From: Joe (jhmau@sbcglobal.net)
Date: Tue Jul 08 2003 - 17:45:02 BST
On 7 July 2003 9:08 AM Platt writes to Rick:
Platt:
What "tool" of survival does a biological brain give a human if not
intellect--"the collection and manipulation of symbols in the brain?"
After all, a mouse has a biological brain, but exhibits no evidence of
abstract thought. How do you explain the cave paintings at Lascaux if not by
the symbolic brain power of prehistoric humans?
You appear to be advocating that early man had automatic knowledge of how to
survive, i.e., his instincts allowed him to make the Darwinian cut. I would
suggest that man's distinction from animals is his need to choose in the
face of alternatives. He has no automatic knowledge of what course of action
he must take to stay alive like wolves do. As you point out, his only tool
of defense is his brain. Man must get his knowledge and choose his actions
by using his brain to think with, that is, by utilizing intellectual
patterns, rudimentary as they might have been in those early stages.
Jonathan wrote that the potential for the evolution of all levels emerged
with the Big Bang. I agree. Subsequent evolution is a history of level
dependence and dominance. All levels had found a "home" when humans emerged.
Then the social level, followed by the intellectual, became
dominant in turn.
Hi Platt, Rick Jonathan and All,
joe: I have been attempting to work out the elements of an instinctive
sensing of reality, intuition. I am convinced that Pirsig depends on
intuition when he proposes that we know undefinable dq in a pattern. In an
instinctive sensing of reality the explanation for our actions is the
apprehension of the dq aspect of 'purpose' in the pattern.
I have a question: is 'purpose' simple or complex? I would answer, complex!
Yet we do only one thing. The complexities of 'purpose' seem to be included
in a specific action in the form of an 'octave' so to speak. How do I begin
to distinguish the 'tones' in undefinable 'purpose' in my awareness? I can
say I train my instincts, like a baseball player who can hit a 95MPH
fastball for average. It seems reasonable to say that I don't put
everything I have into each action! Actions progress!
When finally this whole pattern enters my awareness, I can reflect on what I
have done, and see ways I could have done it better. I do not know if this
problem with 'purpose' is any more or less complicated than distinguishing
the inorganic, organic, social, intellectual properties in the dq aspect of
'existence' in the pattern.
Early man had a different approach on how to survive and grow. I think that
"speaking from the heart" is different from repeating from memory patterns
which may be distorted in my awareness, giving the impression I speak with a
forked tongue. I am apalled that I can now destroy all life on earth! I do
not claim that I have evolved from the me who was more trained in the
instinctive nature of my behavior!
Joe
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