Hi Joe, In its common usage, "evolution" pertains to a process of development. In biology, this development is to adapt to the ever-changing environment. Those would be two paradigms. In MoQ, evolution is simply a process of development. Quality does not develop as a response to something as in the biological paradigm. Quality is an expression of a tendency towards "betterness". Math undergoes evolution in response to our desire to formulate equations for "what is". MoQ also formulates equations for "what is". Pirsig uses the term "evolution" while he could also have used the term "tendency". He is using terminology accessible to all to express his vision. Evolution is the fad of today.
Quality has a tendency to present itself to us humans as levels. These levels are demarcated so as to make the most sense to us. Pirsig uses a systems approach to provide each level with a purpose. In order to progress to the next level, a new purpose becomes necessary. These purposes are ranked in a format so that the hierarchy is a reflection of man's place in the universe. In this format, the "intellectual level" (as defined by man) is ranked at the top. Quality can also be said to exist in levels which are analogized by the musical scale. The tendency towards betterness is a little more complex in this case since notes are differentiated to make a song. However, it can be said that the arrangement of notes results in better or worse songs. The levels as presented by Pirsig can also be arranged so as to form a song. This would be a song of metaphysics or MoQ, and betterness would depend on the arrangement. In any metaphysics, "betterness" could be said to be synonymous with "usefulness". A metaphysics could be very logical, but if it is not useful nobody will care. When you speak of a non-intellectual metaphysics, you are speaking of a spiritual metaphysics. For many, a Christian faith in God does not have to be intellectual since they can "feel" it. If it is present, why try to intellectualize it, for all one does is form the static out of the dynamic? However such Christians are taken to task because they do not have a good "logical reason" to feel God. In MoQ we could be accused of the same thing since we state that DQ cannot be defined. In MoQ we have a logical reason not to define DQ, which is exactly the same reason why God should not be defined. In fact, God cannot be defined just like DQ. In many religions it is seen as useless to try to create a metaphysics as we do in MoQ. In these cultures, DQ truly does remain undefined, but is found through meditation, Yoga, or psychedelics. It would appear that the meaning you take from MoQ would be more along the lines of what feels right. Others choose to find meaning in what feels right logically. There really is no difference there. I am sure that great meaning in one's existence can be discovered through the arrangement of whole notes, whatever the pitch class may be. Music can also be presented through math. Since notes represent a harmonic motion of a string (for example), it is not hard to use wave functions to describe music. In many ways, quantum mechanics is composing music with its equations since they consist of wave functions. In string theory, harmony and symmetry of the functions is important because they "sound good". Again this is no different from appreciating a good song. Certain notes go well together because the cycles per second follow certain mathematical ratios. This makes sense because our ears are machines that have a finite capacity for harmony recognition. One could also say that there is "music" in white noise, or in the precession of the equinoxes. I too find music to be a remarkable method for understanding MoQ. I got much of my musical metaphysics education from reading the writings of Gurjieff especially as told by Ouspensky in "In Search of the Miraculous" (a miraculous book). In that he speaks of the "Law of Seven". Gurjieff was also an interesting composer, and I listen to his music at times. I just Googled the internet, and I can provide you with the following link if you are interested: http://mozart2051.tripod.com/law_of_seven.htm It is said in that link that the teachings of Gurjieff in this sense are similar to those of Pythagorus. I am not enough of an expert to know. I have also read that Pythagorus was a descendant of Hermes. This makes perfect sense to me since Hermes is an incarnation of Thoth. The Hermetic tradition is at the foundation of all great religions (yes even Buddhism), and therefore has strong ties with MoQ. Lots of MoQ topics here if anybody is interested in discussing. Please come prepared. Cheers, Mark On Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 12:01 PM, Joseph Maurer <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Mark, > > I do not know your paradigm for evolution? For myself I am satisfied using > the musical octave as a template for levels in existence. It is difficult > for me to envision a non-intellectual metaphysics since the math of physics > is described intellectually and a description of further evolution would > follow, existence, for the higher intellectual template beyond math for > metaphysics. > > Joe > > > On 3/17/12 11:32 AM, "118" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Joe. >> >> Metaphysics points to the non-intellectual. Water boys keep the team >> going, but do not score the touchdowns. >> >> Mark >> >> On Sat, Mar 17, 2012 at 11:08 AM, Joseph Maurer <[email protected]> wrote: >>> Hi Ron, >>> >>> Metaphysics are intellectual! It's a touchdown! Water boys don't play! >>> >>> Joe >>> >>> >>> On 3/17/12 6:20 AM, "X Acto" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> What can be said is that a MoQ is an intellectual idea about making good >>>> value >>>> distinctions. >>> >>> >>> 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 >> 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 > > > 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 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
