From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Mon Jan 06 2003 - 16:07:42 GMT
Hi Glenn, Steve:
> "Platt Holden" <pholden@sc.rr.com> wrote:
>
> >Hi Steve:
> >
> >> Steve:
> >> Does he really say that the moq is scientific? I wince as I ask, but
> >> could you point me to where he says this?
> >
> >In Chapter 13 of Lila, Pirsig writes:
> >
> >"But what's not so obvious is that, given a value-centered Metaphysics of
> >Quality, it is absolutely, scientifically moral for a doctor to prefer the
> > patient. This is not just an arbitrary social convention that should
> >apply to some doctors but not to all doctors, or to some cultures but not
> >all cultures. It's true for all people at all times, now and forever, a
> >moral pattern of reality as real as H20. We're at last dealing with morals
> >on the basis of reason." (13)
> >
> >If that's not claiming the MOQ is scientific it comes mighty close. Also,
> >note Pirsig's endorsement of absolute truth, "good for all people at all
> >times, now and forever."
>
> This seems to be a reversal on your part, Platt. Struan and I once made the
> argument that this was indeed what he meant, but I thought you argued that
> "scientific" here should be interpreted broadly as having a factual basis,
> and not as science per se. You also argued that this scientific appellation
> only applied to the doctor/germ example, not to his moral taxonomy in
> general. Of course, we still disagreed but treated your interpretation as
> viable. Glenn
Wouldn't be the first time I reversed myself. :-) But, I think you can
make a viable interpretation of Pirsig's meaning either way. I merely
wanted to direct Steve to the pertinent quote. I'd be interested in his
take on it as I was of yours and Struan's a long time back.
Platt
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