RE: MD Where things end.

From: David Buchanan (DBuchanan@ClassicalRadio.org)
Date: Sat Sep 06 2003 - 23:36:51 BST

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    Hi Paul, Sam and all:

    And thanks for the quotes.

    Pirsig:
    "The One in India has got to be the same as the One in Greece. If its not,
    you've got two"

    dmb says:
    I think its just a pithy way of pointing out that the ONE is described as
    such in both the East and the West. This isn't really a philosophical
    matter, as I see it. When the descriptions are laid side by side, such as
    Cambell does, its pretty clear that the differences are superficial.

    Pirsig:
    "Oneness is one intellectual path up the mountain of understanding.
    "Nothingness" is another such path. (Dynamic) Quality is a third. When a
    scientifically orientated mind hears the term "substance" it says
    "that's reality". When it hears about "oneness" and "nothingness" it
    says, 'That's just empty, meaningless, metaphysical claptrap for the
    "Mind of God" which we have already rejected for empirical reasons.'
    Scientifically those words have no meaning."

    dmb says:
    What I like about this is that it locates DQ in a spiritual neighborhood.
    Terms like 'oneness' and 'nothingness' and 'god' are obviously borrowed from
    religion.

    Pirsig:
    "The word "quality" is superior to "oneness" and "nothingness" because
    it is impossible for scientists to reject as metaphysical claptrap. They
    try, but they cannot get away with saying there are no values in the
    world. Even a so-so philosopher can cut them to pieces dialectically...
    The Metaphysics of Quality is valuable because it provides a central
    term that the Western, scientifically structured mind cannot dismiss."

    dmb sums:
    Quality is a term the Western mind cannot dismiss. Science can't reject it
    as metaphysical claptrap. But other terms work too. Because the One in India
    is the same as the One in Greece.

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