From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Thu Nov 18 2004 - 14:28:46 GMT
Hi Arlo:
> "There are no absolutes" is itself an absolute, eh? I guess I can't really
> argue that :-)
>
> For the record, I do believe there are absolute statements we can make,
> such as "freedom is better than slavery". What I urge caution with are the
> extensions of these absolutes in this way: if freedom is better than
> slavery, and we are freer in America than the people of China, then we are
> superior to them, their culture, their beliefs, and everything about
> "them". Or by extensions such as: if we are freer in America than China,
> then it must mean that white people are superior to asians.
Agree.
> In short, I'd make the absolute statement: Just because there exists
> absolutes, does not make everything absolutely dichotomous.
Agree.
> > Of course, let's not make Pirsig "heroified." :-)
>
> I think Pirsig expended effort in LILA to ensure this would not happen. In
> both books (if I recall) he mentions how readers should never see it "as
> anything more than one person writing in one time" (or something to that
> effect), and in LILA he describes his "whoring" (Rigel's view) as a way of
> showing the readers he is not some abstract hero, but a flesh and blood man
> who "pisses, farts and fucks" (again, something like that). "Wouldn't his
> readers love to see the great author now?"
Agree. Pirsig always left me with the impression that he believed he could
be wrong--a fine attitude for us to emulate, along with the ability to
laugh at ourselves.
> One does not have to be heroified to be greatly admired, respected and
> listened to.
Well, that's pretty much my definition of a hero.
> And sorry if I came across as condescending. I was shooting for
> "exasperrated", and must've shot too far. ;-)
No worries. Your expression of exasperation was mild compared to some
contributors who become apoplectic when their opinions are challenged.
Platt
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