Hi Rob:
Thanks for your answer as to why you do not place terrorism at the
biological level. I'm still not sure if you disagree with Pirsig or whether
you disagree with my interpretation of Pirsig.
> P.S. He said might-makes-right is biological, I agree. The terrorists
> acknowledge the might of the superior American military and yet think the
> Americans are wrong. Would that not prove that they, in fact, aren't
> biological?
Terrorists believe they can overcome military might by killing civilians
wantonly, thereby causing society to seek peace and withdraw its
support of the military, such as what happened in the Vietnam war. The
fact that they have miscalculated (at least about the U.S.) shows they
aren't as smart as you give them credit for. Nor do people who hide out
in caves give one reason to regard them as socially or intellectually
gifted.
There are many different tactics using "might" (meaning physical force
in this context) that can be chosen to accomplish your objectives, but
all involve slaughter, bloodletting, killing (or threats thereof)--biological
level values. But regardless of the means (whether a bomb strapped to
your body or a hi-jacked plane used as a guided missle), those who
seek to gain by initiating the use of physical force have, by their act,
employed the morality of the jungle. This is what I think Pirsig means
by saying "rule by terror. . . the old biological might-makes-right morality
. . ." Further, when Pirsig refers to a "a soldier with his gun" he is saying
that intiators of physical force must be met by physical force, not
appeased by palaver.
Contrary to your belief that I underestimate terrorists, those who act at
the level of biological morality are more likely to be underestimated
than an enemy who is thought to have human qualities of intelligence
and compassion. Animals do not conduct their battles under
international rules of war.
Fortunately, DQ has left in its wake the situation where right makes
might. In a world where morality is reality, no one should be surprised.
Platt
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