RE: MD Making sense of it

From: Kevin (kevin@xap.com)
Date: Fri Jan 17 2003 - 18:59:42 GMT

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    Platt said:

    Thanks Kevin. I wish I could respond to your question about the
    public/private split but admit I haven't paid much attention to the
    idea.
    So I really can't answer except to say I agree with Pirsig:

    "To put philosophy in the service of any social organization or any
    dogma is immoral. It's a lower form of evolution trying to devour a
    higher
    one." (29)

    I hope that's relevant. As you know, my bias has always been towards
    the individual rather than the group. I'm very wary of anything proposed

    in the name of the "public good" because of the horrors perpetrated
    under that banner.

    Kevin:
    I'll give credit to Matt for articulating the public/private split idea
    in a way that made it a very good solution to the problems I've had with
    the MOQ in the past.

    Essentially, the MOQ is most effective as a private tool for
    self-perfection. It is potentially disastrous as a public tool for
    deciding public policy (as is most philosophical ideas since they rely
    on such personal affirmation).

    I think the Pirsig quote above illustrates that Pirsig himself
    recognized the potential for disastrous misuse of his ideas if they were
    put to political ends.

    I believe very strongly in the principles of cooperation for achieving
    much good. That, however, relies on individuals who have an eye for
    Goodness. Individuals should push society towards Betterment. To reverse
    those roles creates enormous opportunities for tyranny.

    -Kevin

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