FIRST THREE CHAPTER SUMMARY
Based on Marco, David B., John, Diana, Jason, Richard, 3WD, Jonathan and
Bodvar's input I have revised the summary of essential concepts in the 1st 3
chapters. On # 2, I softened the importance of peyote as one essential
catalyst and adopted much of Bo's recommended wording. After all, RMP
stressed that the experience and insights of peyote are determined by the
background, past and culture of the individual. I have added key references
from the reading to each of these, and I have added a 4th topic on random
access and the slips.
KEY CONCEPTS:
1) Pirsig clarifies the limitations of objectivity. "There's this
pseudo-science myth that when you are 'objective' you just dissapear from the
face of the earth and see everything undistorted, as it really is, like God
from heaven. But that's rubbish."
2) He highlights that his mystical peyote experience was an important grain
of sand around which the pearl of the MOQ was formed. It helped him to
overcome his objectivity. He even considered structuring the entire book
around the "complex realities and trancendental questions that first emerged
in his mind there."
3) His initial peyote illumination was that Indians are "the originators" of
much of American values, especially the value of Freedom.
4) He provides insights on how the MOQ was compiled using random slips. A
central theme here again is freedom. He speaks of using the slips to free
and empty his mind to make room for the new. He also stresses the quality,
freshness and growth potential that can be leveraged via the freedom of
random access. He allowed the slips almost to organize and categorize
themselves by asking only one simple question, "which came first?."
Would everyone please let me know specifically what you agree or disagree
with on this? Does it capture and record the key concepts of our first
chapters? (Please no dissertations -- we are short on time -- just add,
delete, change, affirm or give your dissent.) I will summarize a final time
later in the week and try to include any concise, referenced, on-topic,
opposing views.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS AND REPLIES:
Note that I agree with David B. that "first" in the above slip-sorting
question refers not to time, but to metaphysical or logical primacy.
3WD is technically correct that we violated our assignment in introducing the
word 'mysticism' in relation to the peyote ceremony. I cannot find where
Pirsig uses the 'M' word in the first 3 chapters. However, David has already
highlighted that Pirsig will circle around to this topic in the final chapter
and clarify that mysticism is EXACTLY what the peyote experience was. Based
on Pirsig's clear description of a mystical experience and later
affirmation, the 'M' word should stand.
Jonathan lost me in his "I don't think the mysticism vs. non-mysticism or
ceremony vs. non-ceremony are issues any more." Do you agree with my summary
of the key concepts, especially # 2, or would you change them?
Bo and Jason suggest " Pirsig didn't build the MOQ around mysticism, he built
it on top of mysticism." Again, this is not something that can be decided
either way after only the first 3 chapters. Obviously David and I have our
views on the issue, but I think we need to keep an open mind and let this
issue be answered when we get to the relevant parts of the book.
Finally, I agree with Diana that we should critically evaluate whether we
concur with Pirsig's allegation about American values being derived from
Indians. I think this is on topic, and quite arguable.
Roger
PS -- 99.5 % of what has been written in this forum this month has been
completely off topic. Members want to continue to bring in all their new
theories and angles and interesting tidbits. These are good reading and all,
but they belong on the MD. Are we unable to actually read a segment of a
book and just comment on it? Sorry to preach, especially to those few that
did focus.
MOQ.org - http://www.moq.org
