Hello Squonk --
Your "thought experiment" (note the correct spelling) seems to be receiving a lot of attention. Assuming that this is a serious proposal, I wonder how you would implement your experiment in society. For example, who would you appoint to administer it? Would it be set up as a commune in the manner of B.F. Skinner's 'Walden Two', or would it be organized by the state using a panel of consulting psychologists?
Apart from the feasibility of such a program, I have some serious reservations about the premises on which it is based. Here is how you outlined them on 6/26, with modifications by Craig and Chris:
1a. The moq states that static patterns block DQ. 1c. Proposition B: Some static patterns are more dynamic than others. 2.?(modified 26-6-08) Those static patterns which are more dynamic? maximise DQ and potential for further evolution. 3. It is therefore a moral imperative to promote 2.
Your moral imperative would appear to be based on a speculative interpretation of DQ, which was never clearly defined by the author and is considered by many as a valuistic metaphor. Can Craig document Pirsig's statement that "static patterns block DQ"? In his interview with Baggini, he said: "As to which is more important, Dynamic or static, both are absolutely essential, even when they are in conflict. As stated in LILA, without Dynamic Quality an organism cannot grow. But without static quality an organism cannot last." (I'm not even sure that he accepts the idea that DQ an exist independently of SQ patterns.)
4. Proposition C. Mystical experience (of DQ) does not come through the sense organs. 5. Sense organs are therefore not required.
Perhaps not, but most of what we value involves experience which definitely involves the senses. Does isolating the child from experiential values promote "mystical" cognizance? From what I've read on autism, social isolation is at the core of this malady, and I know of no autistic or feral child who has benefited psychically or intellectually from the condition.
(The following modified thanks to Chris) 6. From 3: Proposition A (modified 22-6-08): Isolating organic brains from sense experience on an industrial scale prevents static patterns from blocking DQ.
What, exactly, do you mean by isolating brains "on an industrial scale"? Is this some kind of AI technology that I haven't yet heard about? I've had enough physiology to know that the brain does not function 'in vitro' but requires a central nervous system distributed throughout the body. If you plan to isolate the brains of children in your experiment, you might as well decapitate them. Better yet, if DQ can be gained by destroying SQ, why not get rid of people and be done with it?
Sorry for the sarcasm, Squonk, but this is how your "thought experiment 1" comes across to me.
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