From: David Buchanan (DBuchanan@ClassicalRadio.org)
Date: Sun Oct 06 2002 - 22:04:25 BST
Steve:
Q: Does intellect serve itself the way biology and society do? Does the
fourth level of evolution grant freedom only to provide a new way to be
bound as the other levels do? Or is perhaps the highest level one of pure
Freedom?
Pirsig:
"intellect has its own patterns and goals that are as independent of society
as society is independent of biology. A value metaphysics makes it possible
to see that there's a conflict between intellect and society that's just as
fierce as the conflict between society and biology or the conflict between
biology and death. ... But intellect and society are still fighting it out,
and that is the key to an understanding of both the Victorians and the
twentieth century." pages 265-6
"If he had to pick one person who symbolized this shift (from social to
intellectual control of society)more than any other, he would have picked
Woodrow Wilson. The picture of him Phaaedrus would have selected is one in
which Wilson rides through New York City in an open touring car, doffing the
magnificent silk hat that symbolized his high rank in Victorian society.For
a cut line he would select something from one of Wilson's penetrating
speeches that sybolized his high rank in the intellectual community: We must
use our intelligence to stop future war; social institutions can not be
trusted to function morally by themselves; they must be guided by
intellect." pages 270-1
Steve:
Once again, I would appreciate it if someone could help me better understand
this progression of levels. I hope some of you can help me think this
through. If I can get this cleared up, I would like to continue the
discussion into how the idea of freedom could apply to practical morality.
""Teh MOQ says that what is meant by "human rights" is usually the moral
code of intellect vs. society, the moral right of intellect to be free of
social control. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, of travel, trial by
jury, habeas corpus, government by consent - these "human rights" are all
intellect vs. society issues. According to the MOQ these "human rights" have
not just a sentimental basis, but a rational, metaphysical basis. They are
essential to the evolution of a higher level of life from a lower level of
life. They are for real." page 307
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