From: Paul Turner (paulj.turner@ntlworld.com)
Date: Sun Jun 13 2004 - 22:38:42 BST
Hi Platt
Platt said:
To instinctively know that some things are better than others
does not assure man's survival. He must understand cause/effect fairly
well to survive in a dangerous environment.
Paul:
I don't think understanding cause and effect is man's *basic* means of
survival. Sensing the poor quality of a dangerous environment seems more
immediate and basic to me.
> Paul previously:
> According to the MOQ, from a static point of view, the highest moral
> purpose of a man's life is to pursue and evolve intellectual quality.
Platt said:
What about the moral purpose of pursuing the higher quality "code of
art?"
Paul:
I said, "From a static point of view..."
Platt said:
I don't see how one can pursue the "highest moral purpose of an man's
life" without having a "self-interest." Who or what is doing the
pursuing
if not a individual self?
Paul:
If you need an answer to that, from a Dynamic point of view one may say
it is the Big Self, or one's Buddha-nature or look to the meaning of the
use of such expressions as 'selfless' when used by artists. I have to
ask though, are we discussing the MOQ or your philosophy here? I ask
because in the MOQ the self has no primary or independent existence and
your question seems to assume the opposite - the kind of assumption that
leads to the famous Cartesian axiom.
Platt said:
I agree Rand isn't fully compatible with the MOQ. I have never claimed
it
was. As for the better name for the intellectual level, it comes down to
making the distinction between the social and intellectual levels on
different basis than Pirsig's. His distinction is the force of tradition
vs creative thought. Mine is the power of the collective vs. freedom of
the individual. You pays your money and takes your choice.
Paul:
Then it seems Rand is closer to your beliefs than Pirsig.
Regards
Paul
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