Ian,
you've put your finger on something: no metaphysic is really complete
without providing either a 'theory of competance', or a description of how
it relates to such a theory.
It's the one area in which I feel somewhat uncomfortable with Pirsig: in
proposing a universe which sort of 'runs on morality', there seems to be
nowhere in which one can incorporate discussion about competance. The
implication seems to be that if one gets one's mind right, one can be
exceedingly competant in perceiving quality, and thus (empirically) someone
who demonstrates a competant grasp of quality issues must be somehow more
'moral'. But this presumes we start on a level playing field, in terms of
opportunities, equipment (mental and sensory), and so on... - which I don't
think is so at all. As you point out (and imply), genetics, sociological
factors, and so on will combine in a wide and unpredictable variety of ways,
to provide a wide variety of opportunities and impedances.
Further, while it seems undoubtedly true that one can 'lose wisdom' -become
effectively more stupid - by making wrong (even 'immoral') choices (for
instance by becoming progressively more obsessed with money, to relate this
to the other thread), this is by no means the only possible cause;
circumstances, and choices by other people may well achieve the same effect.
I think this is the area where I'm uncomfortable with many systems of
thinking which imply that all the choices you will face are actually
personal ones, and that you are (or should be) in charge of your own
destiny. For this to be literally true, one would have to be a control freak
of extraordinary magnitude, and further one would have to successfully
manipulate all those around one to the extent that one would actually be
infringing their individual right-to-choice. I know this is inherent in life
as a pack-animal, that one would have to jostle for one's 'space', but if
everyone were to be so self-determined (and therefore so 'moral'), we
wouldn't actually be able to live with each other at all, or even
communicate very effectively!.........
Does this remind anyone of Pirsig's relationship with Chris?
regards,
ppl
> I like this. Though it is not quite accurate. It is possible to "care"
> yet not have the talent to achieve. I can care about being a first
> class athlete as much as I like but if I do not have the correct
> genetics it will not happen.
>
> I think that the caring is a prerequisite of attention. It is
> attention which facilitates the achievement of, or discernment of,
> quality. Or am I missing something?
>
> regards,
> Ian
>
>
MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
Mail Archive - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
MD Queries - horse@wasted.demon.nl
To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Aug 17 2002 - 16:00:42 BST