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From: Iansito
Date: 11/1/99
Time: 7:49:35 PM
Remote Name: 12.78.106.122
Ms. Laudadio has uncovered an interesting quote in which William discusses the problems inherent in interpretation. What is significant is that the validity of the Scriptures as a means of authoritative discourse is called into question. While the two parties are at each other's throats, using the Bible as an ideological and political weapon, William is relating to Adso (thus the reader) the impossibility of such an argument based on proper interpretation. What is ultimately revealed is not the reality of "Divine" utterance, but the relation between exegesis and power- religious, political, etc. Thus, the Bible and any interpretation is solely an ideological effort and the object itself is reduced to a text. When this occurs, the text can then be made available to all social classes and all interpretations. Inevitably, the ramifications would lead to a reversal in the power structure, wherein the lower classes would be just as validated as any other. All parties are aware of this. It would seem that this is the essential problem implied in the debates