From: Ant McWatt (antmcwatt@hotmail.co.uk)
Date: Wed Nov 30 2005 - 16:45:31 GMT
Gav had said:
what if (re)discovering mysticism is the key to taking care of
poverty (and everything else)?
Matt replied November 29th:
Sure, that's what would be argued against me, but I can't find much reason
to think that. I think it would be like arguing that finding God is a
prerequisite to taking care of poverty. I think we can take care of poverty
whether or not we rediscover mysticism, find God, or all become pragmatists.
Clearly this is a contentious issue, maybe especially around here, but I'm
just not sure how you'd connect the rediscovery of mysticism together with
the reduction of poverty in a more plausible way than Christians have been
doing for many, many (many) years…
I'm always interested in hearing the narratives people construct to connect
the issue. Sometimes, like Pirsig's, they really are quite imaginative and
instructive. But at the end of the day, I can't really figure out how they
are supposed to help us pass legislation to make systemic inequalities
disappear. They may help us be better human beings, but I'm not sure how
they help on the Senate floor. I can see in a broad, long-term sense how
they might help, like how I think humanity would be better off in the long
run if they became commonsensically pragmatists, but in the short-run I
can't see how it will help.
Ant McWatt comments:
Well, even if mysticism assists in eradicating poverty in the long term, it
would be worthwhile. Moreover, unlike Christianity, in the short run
Pirsig's ideas can help you personally with your motorcycle maintenance
(and, as I'm finding out at the moment, some decorating)!
I also think it's a good idea to distinguish between material poverty and
intellectual/spiritual poverty. For instance, materially the West is first
world status area (and, even then, not for everyone) while spiritually it
often seems like a third world one.
Best wishes,
Anthony
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