Dear Rog,
I have been contemplating your thoughts on the MOQ and Middle East for a few
days, trying to understand whether they have advanced out thinking on the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict...
In terms of the conflict itself and its resolution, I cannot yet see any
helpful implications of the MOQ. I know you have not promised any, and do
not say this as a criticism. Nor, in terms of your question, do I think
that you are evading the question: it may be that the MOQ does not throw any
light on the I-P conflict and its resolution--though I am still hopeful that
this is not the case. I have turned to a couple of other groups that are
trying to find 'new ways of thinking' about the world, and they too are
struggling with a practical application of their insights to the I-P
conflict. I do continue to think that if these 'new ways' of thinking are
important and valid, that they should have _something_ useful to say about a
significant human and societal problem. Perhaps this is wrong of me, but
then, if not this, then what is the practical value of these metaphysical
musings?
In an earlier post, you said, MOQ "is a moral system that can be used
practically to decide between alternatives. I [Rog] believe the
MOQ points beyond absolute, Hegelian moral righteousness on either side and
instead looks for the most moral solution as that which makes it most right
for everyone."
Would it help in the search for that most moral solution if I listed the
broad range of options on a solution to the I-P conflict? I emphasize
specifically that I do so without passing judgment on or endorsing any of
them. I do not suggest that any of them are acceptable.
1. The Palestinians are declared dispossessed of any part of Palestine by
force of Israeli arms. The Palestinians do what they can to live elsewhere
in various host countries, and Israel establishes itself in the territories
they currently possess, plus those they currently occupy: the West Bank and
Gaza.
2. The Palestinians are 'given' the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and
Gaza upon which to establish a Palestinian state. The Israeli State remains
in the territories it now possesses. The Golan is returned to Syria,
demilitarized.
4. Palestine is re-divided from scratch between Palestinians and Israelis,
so as to create more viable Israeli and Palestinian entities than would be
the case if the present 1967 lines are adopted as their border. Substantial
resettlement of both populations are required.
3. Israel is found to be a European colonial creation and 'undone', so that
the status quo prior to its creation is reestablished in Palestine. The
Palestinians, including Palestinian refugees currently in exile return to
Palestine. Israeli settlers are repatriated to their countries of origin, or
to other host countries.
What would then be the MOQ's guidance on any of these alternatives, or on
any variants on them?
Looking for wisdom,
Lawry
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk
> [mailto:owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk]On Behalf Of RISKYBIZ9@aol.com
> Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 4:55 PM
> To: moq_discuss@moq.org
> Subject: Re: MD Middle East
>
>
> Hi Lawry,
>
> I believe the metaphysical moral apex of Lila is on the last page
> of Chapter
> 29 (subsequent chapters may be MORE important, but in a personalized and
> anti-metaphysical way -- if this makes sense??). The message I take away
> from the end of Ch29 is:
>
> GOOD IS IDENTIFIED BY THE EXPERIENCE CREATED.
>
> This is indeed a direct extension and compilation of empiricism and
> pragmatism.
>
> With this in mind, I believe that the most moral course is that
> which creates
> the best results. AND, the way to find the best results is to use past
> experience and new ideas to create alternative solutions that can
> be compared
> and contrasted and then the best of these can be tested, refined,
> replaced,
> etc. The moral course is therefore a dynamic course, it is a process, a
> journey, an investigation, and the outcome is not necessarily known in
> advance. But it is known in experience. And that course of action which
> leads to the more quality is better than that which leads to less.
>
> The highest solution is one which creates the most quality
> experience for the
> most people. To me, that implies win/win solutions rather than win/lose
> situations. That implies inorganic, biological, social AND intellectual
> quality. That implies quality across the greatest depth and span. That
> implies stability and versatility (sq and DQ).
>
> I believe that the MOQ solution is the path that some of us have tried to
> take. It started with the dialectic process which we have engaged in, and
> continues on into each of us living and moving forward with those
> ideas of
> the greatest apparent benefit. The MOQ solution is a dynamic, living,
> evolving process. It is "an enlarged way of looking at experience."
>
> IN BRIEF, THE MOQ "SOLUTION" ISN'T SOME STATIC OUTCOME OR
> ABSOLUTE ANSWER.
> THE MOQ SOLUTION IS AN ENLARGED WAY OF LOOKING AT EXPERIENCE. IT IS THE
> "EVOLVING UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIVERSE"
>
> THE MOQ SOLUTION IS THE JOURNEY (by motorcycle, boat, email exchange, or
> other means) AND "THE PRINCIPLE OF RIGHTNESS WHICH GIVES STRUCTURE AND
> PURPOSE" TO THIS EXPLORATION
>
> ROG
> PS -- Lawry, I hope you don't think I evaded your question. But to me,
> Pirsig's philosophy has always been about journeys, not final
> destinations. I
> have thrown out some ideas on a Middle East course that may have
> quality.
> Wim has thrown out another. The MOQ gives us enlarged insight
> into paths of
> quality, but the primary insight is that our experience IS
> quality. And the
> most moral solution is that which intellectually and dynamically
> never stops
> aspiring for something even better.
>
>
>
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