On Feb 23, 2013, at 1:40 PM, Horse wrote:

> Hi Marsha
> 
> I've got to say that I agree with DMB about the contradiction of terms within 
> your definition of self.
> If something is static or stable how can it be ever-changing?

Patterns may maintain a static, stable identity at the same time as they and 
their context are undergoing constant change. Think of the Ship of Theseus, or 
a parade (Hume) where everyone drops out but is replaced so that the parade is 
maintained, or the body with its cells constantly being replaced... 


> If something is static or stable it tends not to change over time or if it 
> does change it changes slowly, thus retaining it's stability.

RMP is known as a Process philosopher, and process is change.  Within the 
interaction with an individual, a pattern is constantly changing as the context 
changes and each pattern event rolls back into itself to be renewed.  But maybe 
read the essay on Whitehead and Pirsig by Andrew Sneddon.  Value is all about 
activity.  

And there is the Buddhist perspective where change is central.  


> If something is ever-changing then it tends to be unstable and/or chaotic.

My examples of Ship of Theseus, a parade and the body do not involve 
instability or chaos.  In fact the change is a requirement of proper 
functioning. 



> Patterns of value that are stable persist over time which would appear to be 
> the antithesis of your definition.

I stress ever-changing because I like the Buddhist perspective, but it would be 
the same within process philosophy.  In Wikipedia RMP is mentioned directly.  

"Process philosophy (or ontology of becoming) identifies metaphysical reality 
with change and development. Since the time of Plato and Aristotle, 
philosophers have posited true reality as "timeless", based on permanent 
substances, whilst processes are denied or subordinated to timeless substances. 
IfSocrates changes, becoming sick, Socrates is still the same (the substance of 
Socrates being the same), and change (his sickness) only glides over his 
substance: change is accidental, whereas the substance is essential. Therefore, 
classic ontology denies any full reality to change, which is conceived as only 
accidental and not essential. This classical ontology is what made knowledge 
and a theory of knowledge possible, as it was thought that a science of 
something in becoming was an impossible feat to achieve.[1]

"In opposition to the classical model of change as purely accidental and 
illusory (as by Aristotle), process philosophy regards change as the 
cornerstone of reality–the cornerstone of the Being thought as Becoming. Modern 
philosophers who appeal to process rather than substance include Nietzsche, 
Heidegger,Charles Peirce, Alfred North Whitehead, Robert M. Pirsig, Charles 
Hartshorne, Arran Gare and Nicholas Rescher. In physics Ilya Prigogine[2] 
distinguishes between the "physics of being" and the "physics of becoming". 
Process philosophy covers not just scientific intuitions and experiences, but 
can be used as aconceptual bridge to facilitate discussions among religion, 
philosophy, and science.[3]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_philosophy  

But the two-part essay by Andrew Sneddon is well worth a read.  

> 
> If you insist that static patterns of value are ever changing - i.e. stable 
> patterns are unstable - would you mind showing how you manage to overcome 
> what appears to be an inconsistency in your definition.

Philosophy often requires refining terminology.  I've tried to do that.  But 
you cannot please everyone. 

"Unlike subject-object metaphysics the Metaphysics of Quality does not insist 
on a single exclusive truth."   (LILA, Chapter 8)

 
> I think I see what you're getting at but this part of your definition just 
> doesn't appear to make sense and repeating it over and over offers no 
> explanation.

I suppose it is my poor attempt at defending my position when it is being 
attacked.  I am not attacking anyone and invite other perspectives.  I realize 
different points-of-view will appeal to different people.  


Marsha
 

> 
> Cheers
> 
> Horse
> 
> 
> 
> On 23/02/2013 09:18, MarshaV wrote:
>> Greetings,
>> 
>> Re: self & static patterns of value
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> One definition I provide is concerning 'self'.  If one asks:  What is the 
>> relationship between the individual and static quality?  I'd answer: "The 
>> “self” is a flow of ever-changing, conditionally co-dependent and 
>> impermanent static patterns: inorganic patterns, biological patterns, social 
>> patterns and intellectual patterns of value flowing in the infinite field of 
>> Dynamic Quality."
>> 
>> My definition of static patterns of value is of repetitious and 
>> ever-changing process:
>>  Static patterns of value are repetitive processes, conditionally 
>> co-dependent, impermanent and ever-changing, that pragmatically tend to 
>> persist and change within a stable, predictable pattern.  Within the MoQ, 
>> these patterns are morally categorized into a four-level, evolutionary, 
>> hierarchical structure:  inorganic, biological, social and intellectual. 
>> Static quality exists in stable patterns relative to other patterns:  
>> patterns depend upon ( exist relative to) innumerable causes and conditions 
>> (patterns), depend upon (exist relative to) parts and the collection of 
>> parts (patterns), depend upon (exist relative to) conceptual designation 
>> (patterns). Patterns have no independent, inherent existence.  Further, 
>> these patterns pragmatically exist relative to an individual's static 
>> pattern of life history.
>> 
>> 
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> 
> -- 
> 
> "Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production 
> deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid."
> — Frank Zappa
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