David, Horse & Matthew:
David, your attempt to equate 'many truths' with "vague and irrational views"
and with a "whatever seems right until tomorrow" attitude... was a gross
distortion. No reasonable member of this forum is suggesting that there is
quality in vague and irrational views.
Your attempt to then explain the many truths concept by limiting it to the
four levels of the MOQ also distorts and oversimplifies the MOQ, and worse,
it wraps it in objectivity. Pirsig's own words are quite different than what
you offer as a solution....
"Unlike SOM, the MOQ does not insist on a single exclusive truth. If
subjects and objects are held to be the ultimate reality then we're permitted
only one construction of things -- that which corresponds to the 'objective'
world -- and all other constructions are unreal. But if quality or
excellence is seen as the ultimate reality then it becomes possible for more
than one set of truths to exist. Then one doesn't seek the absolute 'Truth.'
One seeks instead the highest quality intellectual explanation of things
with the knowledge that if the past is any guide to the future this
explanation must be taken provisionally; as useful until something better
comes along. One can then examine intellectual realities the same way he
examines paintings in an art gallery, not with an effort to find which one is
the 'real' painting, but simply to enjoy and keep those of value." (Ch 8)
He then goes on to explain the MOQ and SOM are both 'sets of coordinates' to
interpret reality.
Matthew, you are right that there is a measuring stick for truth. And you
are right that it is direct experience against which we ultimately measure.
But there are infinite ways to paint a picture of experience. Which details
of the experience are important? Which brushstrokes best capture the
experience? What is the background of the painter and of the audience? How
can the experience be depicted in such a way as to not contradict other
paintings? How can two dimensions best represent the four of the original
event? Economy. Simplicity. Elegance. Insight .
Roger
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
Mail Archive - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
MD Queries - horse@wasted.demon.nl
To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Aug 17 2002 - 16:00:38 BST