RE: MD Pirsig the postmodernist?

From: Kevin (kevin@xap.com)
Date: Tue Mar 11 2003 - 19:08:56 GMT

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    DMB says:
    No epistemology? Its all intuitive? Well, if empiricism isn't
    epistemology, the MOQ's version of it or otherwise, then nothing is and
    the word has no meaning.

    Kevin:
    Well, empiricism takes a novel approach to metaphysics in general and
    ontology and epistemology specifically. It says that what is real and
    how you know are essentially the same thing by placing very strict rules
    on both.

    Q: What is real?
    A: Experience.
    Q: How do you know?
    A: Because you experience it.

    In the above sense, MoQ parallels empiricism by combinging ontology,
    phenomenonoloy, and epistemology. It answers all 3 in the same way. This
    may provide an elegant cover to allow the MoQ under the tent of formal
    metaphysics, but it's certainly stretching things quite a bit. As Matt
    EE and I have said, perhaps it stretches them far enough that we should
    just be comfortable with dropping the charade of metaphysics and stick
    to pragmatic philosophy which is where the MoQ is strongest--i.e. as a
    tool for *LIVING* rather than a formal systematic approach to ontology
    and epistemology.

    Again, to suggest that Pirsig's project is only metaphysics in a very
    broad sense is a compliment, NOT a criticism, in my book. For those of
    us who find tremendous pragmatic power in the MOQ, we just sometimes
    wish we could drop the guise of formal metaphysics that makes people
    loose themselves in the meaningless minutia of metaphysical paradoxes.

    Recontextualizing and redescripting Reality for greater explanatory
    power, rather than postulating on it's actual composition, is when
    Pirsig is at his post-modern and pragmatic best, IMO.

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