 years ago.

              • yetiftw@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                yes but you have to consider that with a religious text there may not have been a single intended interpretation. that’s like half the fun of mysticism after all

                • Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world
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                  2 months ago

                  The problem is still there though, even if there is multiple possible answers.

                  Name any of the meals I had on this day 20 years ago. I almost certainly had more than one meal that day. But there still isn’t a path to get to the correct answer.

                  • yetiftw@lemmy.world
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                    2 months ago

                    okay, here’s a better question: does it matter if an interpretation is wrong? just because it is wrong doesn’t mean it can’t still be valuable