Posted by Catherine J. Schultz on April 25, 2001 at 01:15:11 from 207.175.211.89 :
Paul Pfuetze, (1954) writes; "the problem of the self is perhaps the most Ed and I began our "talkfests" (as we liked to call them) in 1988 when I Ed literally changed my life by introducing me to Mead's concept of the I went on to become a sociologist with Ed sitting on my doctoral committee as I went on to write a book based on my doctoral project entitled BLISS: Yet, I am so pleased to be able to participate in this on-line tribute. Ed While we never used the word 'love' explicitly, I felt truly loved by him as Ed illumined "the truth of the whole man, the essential "I" for this life. I am not I -------------------------------------- Catherine J. Schultz, Ph.D.
elusive, abstruse, and subtle problem in philosophy. We know, or think we
know, so much about a man, about human nature -- and yet we know so little
... Man is one creature who is continually in search of himself, seeking the
conditions and meaning of his existence ... But all these missed the truth of
the whole man, the essential "I". (pg. 2)
chose to take my master's degree with him at UB. I chose the above quote,
because out of all of our hundreds of discussions and e-mails over the years
... I literally have a filing cabinet drawer filled from our correspondence
along with numerous computer disks ... this one was probably pondered the
most. Pfuetze is discussing George Herbert Mead and Martin Buber's ideas
relative to 'the social self'.
social self. I was enamored by the new age movement at the time and the idea
that 'I create my reality'. But I kept feeling stuck and unhappy by this
explanation for the deeper questions of Truth that my mind has always
revolved around. Ed's shared love for these deeper questions, and his
resolution of them through the social self made an enormous impact to say the
least.
well and I cannot describe in words my deep gratitude for his mentorship,
friendship and seemingly limitless generosity and support of my work. I
chose to go to a 'school without walls' for my doctorate and Ed didn't get
much in the way of a stipend for the role which made me feel ever the more
blessed by the enormous time and effort he spent on the endeavor. He thrived
in this academic learner-centered process which he came to believe was the
direction universities should go so as not to suck the life out of the
student. Before his passing, we were discussing ways that he could become an
Internet professor and mentor others in the kind of context we unfolded
together. His academic rigor was unparalleled to any other human being I
have ever met. I delighted at hearing stories of how he met Sorokin and
Cooley and others during the 60's and 70's. Oh, to have been a sociologist
then ... when now it seemed we were just 'counting people doing things' as he
would say. But his love for sociology in its essence was contagious,
particularly sociology of knowledge.
LIVING IN SILENT AWARENESS. And in this endeavor too, he touched my life
with incredible enthusiasm and support. In fact, the evening before his
death he sent me an e-mail which I will always treasure saying how much he
looked forward to my booksigning and wondering about getting together for a
talkfest. I had expected to see him the next day and still feel very shocked
and saddened by his loss.
delighted in the Internet as a means of social exploration, unfolding and
documentation of our collective life. I can think of no better way to
fulfill his legacy.
his student and friend. I never had a teacher who really cultivated the true
meaning of education until him ... which comes from the Latin 'educare'
meaning 'to bring out that which is within'. I loved him dearly.
This is where he and 'Cathy' and all who knew him and loved him will forever
meet. This is what remains of him. What a beloved blessing to have been
able to recognize this in one another before death ... this love that cannot
be denied ... this peace and stillness that is ever present.
I am this one
Walking beside me, whom I do not see,
Whom at times I manage to visit,
And at other times I forget.
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The one who remains silent when I talk,
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The one who will remain standing when I die
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Juan Ramon Jimez (translated by Robert Bly (1990)
Good-bye my beloved friend, Ed. I will miss our talkfests terribly. Yet I
find you again now in silence and treasure each moment anew of your beautiful
presence in my life. Thank you so very much for the extraordinary gift of
your life and for molding and shaping mine so fearlessly, knowing full well
that the journey must be taken together, and deeper still ... all is one.
Asheville, NC
thinkholism@aol.com