Hi Anon:
You wrote:
> Platt, I Like the test and I think I pass except for some uncertainty about
> what you mean by:
> "Values are a separate category from subjects or objects"
>
> I guess one Pirsigian sounding answer to this would be: no, not on a proper
> understanding of what an object is, ie a static pattern of value. But I
> suspect you're ahead of me on this one.
Here’s the passage from Chap. 5 of Lila where Pirsig says values are
a separate category from subjects and objects:
“The reason values seem so woolly-headed to empiricists is that
empiricists keep trying to assign them to subjects or objects. You can't
do it. You get all mixed up because values don't belong to either group.
They are a separate category all their own.
“What the Metaphysics of Quality would do is take this separate
category. Quality, and show how it contains within itself both subjects
and objects. The Metaphysics of Quality would show how things
become enormously more coherent—fabulously more
coherent—when you start with an assumption that Quality is the
primary empirical reality of the world.”
> Maybe another test question would be:
>
> "Is metaphysics the product of some special local and expendable activity of
> metaphysicians, or just what we all have to do to understand the world around
> us?"
>
> Clumsily worded, but you might have ideas.
Good question. Maybe the relevant passage can be found in ZAMM. A
shorter and somewhat more provocative question along the same line
would be:
Do you believe that if you fail to study metaphysics your thoughts will be
confined for life?
Taken from Lila, beginning of Chap. 12:
“Phaedrus had once called metaphysics "the high country of the
mind"—an analogy to the "high country" of mountain climbing. It takes a
lot of effort to get there and more effort when you arrive, but unless you
can make the journey you are confined to one valley of thought all your
life.”
One of the reasons I was attrached to Pirsig in the first place was his
challenging of the status quo in philosophy. The way "everybody thinks"
has no appeal to me, particulary those who subscribe to scientism.To
those unfamiliar with the MOQ, my list of questions must seem
outrageous--the work of a kook. To know there's a kindred spirit such
as yourself and others on this site is indeed encouraging.
Platt
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