From: Scott R (jse885@spinn.net)
Date: Wed May 28 2003 - 02:34:10 BST
Steve, et al,
> Sam said:
> >Would you
> > deny that Spock is an outstanding example of an intellectually dominated
> > person, as defined in the
> > standard account?
>
> Steve says:
>
> I assume you brought Spock into this because you think that (a) Spock is
the
> epitome of an intellectually dominated person and (b) the MOQ says that it
> is best to be intellectually dominated, which would suggest a problem with
> the description of the intellectual level because none of us think that
> Spock is the ideal person.
>
In fact, in the TV shows, Spock was a caricature of an intellectually
dominated person, not an epitome, but nevermind.
[Steve]> I don't think that what is best is to be dominated by intellect.
Pirsig
> says what is best is to be free of all static patterns which is often
> interpreted to mean some sort of enlightenment. I think it may also be
read
> to mean having everything in balance.
I disagree, though I would phrase it differently. Not as, one's self being
"dominated by intellect" (since this assumes there is a self to be
dominated). But I read the MoQ as saying that the intellect should dominate
the social (and biological and inorganic). But this is a long-term project,
not realizable until the Rigel's and Lila's disappear, that is, when they
learn the value
of intellect, which requires detachment. Rigel and Phaedrus have trouble
communicating because Rigel expects Phaedrus to experience the same outrage
over Lila's social sins that Rigel does. But Phaedrus is able to step back
and consider.
In other words, I see the social as disappearing except when whatever social
system exists causes some problem, and then the intellect must fix it. Just
as now, the biological has disappeared except when we get sick. Of course,
they are and will always still be there, but the goal should be that they
take up as little of our attention as possible. But, as I say, this is
long-term, like in centuries.
As for feeling socially awkward, I see that as going with the territory (I'm
also a social moron, fortunately now getting old enough that I don't care as
much). The solution, I suspect, is monastic, as Pirsig suggests in ch. 30
("putting static patterns to sleep"). (Hermitages appear attractive, but
unless you're willing to live on roadkill, like the guy in Hiassen's novels,
not very practical. Also, a monastery would provide a better laboratory for
learning how to make the social disappear.)
- Scott
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
Mail Archives:
Aug '98 - Oct '02 - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
Nov '02 Onward - http://www.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/summary.html
MD Queries - horse@darkstar.uk.net
To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed May 28 2003 - 02:37:58 BST