Hey Erin,
ERIN:
...you made Lila sound like a flake with no direction and now Lila is
dogmatic... I'm confused.
RICK
If I've confused you, I apologize... let me try and set things
straight...
When I say 'dogmatic' what I mean is that the philosophy of LILA is far
more rule oriented... In the MOQ, Q splits into DQ and SQ. SQ splits into
IQ,BQ,SQ, and IQ which are all PoVs. The operation of the system is governed
by certain rules, each level is governed by it's own rules... the rules are
deductively applied to moral conflicts. This is more than a philosophical
stones throw from the "...need we anyone to tell us what is good" of ZMM.
I guess I would concur with Gav's characterization of ZMM as a more
'intuitive' approach to morality and LILA and a more 'rational' one. I
don't think that the two can be fully reconciled... Although I do think that
understanding ZMM's points on 'pre/post-intellectual awareness' and the
'Quality event' are ESSENTIAL to understanding the static/dynamic split of
LILA.
Don't get me wrong... I love LILA deeply. I think that the
static/dynamic split and the nature of DQ are the apex of Pirsig's thoughts.
My problems with LILA are mainly about the levels and the moral guide (and
that 'Good is a noun' claptrap).
In sum...
(1) With respect to the METAPHYSICS I believe the two books (while not
entirely compatible in theory) are basically equals; Both essential to
understanding the MOQ, both surpassingly beautiful... metaphysically
speaking.
(2) With respect to MORAL philosophy, I find ZMM pragmatic and humanistic,
and LILA dogmatic and formalistic.
(3) With respect to LITERATURE I think ZMM is just a better story with
better characters.
Pirsig may think of LILA as smarter, but I don't think he should. If
LILA saw further than its predecessor, it was only because it stood on the
shoulders of a giant (ZMM).
rick
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