[Ron]
SOM is not reason.
[Arlo]
Correct. "SOM" is a particular metaphysical
stance that posits that the primary division of
"reality" is subjects and objects. Pirsig's MOQ
is also a particular metaphysical stance that
posits instead that the primary division of "reality" is dynamic and static.
"There already is a metaphysics of Quality.
A subject-object metaphysics is in fact a
metaphysics in which the first division of
Quality - the first slice of undivided experience
is into subjects and objects." (LILA)
"What he had seen is that there is a metaphysical
box that sits above these two boxes, Quality
itself. And once he'd seen this he also saw a
huge number of ways in which Quality can be
divided. Subjects and objects are just one of the ways." (LILA)
I am convinced that the people who use the label
"SOM" the most are the ones who understand it the least.
Another interesting LILA passage...
"If subjects and objects are held to be the
ultimate reality then we're permitted only one
construction of things - that which corresponds
to the "objective" world-and all other
constructions are unreal. But if Quality or
excellence is seen as the ultimate reality then
it becomes possible for more than one set of
truths to exist. Then one doesn't seek the
absolute "Truth." One seeks instead the HIGHEST
QUALITY INTELLECTUAL EXPLANATION OF THINGS [Note:
Such as Pirsig's MOQ. -Arlo] with the knowledge
that if the past is any guide to the future this
explanation must be taken provisionally; as
useful until something better comes along. One
can then examine intellectual realities the same
way he examines paintings in an art gallery, not
with an effort to find out which ONE is the
"real" painting, but simply to enjoy and keep
those that are of value. There are MANY SETS of
intellectual reality [Note: Pirsig had just
referred to SOM as one of these possible sets.
-Arlo] in existence and we can perceive SOME to
have more quality than others, but that we do so
is, in part, the result of our history and
current patterns of values." (LILA, emphasis and notes mine).
Moq_Discuss mailing list
Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc.
http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org
Archives:
http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/
http://moq.org/md/archives.html
