Re: MD Essentialist and anti-essentialist

From: Scott Roberts (jse885@cox.net)
Date: Fri Sep 16 2005 - 20:18:36 BST

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    Paul,

    >[Scott said]>....So while Magliola does not use the word
    >>'universal', the function of that word is there in the phrase "connected
    >>experience" and "dependently arisen".
    >
    >Paul said: Then let's use those words instead.
    >
    >Scott said:
    >I think it is advisable to keep in mind that those (Magliola's) words are
    >substitutes for 'universal'

    Paul: Can you show me where this is stated?

    Scott:
    It's stated by me. Derrida's need to bring in trace, and Magliola's
    referring to "connected experience" are there because universals are real
    (albeit non-self-existent), a necessary factor in all experience.

    >
    >Paul said: Again, I think dependently originated static patterns does the
    >trick
    >whenever you feel the need to bring in 'universal' and 'particular'.
    >
    >Scott said:
    >But I don't see particulars in SPOV, just universals, so how does it do the
    >trick?

    Paul said: Because it repudiates the universal/particular distinction
    whilst
    allowing us to talk about 'things'.

    Scott:
    It does not allow us to talk about language and intellect. "Static patterns"
    are universals, and "dependently originated" just emphasizes that universals
    are not inherently self-existent. So there is no way with this 'trick' to
    distinguish, for example, between signified and signifier, to show how they
    are mutually dependent in that they bring each other into being, yet in
    doing so negate each other. With contradictory identity one can distinguish
    without assuming an absolute separation (which leads to SOM). But in the
    MOQ, one has simply ignored the problem (the what, how, whence, and why of
    language and intellect) entirely.

    >Scott prev:
    >Ok. I can agree that a temporary privileging is useful for those who only
    >know of the conventional view. But it is harmful if used as a basis for
    >building a metaphysics.

    Paul said: Possibly. But perhaps metaphysics inevitably operates purely as
    samvrti-satya. This provides a neat 'solution' to Pirsig's self-confessed
    contradiction:

    "Since a metaphysics is essentially a kind of definition and since Quality
    is essentially outside definition, this means that a "Metaphysics of
    Quality" is essentially a contradiction in terms, a logical absurdity."
    [LILA, p73]

    The MOQ is justified from the perspective of samvrti-satya whereas no
    metaphysics may be justified from the perspective of paramartha-satya.

    Scott:
    Ah, but the question is whether a metaphysics based on CI is or is not a
    paramartha-satya perspective (or muddies the distinction between the two
    perspectives -- yet another CI, or puts into question the idea that a
    metaphysics is a perspective on something non-metaphysical). The quote from
    Pirsig only applies if one accepts his anti-intellectual understanding of
    mysticism, his belief that intellect lies solely in the realm of samsara.

    - Scott

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