From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Sun Apr 17 2005 - 15:05:16 BST
Hi Joe,
> When I awakened this morning, a part of my routine began to annoy me. That
> part when I ponder: "I want to strive from the beginning of my existence to
> pay for my arising and my individuality as quickly as possible." I will ask
> Platt to enlighten me what is the metaphysical basis of 'payment'? Is it a
> law like the law of gravity? It certainly seems to make things run
> smoother. Is it just a convention? Since Pirsig uses 'value' as an
> argument, I do not think I am off-base with that question. Does payment
> cross levels, and what is the coin? Payment as the analogue: "Take that to
> the bank",.
"Payment" is a social level convention required by the law that "There
ain't no free lunch." We must work to provide the goods and services
required for our survival. By division of labor we're able to accomplish
much more than if each of us had to do everything alone to ensure our
survival. This brings about exchanges of goods and services which
constitute payments. Money is used as a more convenient medium of exchange
than payment in actual goods or services. "Take that to the bank" is an
expression of trust because banks are thought to be places where you can
safely store surplus money.
Pirsig makes the point that values are empirical because every time we
make a payment for goods or services, we express a value.
What you have to pay to ensure your existence and individuality is to a
large degree your choice. If you are satisfied with mere subsistence, you
can choose to provide for the necessities by doing menial labor, using
your free time to express your individuality in whatever way you find
satisfying. Some of history's most valuable works were created by
individuals who followed that path, although many had patron to help them
over the really rough times.
Best,
Platt
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