Re: MD People and Value in the MOQ

From: Sam Norton (elizaphanian@kohath.wanadoo.co.uk)
Date: Thu Nov 18 2004 - 11:00:29 GMT

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    Hi Platt,

    Let me just say that even though I disagree with you about many things, I'm glad you're here. (I'm
    glad that DMB is here too, I'm not making a point about who I agree with).

    > > So, my (deliberately provocative) assertion was: according to the MoQ, the
    > > worst thing about 9/11 was the loss of the ideas in all the victim's heads.
    > > Which seems to be morally absurd - but which seems to me to be a logical
    > > consequence of the above two elements of the MoQ.
    >
    > Right, except it was also the loss of potential ideas that might have been
    > essential to the evolution of morality.

    OK. But you then go down the route of probablity, ie how many ideas were likely to come, etc etc,
    which I think ends up resolving to not very much additional value, for the most part.

    > Well, logically we must presume one for there to be many, i.e., there must
    > be "thing" (whole) for there to be a conglomerate (parts).

    That's what I had thought RMP was objecting to, but see my other post on this.

    > It can be defended only by faith in a reality where Jane Doe and all other
    > human beings are merely points light (little selves) representing an
    > eternal light (big Self), each shining for a brief time and then burning
    > out.

    Interesting image. I'm still getting my head around the big self/ little self division (I'm familiar
    with other mystical descriptions about the loss of ego self etc, and I had assumed this was
    analogous. I'm no longer so sure)

    > To say "people are value" doesn't help much because in the MOQ, all things
    > are value, just that some things are of more value than others.

    Precisely so.

    > As I read the MOQ, people are means to the end of moral evolution.

    Which is what I worry about. I'm not sure I'm happy to describe any metaphysics which treats people
    as means to an end as 'moral'.

    > Isn't a person logically necessary as being the manipulator of abstract
    > symbols? We're not all robots -- yet.

    I think so, but I'm not sure the MoQ agrees.

    > You raise a most interesting question, Sam.

    I do my best, even when I'm confused and confusing :o)

    Cheers
    Sam

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