On 31 Aug 2010 at 12:40, [email protected] wrote:
ello Ade, I think all Pirsig means by his last sentence in the above quote is that we can't escape from making judgments. That may seem obvious. But it's one of those universal facts (like the present moment) that is often either ignored, accepted without question, or brushed aside as unimportant. What's unique about PIrsig's metaphysics is his application of judgment-making to all worldly phenomena, judgments made in response to Dynamic Quality. Most such responses are now frozen in permanent static patterns, like iron filings now always preferring to cling to magnets. But, though we're made up of millions of static patterns, we humans still have the ability to respond to the force of Dynamic Quality, whether we call it God, the One, the Absolute, the Creator, Arete, Excellence, Virtue, Higher Power, Beauty, or you-name-it --the force of evolutionary creation is out there, waiting for us connect and follow its call to perfection and freedom. . But, I could be wrong, Regards, Platt Hello Platt, You have stated it succinctly. Thank you sir. The moq is very much not unique in applying an ability to judge in the manner you describe as i keep discovering. It's central to many beliefs, but rejected by modernity. I'll grant you that. Shopenhauer is rejected for the same reason for example, and his notion of the Universal Will is restricted to living things only by those who choose to take him seriously. It is Shopenhauer who spoke of magnets having a preference to do what they do, and it is also held by Aristotle that things fall to the ground because they prefer to do so. When Shopenhauer writes about the Universal Will, i do take him seriously. So when the moq says the same thing i take it seriously also. Because Robert Pirsig is ruminating his thoughts in the novel he doesn't list the possible sources that may have informed this thinking. Which i do not argue with and accept for what it is. What is unique about the moq in my opinion is that it is an individuation of our commonly held heritage. If we connect to this as you say we have the opportunity to ripen as individuals. By the way, i wish it were true that the moq is as unique as appears to be believed, but i can't hold this view in the light of what i read and interpret. Like you, i understand that i may be wrong also. I don't think this detracts from the books? I would never avoid recommended them. Hello Ade, I'm a great fan of Schopenhauer, primarily because, as Will Durant writes, "He saw that the ultimate good is beauty, and that the ultimate joy lies in the creation and cherishing of the beautiful." If there is a central theme to my life that would be it. Regretfully I never made enough money to fund the creation and collection of great beauty like the Carnegies, Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, but what little excess I had over daily needs has been directed toward that goal. One need not be a millionaire to surround himself with beautiful things. A child's finger painting can qualify. As you point out, other philosophers besides Pirsig have identified a creative evolutionary force leading to perfection -- the concept of teleology. Perhaps its most prominent recent proponent was Teilhard de Chardin. Pirsig acknowledges teleology in "Lila" but claims his metaphysics satisfies not only those who believe it, but also Darwinians who don't. He wrote: "Good! The "undefined fittest" they are defending is identical to Dynamic Quality. Natural selection is Dynamic Quality at work. There is no quarrel whatsoever between the Metaphysics of Quality and the Darwinian Theory of Evolution. Neither is there a quarrel between the Metaphysics of Quality and the "teleological" theories which insist that life has some purpose. What the Metaphysics of Quality has done is unite these opposed doctrines within a larger metaphysical structure that accommodates both of them without contradiction." (Lila, 11) Perhaps you'll agree with me that joining these disparate views is unique. I certainly agree with you that Pirsig's emphasis on individuation is not only central to his philosophy, but a necessary condition to achieve Dynamic Quality's highest good -- freedom. In any case, it's a pleasure to exchange ideas with you. Thank you. Regards, Platt 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
