Hi Jon:
Thanks for responding to the Pirsigian test.
JON:
I think we agree on several issues, particularly regarding the scope of
Morality. In the past I've pointed out that "the cold objectivity" which
science utilizes to give us all our current "technological goodness"
could indirectly lead to some of the moral decay we now sense. Glenn,
of course, totally disagrees. I know that you've said you don't want to
"attack" the sci-method, and I'm not asking you to do that, but what are
your views regarding "cold objectivity" contributing to our current moral
decay? Is there any connection in your opinion? Pirsig thinks so, or so
it seems from the following quote:
(LILA page 351: "It's this intellectual pattern of amoral 'objectivity' that
is to blame for the social deterioration of America...")
Yes, I think there is a connection between scientism and moral
decline, helped immeasurably by such philosophers of science as
Popper, Kuhn, and Feyerabend whose irrationalism gave aid and
comfort to the “postmodern” doctrine of “anything goes.” (For a
revealing description of their influence read “Against the Idols of the
Age” by Australian philosopher David Stove.)
JON:
So I think it's fair to say Pirsig considers morality to be as real as
gravity. I wonder how many members agree that Morality and Quality
are the same thing? Platt, you agree. Horse agrees. Jonathan agrees
(i think!). 3WD I'm not sure about. Diana I believe thinks they are
different, and does Ian, Dennis, and probably Glenn. If I'm mistaken,
please let me know. We should do a survey on this issue. We really
should.
That’s the purpose of the Pirsigian test—to see where members come
down on key MOQ claims. Let’s hope everyone reveals where he
stands, one way or the other (always subject to change, of course,
according to the revelations of DQ).
JON:
Why are we going downhill morally? Is Objectivity to blame at all?
That's the question, and I'll end my post with this quote from LILA page
317: "From the perspective of subject-object science, the world is a
completely purposeless, valueless place. There is no point to anything.
Nothing is right and nothing is wrong. Everything is just functions, like
machinery. There is nothing morally wrong with being lazy, nothing
morally wrong with lying, with theft, with suicide, with murder, with
genocide. There is nothing morally wrong because there are no
morals, just functions."
A better description of the ‘‘hard” view of science has never been
penned.
Platt
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