Hi Magnus --
In a metaphysical context, "first" means "most important".
Not temporally first.
Excellent point. I suspect several here are relating the first or "primary"
split to the beginning of time. In an experiential sense they're right, of
course, because space/time is the mode of human experience, and experience
cannot occur without awareness being separated from its object. I've found
that stating metaphysical propositions in the present tense (e.g., Essence
creates) lessens the confusion.
Another way to express the DQ/SQ split is to say that
it's the difference between "being" and "becoming". If we compare this to
SOM's first split (the S/O split),
it's actually rather self-evident that the DQ/SQ split is more
basic than S/O.
That depends on how you define "being". If being is your primary source,
its experience as patterns is simply explained as a result of the S/O split.
This is the ontology of Pantheism which views everything in the universe as
a part of the Whole (Being). Pirsig does define the primary source as
Being, however, and neither do I.
Think of it this way:
The S/O split is the split between the subjective observer
and the object being observed. However, nothing is said
about how either the subject or object came to be in
the first place.
The DQ/SQ split however, does. It's the difference between
what is and what may come to be. I can't think of any more
basic split.
That's fine, provided your concept of 'being' is not substance or matter.
For "what comes to be" (existence) is substantive and differentiated,
whereas "what is" is the undifferentiated potential for being.
I applaud your attempt to "re-engineer" metaphysics into Pirsig's
euphemistic philosophy, Magnus, but I don't think you can do this with
Quality as the fundamental essence. Aesthetic value presupposes a sensible
subject and therefore does not transcend the S/O divide.
Your analysis brings to the surface some logical problems in Pirsig's thesis
that need to be resolved. And that's a significant first step in my
opinion.
Essentially yours,
Ham
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