From: Wim Nusselder (wim.nusselder@antenna.nl)
Date: Tue Jun 22 2004 - 13:47:40 BST
Dear Hemanth,
You asked 21 Jun 2004 14:40:22 +0530:
'is there any known alternative of learning things than thru classifying
things into various "boxes"? Without any sort of division whatsoever?'
Depends on what you want to learn.
In its broadest sense 'learning something' can be translated into MoQish as
'becoming able to experience and participate in a specific pattern of
value'.
Third level patterns of value (patterns of behaviour that are neither
biologically in DNA nor motivated by systems of symbols/ideas) can be
experienced and participated in without classifying. You learn by doing, by
making them into a habit. I prefer to call them habitual patterns of value
rather than social patterns of value (as Pirsig does), although -according
to me- they do exactly what Pirsig claims social patterns of value do: they
hold societies together.
Fourth level patterns of value (patterns of ideas that explain experience or
motivate action) consist of symbols that stand for (other) patterns of
experience (of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and/or 4th level). 'Standing for' implies
that each symbol is associated with a category of (other) patterns of value.
Thinking/communicating in symbols requires classification of the experience
that is symbolized. All ways of learning 4th level patterns of value require
classification, but any specific way of classification has alternatives.
E.g. learning (fixed classifications) by rote can be gradually substituted
with ways of learning more flexible classifications (by applying more
classifications at the same time) until at last it is the classifying itself
that is learned rather than the classifications. The pupil then becomes able
(e.g. by understanding the relativity of all classifications) to experience
and participate in almost any pattern of symbols given enough time to master
it.
Beyond the four levels there are no patterns yet to be learned (or at least
they are not communicable in words), but there is (mystic) experience that
can be (imperfectly) described (in 4th level patterns of value that stand
for denial of all 4th level patterns of value) in terms like 'unity' or 'no
division at all'.
With friendly greetings,
Wim
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