From: Leland Jory (ljory@mts.net)
Date: Tue Mar 16 2004 - 23:41:30 GMT
Wim Nusselder wrote:
>I don't agree that there is (or has been) a war between the intellectual and
>social level anywhere. In my definitions of intellectual and social patterns
>of value they are too discrete to be at war.
>(I know, in 'Lila' Pirsig not only states that the levels are discrete, but
>also uses the 'war' metaphor for the relation between these levels. For me
>this implies an inconsistency in his ideas. Maybe because he is an American
>too? (-;)
>
>
It's not really inconsistent when you realize that the lower levels have
different (and often diametrically opposed) goals from the levels above.
For instance, q-biology wants nothing more than to eat, sleep, defecate
and procreate (with no concern for who is being eaten, defecated on, or
procreated with). It's the ultimate selfish level, because it's all
about the self. Q-society wants to build a structure where people can
live together in relative peace and prosperity under a strict set of
rules and codes of conduct. This is in direct opposition to q-biology.
Similarly, q-intellect wants to uncover the truth about everything,
regardless of existing social structures.
>There can be a war between people behaving in accordance with a lower
>quality social pattern of value and people behaving in accordance with a
>higher quality social pattern of value. War, and more generally 'us versus
>them' behaviour, is a relatively low quality social pattern of value anyway,
>lower than cooperative behaviour.
>
>
I prefer the use of the word 'tension' to describe the conflict between
the different levels. It seems to imply less directed animosity and more
a natural state. The tension is not competitive, it just is.
>What does 'VBSEG' mean?
>
>
Yes, I'll admit to some curiosity about that one.
--
Leland Jory :^{)>
Cafeteria Spiritualist and Philosopher
"It is a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, 'Go
away, I'm looking for the truth.' and so it goes away. Puzzling." -
Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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