From: Joseph Maurer (jhmau@sbcglobal.net)
Date: Tue Aug 17 2004 - 19:40:24 BST
On 17 August 2004 9:00AM Platt writes to Wim, Mel:
Platt:
My question is: Why does Pirsig flip-flop between individuals and
societies in regards to equality?
(Snip)
"It's this intellectual pattern of amoral "objectivity" that is to blame for
the social deterioration of America, because it has undermined the
static social values necessary to prevent deterioration. In its
condemnation of social repression as the enemy of liberty, it has never
come forth with a single moral principle that distinguishes a Galileo
fighting social repression from a common criminal fighting social
repression. It has, as a result, been the champion of both. That's the
root of the problem." (Lila, 24)
It looks to me that Pirsig is of two minds about "equality." It's OK to
appeal to equality when fighting class distinctions and guaranteeing
protections from an authoritarian government, but not OK when comparing
the worth of societies or individuals to the evolution of life.
Hi Platt, Wim, Mel and all,
I hope you don't mind my editing. I was struck by something Ant McWatt wrote
in another thread on 13 August 2004 6:45 PM:
Ham Priday 12-08-04 It seems to me that, considering the circumstances, the
American community must be willing to give up certain civil liberties
(including the right of foreigners to enter our borders) in the interest of
preserving Freedom for all, just as a child must be deprived of certain
liberties in order to learn how to exercise personal Freedom responsibly in
a free society.
Ant McWatt 13-08-04 It's depressing to read this as once I would have
believed the sentiments regarding civil liberties as sincerely as Ham (and
no doubt Platt) does. It is also certainly a pity that Bush Junior hasn't
taken on board the pertinent sentiment about exercising personal Freedom
responsibly. From the MOQ perspective, the most damaging effect by the "War
on Terror" is on Dynamic Quality. If, for instance, the free flow of people,
ideas and trade is restricted within the States (on tenuous grounds) the
Dynamism of its social and intellectual systems is correspondingly reduced.
The potential for Dynamic development in all fields in the States is
tremendous and it is matter of concern to see this potential being held
back. It's one thing to be personally greedy (as no doubt the Bush-Bin
Ladens are) but to compromise the free trade of industry and culture outside
the oil industry is extremely selfish and short-sighted.
Ham Priday 12-08-04 Cynics like yourself no longer believe what Government
tells them, hence convince themselves that it's all a ploy by the
politicians to win votes. Unfortunately, the cynicism that prevents our
seeing objective reality as it
is won't make the terrorist threat go away.
Ant McWatt 13-08-04 Unfortunately, the gullibility that prevents our seeing
"objective" reality as it is, won't make the ruling elites or their static
orientated behaviour go away either. Moreover, it's rarely a good idea to
believe any politician (of whatever political persuasion) on face value
joe: to answer your question I would say situational DQ for individuals
should be maximized by equality within a society.
The ruling elites in their static orientated behavior embody the order in
the society. Judgements on that order are valuable. Equal judgements on
order occur only in mystical apprehensions or in propagation of dogma.
Joe Maurer
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