Re: MD Where does quality reside?

From: hampday@earthlink.net
Date: Thu Nov 11 2004 - 17:42:36 GMT

  • Next message: David Morey: "Re: MD Where does quality reside?"

    From: Ham Priday
    To: Platt Holden
    Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 12:40 PM
    Subject: Re: MD Where does quality reside?

    [Platt]:
    > "The universe looks as if it is unfolding according to some plan or
    > blueprint. The input is the cosmic initial conditions, and the output is
    > organized complexity, or depth. The essential feature is that something
    > of value emerges as the result of processing according to some ingenious
    > pre-existing set of rules. These rules look as if they are the product of
    > intelligent design. My own inclination is to suppose that qualities such
    > as ingenuity, economy, beauty, and so on have a genuine transcendent
    > reality -- they are not merely the product of human experience -- and that
    > these qualities are reflected in the structure of the natural world."

    That's very well stated, and isn't it interesting the he has used the terms
    "essential feature", "intelligent design", "transcendent reality", and
    "something of value" in this brief summation? I shall have to look up Paul
    Davies.

    Man is a rational organic system in a reality that is essentially
    non-rational. Reality encompasses him, but he cannot encompass reality.
    All he can do is structure it in terms of his own rationality. This for him
    is truth, and it suffices to get him through the organic process that he
    calls life. The philospher wants something more. He seeks to liberate his
    thinking from its rational bonds, but he lacks the necessary tools. Only the
    mystic, it would seem, has the wisdom to transcend rationality and reach a
    higher truth.

    > Would you be amenable to the notion that your undifferentiated "essence"
    > is the source of those transcendent qualities of which Mr. Davies and Mr.
    > Pirsig speak?

    Absolutely!

    Appreciate your insight, as always, Platt.

    --Ham

    >

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