> Hello Ls,
>
> [Pirsigians, I like the sound of this word, it sounds like 'Persistent',
> never giving up]
>
> The program question for May 99 is:
> *With reference to the examples given in LILA, explain dynamic and static
> quality and the relationship between them.*
>
> Static and Dynamic Quality are the two basic concepts over which the MOQ
> is
> built. The two concepts are not separated in reality, they are one, but
> for
> the sake of explaining their meaning and their relationship, it has been
> necessary to separate them.
> Think of static Quality and Dynamic Quality as a Pyramid. The wider base
> of
> the Pyramid is built with a greater proportion of static patterns,
> gradually
> diminishing as it moves up the pyramid. The Apex of the pyramid is Dynamic
>
> Quality, with the highest value at the top and diminishing as it moves
> down
> the pyramid. For a long shot and broad example, lets argue that the base
> is
> compose of 80% static patterns and the other 20% move up towards the top.
> Equivalent the top has 80% Dynamic patterns and distribute the other 20%
> downward. Furthermore, divide the pyramid in four parts, that is cut it up
>
> in four horizontal lines of equal thickness. So lets say that the Pyramid
> is
> four meters high. The first cut, at the bottom contains Inorganic
> Patterns,
> called level One. The next cut, is the Biological Patterns, called level
> two. The next, level three is the Social Patterns. And, last is the level
> four (you guess it) with the Intellectual Patterns.
> Levels one through four are kept together as a unit by the ' five Moral
> codes':
> 1)Inorganic-chaotic
> 2)Biological-inorganic
> 3) Social-Biological
> 4) Intellectual-social
> 5) Dynamic- static
> Under this example, what will be the most stable Pyramid?. I would argue
> that will be one with a square base. Like the one picture in the US one
> dollar Bill note.
> Dynamic patterns built themselves by latching on to static patterns. They
> must co-exist together, one dominates (Dynamic), but the Dynamic patterns
> need
> the static patterns in order to keep up with the flux of change over which
>
> the Pyramid is built, or the Flux which sorrounds the Pyramid.
> I will now make reference to David B. post, where he write:
> "Among these patterns is the intellectual pattern
> that says 'there is an external world of things out there which are
> independent of intellectual patterns'. That is one of the highest
> quality intellectual patterns there is. And in this highest quality
> intellectual pattern, external objects appear historically before
> intellectual patterns... But this highest quality intellectual pattern
> itself comes before the external world, not after, as is commonly
> presumed by the materialist."
> Carmen: I had to think hard on the last words of that statement, I do
> understand it, but to explain it is another thing. The materialist
> believes
> that everything must be explained in 'objective terms', objectivity is the
> key.
> But, you can't leave the subject out, how can you?, he is the one making
> the observation.
> Suppose for a minute that life does not exist, "this will be the
> intellectual pattern that says that there is an external world of things
> out
> there which are independent of intellectual patterns". Now look at the
> pyramid example. What's left?, the answer is, the one meter high inorganic
>
> level One (80% of it), the other 20% is Dynamic Patterns. Ruled by the
> first
> moral code, inorganic chaotic. A new cycle might begin, and who knows
> which
> shape it would take. The raw elements will be, cosmic material (inorganic
> chaotic), but Dynamic patterns will be there too (at a atomic level), and
> a new system begins,its growth base on the principles of Dynamic Quality.
> We have evidence of such a thing already happenned at least once. The
> example I have in mind was the extintion of the Dinosaurs. Life went on,
> after they were wiped out of the face of this planet (for whatever the
> cause might have been). At any rate The Pyramid was cut back, not
> to the first level, but on the second level, to the Biological level,
> ruled by the 'biological and inorganic codes'.(This was a partial or
> temporary destruction). Static patterns and Dynamic
> Patterns combined and struggled, using the Biological Inorganic codes, and
> a new
> Pyramid was built on it over the base. Humanity came along and built
> societies and so on, here
> we are.
This concepts are difficult to accept because it challenges the 'Status
Quo'. The Mythos is reluctant to change, it wants to hold on to what it
knows. And, who would blame such a poor mortal.We have lived for centuries
thinking that 'man' is the center of the universe. The idea of a supreme
God, who created us and the supreme ruler. The idea of God is just an
example. With this statements, I apologize if I offend anyone. On my
defense, I will say that the idea of a monotheist God, who might or might
not come one day, forgive me, but instead I would like to think that such a
divine idea is right here with us. We don't have to wait for anyone to come
and tell us what is wrong and what is right. We understand 'it' right now,
in the present. This is a very difficult subject for me to talk about, I
find it hard to explain myself. (we will get out of the subject anyway). By
the way, I do teach religion to my children. The reason I think it is
important, is because it gives them a starting point, like a reference
point. And, I would rather that they confront an 'idea' or a religion which
I am familiar with. They will be hungry for some spiritual food, eventually,
I want them to come to a familiar terrain. And, if they want to question it,
I will be there to help them 'know', what I know, along with my doubts and
frustrations. If I don't do that, they might take their hunger away to some
Cult or who knows what, I wouldn't want to loose them. One day maybe some of
you 'parents' can share ideas about how to teach the idea of religion, or
spiritual flow, to our children. Please, let me say one more last thing
about it for now. Remember John Lennon's song Imagine, one of my favorites,
BUT instead of the words going 'imagine not religion', I would put emphasis
in 'imagine religion', it is here with 90% of the population and we must
confront it, understand it and not just roll our eyes to it. Religion is a
human necessity, we can't ignore it, or it will Devour us (what is worse,
along with our children). For example we must have TOLERANCE toward
religion, and RESPECT. Remember, how Mr. Pirsig gave us the example of 'Lila
having a one-person religion'. He follow the "Ritual", at that point he wa
the most religious human around. If we all, could reach or grasp just a
little bit of that idea, we would have Less Wars, and more
happiness.-------------"This highest quality intellectual pattern itself
comes before the external world, not after, as is commonly presumed by the
materialist."Carmen: Another way to look at the statement is with reference
with the 'the intellect evolutionary purpose', its historical purpose, Mr.
Pirsig reminds us has been to help a society find food, detect danger, and
defeat enemies. "It can do this well or pooly depending on the concepts it
invents for this purpose." P350, chapter 24. LILA.
-----
Back to reality, must go into my Gestalt/Mythos/World and enjoy my weekend
with the girls. So much to do, so little time.
Cheers.
> That's it for now Queridos amigos invisibles.
> Sean Felices,
> Carmen.
>
> >
> >
> > MOQ Online - http://www.moq.org
>
>
>
>
> MOQ Online - http://www.moq.org
MOQ Online - http://www.moq.org
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