Greetings, Craig --
I wonder if there isn't a compromise between Pirsig's MoQ
& Bo's SOL (the metaphysics of ZMM?). Pirsig emphasizes
static patterns of value. Bo identifies the intellectual level
with Subjects & Objects. But what if Subjects & Objects
are seen as static patterns of value? Doesn't this bridge the
gap between the 2 metaphysics?
Of course it does. But Bo is not contesting Pirsig's concept of subjects
and objects as "patterns of value." He's positing the intellectual level as
SOM --
a "metaphysics of duality" -- and he ascribes this metaphysics to an
evolutionary period in history. He's seduced a few others who claim that
all intellectual precepts reside in this intellectual level, which conflicts
with the author's premise that pure, undefined Quality = Reality.
Look at how he interprets the original block diagram in ZMM:
...in the preliminaries to diagram-drawing Quality is
"pre-intellectual" while "intellectual" is the object
becoming aware of subjects.
Where in Pirsig's writings, old or new, is it stated that "objects become
aware of subjects"? What New Age nonsense is this? We won't advance
metaphysics by turning existence upside down on the theory that epistemology
doesn't matter. Nor will we "transform the world" (Obama-style) into a
Quality Utopia by pretending that subjects and objects don't exist.
In my opinion, any philosophy that cannot accommodate experiential reality
is meaningless, much less worth debating. Sadly, I'm beginning to realize
that no interpretation of the MoQ will lead us to the great enlightenment
that its author anticipated.
For me, Value (Quality) is an aspect of ultimate reality which we are all
privileged to realize as cognizant creatures. Value is the "essence" of our
experience, but we can only know it in a relational sense, as one thing
(phenomenon or pattern) being better or worse than something else. Life is
an individual experience, and Truth, goodness, morality, and wisdom are all
relative to the observing self. If we cannot accept our subjective
individuality and the differentiated world we experience, we will not learn
from participating in it, let alone come up with a metaphysics to explain
its ultimate source.
Your attempt to "bridge the gap" is a noble effort, Craig, and I wish you
success in your venture through Qualityland.
Best regards,
Ham
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