Hi Rick:
Thanks for responding to the Pirsigian test.
PIRSIG (from RICK):
"...conventional reason bears it out. The material object of observation
can't be right or wrong. Molecules are molecules. The don't have any
ethical codes to follow except those people give them." (ZAMM chap.
14, 146).
RICK:
I think Pirsig was closer to the truth in ZAMM when he wrote the quote
above. He has neglected his own advice and assigned ethical codes
to molecules (and eveything else in the universe) via the MoQ.
Accepting the above means rejecting at least the Inorganic level of the
MoQ and at most the entire Quality=Morality equation (and thus the
whole MoQ). Bodvar (and possibly even Pirsig himself) have
dismissed much of ZAMM's philosophy as "abortive" or
"experimental"... despite this, I still think Pirsig got it right the first time.
After all... "...beginners are usually quicker than experts..." (LILA chap.
9,138).
Good thing he qualified that last statement by �usually.� In his
continuing search for truth, Pirsig ultimately rejected the classic-
romantic division of ZAMM for the static-Dynamic Quality split of LILA,
allowing him to reveal a much deeper reality.
PIRSIG:
�Since this whole metaphysics had started with an attempt to explain
Indian mysticism Phaedrus finally abandoned this classic-romantic
split as a choice for a primary division of the Metaphysics of Quality.
The division he finally settled on was one he didn't really choose in any
deliberative way. It was more as if it chose him.� (LILA Chap 9.)
As to whether molecules experience anything or behave according to
an ethic, I refer you to Alfred North Whitehead (who Pirsig mentions as
a mentor) because in his philosophy each actual entity is capable of
prehensions that involve feelings, emotions, consciousness, and so
on. This is called panpsychism, a subject you�ll find many references
to on the Web if interested.
PIRSIG
�The question of whether an electron does a certain thing because it
has to or because it wants to is completely irrelevant to the data of what
the electron does. So what Phaedrus was saying was that not just life,
but everything, is an ethical activity.� (LILA Chap 12.)
Platt
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