Re: MD The Eudaimonic MoQ

From: Steve Peterson (peterson.steve@verizon.net)
Date: Mon May 26 2003 - 13:49:06 BST

  • Next message: Steve Peterson: "Re: MD The Eudaimonic MoQ"

    Hi Sam, DMB, all,

    Sam said:
    >Would you
    > deny that Spock is an outstanding example of an intellectually dominated
    > person, as defined in the
    > standard account?

    Steve says:

    I assume you brought Spock into this because you think that (a) Spock is the
    epitome of an intellectually dominated person and (b) the MOQ says that it
    is best to be intellectually dominated, which would suggest a problem with
    the description of the intellectual level because none of us think that
    Spock is the ideal person.

    DMB seems to disagree with (a) and agree with (b).

    I agree with (a) but not (b).

    I don't think that what is best is to be dominated by intellect. Pirsig
    says what is best is to be free of all static patterns which is often
    interpreted to mean some sort of enlightenment. I think it may also be read
    to mean having everything in balance.

    In Lila, Phaedrus represents intellectual quality (Rigel represents social
    quality, Lila represents biological quality, the boat represents inorganic
    quality). Most of us probably identified most with Phaedrus and assumed
    that what is best is to be like him. None of us wanted to be like Lila or
    Rigel (or the boat).

    But Phaedrus himself is a bit of a Spock, isn't he?

    He is intellectually dominated to the point that he can't really have a
    conversation with someone because his mind starts drifting away. Look at
    how the Narrator in ZAMM deals with his troubled son as well.

    Sam, perhaps intellect as "manipulation of symbols that stand for patterns
    of experience latched as copied rationales" works fine, it's just that it's
    NOT best for experience to be dominated by symbols any more that it should
    be dominated by social roles or emotions and biological urges, but rather to
    have all these aspects of being human in balance. Perhaps that is a good
    description of Eudaimonia.

    Thanks,
    Steve

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