MD'er
Statements about the relationship between levels such as this keep coming up
again and again:
> > Within each level, you can make quality decisions, but you can't
> > make quality comparisons BETWEEN levels. That contradicts their
> > independent nature.
Bo recently pointed out that we need to keep in mind that higher levels have
means of accessing the lower ones. It is crucial not to overlook the
qualifiers [my CAPS below] Pirsig uses when establishing the levels and their relationships.
“..although the four systems are exhaustive they are NOT EXCLUSIVE. They all
operate at the same time and in ways that are ALMOST independent of each
other.” Lila-pp149
THEY ARE ONE, not exclusive and they all operate TOGETHER at the same time in
ways that are ALMOST independent. Thus it must be maintained that the
relationship between levels are BOTH INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT. Although
Pirsig ,as the quotes below show, stresses the independent nature;
********
“This classification of patterns is not very original, but the Metaphysics of
Quality allows an assertion about them that is unusual. It says they are not
continuous. They are discreet. They have very little to do with one another.
Although each higher level is built on a lower one it is not an extension of
that lover level. Quite the contrary. The higher level CAN OFTEN BE SEEN to be
in opposition to the lower level, dominating it , controlling it where
possible for its own purposes. ” Lila-pp 149
"Intellect is not an extension of society any more than society is an
extension of biology." pg. 189
"...isolation of these static moral codes was important. They were really
little moral empires all their own, as separate from one another as the static
levels whose conflicts they resolved:" pg. 187
"The static patterns that hold one level of organization together are often
the same patterns that another level of organization must fight to maintain
its own existence." pg. 188
********
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