From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Wed Dec 17 2003 - 16:39:22 GMT
Hi Steve,
> Sure, imposing Christmas on Iraq would be stupid, but can't you see that
> there are some aspects of our culture that are universally good and really
> are worth promoting?
>
> Some people prefer chocolate ice cream, some people like to throw every 3rd
> baby into a volcano and circumcise their pubescent women. Is that it? Are
> right and wrong simply a matter of cultural perspective? Or do you agree
> with Pirsig that...
>
> "Given a value-centered Metaphysics of Quality, it is absolutely,
> scientifically moral for a doctor to prefer the patient. This is not just
> an arbitrary social convention that should apply to some doctors but not to
> all doctors, or to some cultures but not all cultures. It's true for all
> people at all time, now and forever, a moral pattern of reality as real as
> H2O. "
Yes. Some people are better than others, some countries are better than
others, some cultures are better than others. Pirsig has given us a
framework where we can base moral judgments of people, nations and
cultures on reason rather than emotions.
Thanks for reminding us that morality is not simply a matter of whatever
you believe is right, or is written on a tablet handed down from on high,
or is encapsulated in a plea such as, "Can't we all just get along?"
Morality is built into the fabric of the universe, and Pirsig shows us how
to grasp that truth and use it to our benefit.
Regards,
Platt
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