Two points in response to Rob and Roger:
1. Pirsig completely harmonizes intellectual and mystical experience
On page 74 of Lila, Pirsig answers the mystic objection to a Metaphysics of
Quality. He admits that writing a metaphysics, that is intellectualizing
the unintellectualizeable is a "degenerate acitivity." But concludes, as
humans with brains, any intellectual activity is degenerative. We are
intellectual creatures and we best just get over it. Yes, the intellect
cannot comprehend dynamic quality completely. Yes, logic is too regressive
and trapping to get with the "flow." But it still exists and its best to
try to intellectualize everything and then realize the limits of the
intellect than to attempt to say the intellect is unimportant and discard
it. We need our intellect. By admitting the need and transcend it, Pirsig
brings harmony between the war against the mystic fought by the modern
intellectual.
2. The static levels are absolutely necessary
Without the static there can be no dynamic. Without order there can be no
freedom. Without limitation there can be no transcendence of limitation. We
need obstacles in order to learn to jump over obstacles. Matter, Life,
Society, and Intellect are just some obstacles we need to balance against
Dynamic Quality. But Pirsig's theory of static latches explains this better
than I can - page 169-71 of Lila.
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