From: Glenn Bradford (gmbbradford@netscape.net)
Date: Sat Nov 30 2002 - 22:21:17 GMT
Rick,
>
>> GLENN:
>> >But let's see what we can deduce from Pirsig's statements:
>> >1) biological patterns are objects outside our minds
>> >2) the devil is a biological pattern
>> >Conclusion: the devil is running around the earth, incarnate.
>> >It's no wonder MOQ non-believers think the MOQ is spooky. It is.
>
>
>RICK
>Hey Glenn. Some questions:
>(1) Where is this "devil" quote? It sounds familiar, but I haven't been
>able to track down the text. Could you come up with a citation?
I don't remember. I'm sure someone (Platt?) with an on-line version could help.
RICK
>(2) Do you think you might be taking that language a bit too literally? I
>think it's pretty clear the MoQ excludes the actual existence of
>religious-style demons and deities. I'm willing to bet the farm Pirsig was
>speaking metaphorically about bad habits and such when he said the devil is
>biological pattern. Are you genuinely suggesting that you believe Pirsig
>meant to include "the Devil incarnate" as a biological pattern? Or are you
>just bustin' our chops?
Pirsig does believe that the general perception people have of the MOQ
is that it is spooky. However, I don't think Pirsig believes the devil
is incarnate. As a point of reference, he does believe in ghosts that
take over the bodies of babies, but he makes clear that these beings
are non-corporeal. Frankly, I'm not even convinced Pirsig thinks the
devil is a biological pattern, even though he says it is. Saying so
may have been a metaphorical device, like you said, or maybe it was a
rhetorical trick designed to be in force only as long as was necessary
to make a point. Maybe it's one of those idiosyncratic beliefs of
Phaedrus that doesn't align with Pirsig or the MOQ. Anyway, I'd need
to see the full quote to try to make a determination, but I doubt it
would be conclusive.
Am I bustin' your chops? Yeah. I'm also pointing out how sloppy
Pirsig's statements are. Also, are we to take what he says at face
value, or mold them to our own beliefs as we read them?
Glenn
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