Greetings everyone!
My intution and intellect have become at odds since joining this group and
it has become very frustrating. It seems to stem from my intellect trying
make sense of reality through the "levels" and my intuition saying, "don't
worry about this metaphysical caca and focus on what is important -- my
career, fitness, family, friends and so forth." But still, I am here.
There seems to be a fundamental conflict between *understanding* value and
*experiencing* value. I am caught between which of these paths to take.
Understanding value comes from things making sense. Indeed Pirsig has gone
to great lengths to make sense of this world. Commonly, members in the
group apply Pirsig's explanations with little mention of experience.
Morality is derived. David's claim against Cosmotheism on the grounds that
it is social values trying to dominate intellectual values comes to mind
(sorry if I brought up a sensitive subject).
The second path -- experiencing value -- comes not from thought, but
observation. Going back to Cosmotheism, David could have dropped his
intellectual explanations and communicated the origins of his motivation.
Forget the levels. What negative experiences brought David to warn us?
At times, the application Pirsig's levels appear arbitrarily to justify our
pre-conceived ideals. Look to the Bill Clinton example. If someone
believes Clinton should not have cheated, he/she says that biology should
not be allowed to dominate society. Clinton had biological urges that
(hypothetically) were wrongly allowed to overcome his social values: the
love and respect of his wife and family. Then come the people who downplay
his cheating and turn around the logic: the intellect has realized that sex
is just sex and our social codes should not be allowed to dominate the
intellect. The intellect knows that extra-marital oral sex does not hurt
anyone a priori. We just need to drop the repressive social values.
Which argument is correct? Is the MOQ simply us picking a "level" to fit
our pre-conceived ideals? Help!
I could probably find a way to argue and counter argue the greatness of
Neo-natzism. "Neo-natzism is a intellectual concept that dynamically
overcomes lower black and Jewish cultural values."
Right now I don't know what to think of Pirsig. His view of reality as
undefinable patterns is profound! The intellectualization irks me. If
value is prior to explaination, why does Pirsig go at such lengths to
explain? He seems as bad as the SO metephysicians. Pirisig should not
explain *what* to think but *how* to think! Forget the levels, if humanity
is to evolve it must learn to listen and become acutely aware. To be
sensitive and intimate with quality. Dont' underestimate this task. Take
our thoughts alone. See how continual insecurities, fears,desires, and
beliefs dull our sensitivity to reality and quality. *This is much more
important than clarifying our metaphysics!* (To get into this I suggest
reading Krishnamurti -- a master of non-judgemental observeration whose life
purpose was to set mankind "unconditionally free".)
A very small example. Without judgement observe your thoughts now! I bet
some of you are constructing arguments of why I am wrong. Why are you doing
this? Perhaps you are genuine and want to get at the truth of this. You
have "experienced" my post without mental pre-judgement and spontaneously
have observed contradiction in my words. I salute you! It is possible,
however, that your sensitivity is hindered by fear. You feel superior when
"making points" and are insecure about being wrong. You see me as
opposition. (Of course, I am not accusing anyone of such thoughts. I am
greatful that you are even reading this!).
We must observe -- not intellectualize -- such that philosophies, religions,
customs, desires, memories, do not interfere with our direct experience of
quality, value, truth or reality. I think we are philosophy ahead of
reality. To find what is good and moral put down Pirisig's book -- it will
remain in your memory if you need it. Try a new path: Listen. Observe.
Feel.
(Is this new? Implied by Pirsig? Contradictory to Pirisig? All comments
welcome!)
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