From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Tue Nov 26 2002 - 01:02:43 GMT
Hi Rick:
> PIRSIG 1
> For purposes of MOQ precision, let's say the intellectual level is the
> same as mind. It is the collection and manipulation of symbols, created in
> the brain, that stand for patterns of experience.
>
> PIRSIG 2
> In the MOQ all organisms are objective. The exist in the material
> world. All societies are subjective. They exist in the mental world.
> Again the distinction is very sharp.
>
> RICK (from last time)
> Quote #1 clearly states that "the intellectual level is the same as
> mind". Yet, quote #2 states that "All societies... exist in the mental
> world." Unless there is some meaningful difference between "mind" and "the
> mental world" then these two quotes taken together would add up to saying
> that all societies exist in the intellectual level. Yet, that obviously
> can't be right given the very design of the static levels. The most
> frustrating part of this is that in both of the quotes Pirsig claims he is
> acting in the interest of precision (a sharp distinction).
> Anybody care to try and reconcile these quotes?
Certainly you have a point. For me the solution is to equate mind with
intellect, both of which have been around since the first human, but not
equate mind with the intellectual 'level' which didn't come into its own
until the ancient Greek civilization and didn't become dominant until
after World War I. If you regard intellect (mind) and intellectual level as
having two distinct meanings (though of course related) it helps to
resolve the problem you raise. Another way to resolve it is to think of
mind (intellect) as an individual attribute of each human whereas the
intellectual level represents the collective attribute of human knowledge
in general. This may be what Pirsig had in mind :-) in defining the
intellectual level in quote 1 above.
Platt
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