From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Thu Jan 01 2004 - 20:10:38 GMT
Hi Bo:
Looks like we're on the same page when it comes to deciding where Pirsig
stands in the battle of values currently being fought between radical
Islam, Western Europe secular socialism and American Judeo-Christian
capitalism. (Your point about America not being a purely capitalistic
country is well taken. We have many so-called "social programs," but the
drift is definitely toward the conservative end of the spectrum whereby
individuals are asked to take on more responsibility for the quality of
their own lives vs. Europe where the drift appears to be going in the
opposite direction.)
One point of confusion, however, occurs which I hope you can reconcile for
me. On the one hand, you say:
> Judeo-Christian capitalism? It's commonly accepted that Marx was
> inspired by early Christendom's policy of contributing according to
> ability and receiving according to need. But from the following I
> understand that you mean Victorian Morality.
Here you place the American experience squarely at the social level, a
position you confirm:
> Objections! This is the said alliance with social value (Victorian
> morality)
But, later on you place American values at the intellectual level.
> If anything is intellect-value-based, the American DoI is, based as it is
> on the Enlightenment ideas.
And reaffirm the intellectual level of the American experience here:
> The American DoI is all about about individual freedom; in the
> greater MOQ context intellect's independence from society. That
> this was perceived as "dynamic" and "beautiful" in its time is no
> wonder. All level's liberation from their parent was driven by a sense of
> value of beauty - that's MOQ's whole point.
I could guess at why the seeming discrepancy, but would rather have you
explain describing America as both representative of Victorian morality
and intellect's independence. Seems to me it can't be both.
Best,
Platt
P.S. Don't know what you mean by "Dol."
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