From: Wim Nusselder (wim.nusselder@antenna.nl)
Date: Tue Mar 16 2004 - 22:11:21 GMT
Dear Don (drose),
You wrote 15 Mar 2004 19:14:14 -0500:
'Having engaged in innumerable discussions on American politics in many
different forums, I have to say that it is impossible not to bicker with
fellow Americans, precisely because America is polarised. The war between
the intellectual level and the social level is very much alive here, more so
than in Europe.
The intellectual level is in fact under attack by quasi-intellectuals
(represented politically primarily by the "liberal/left/socialists."
Europeans are, as a rule, much less polarised, having succumbed already.
VBSEG'
I agree that bickering is difficult to avoid in a polarized political
climate, but need politics play a role in this discussion group?
I don't agree that there is (or has been) a war between the intellectual and
social level anywhere. In my definitions of intellectual and social patterns
of value they are too discrete to be at war.
(I know, in 'Lila' Pirsig not only states that the levels are discrete, but
also uses the 'war' metaphor for the relation between these levels. For me
this implies an inconsistency in his ideas. Maybe because he is an American
too? (-;)
There can be a war between people behaving in accordance with a lower
quality social pattern of value and people behaving in accordance with a
higher quality social pattern of value. War, and more generally 'us versus
them' behaviour, is a relatively low quality social pattern of value anyway,
lower than cooperative behaviour.
They can motivate their behaviour using intellectual patterns of value of
different quality. (Those behaving in accordance with a higher quality
social pattern of value don't necessary motivate their behaviour with the
highest quality intellectual pattern of value...)
Unthinking behavioural patterns (collective 'habits') can't be at war with
patterns of motivation of behaviour (or patterns of understanding reality,
that are also part of the intellectual level), however.
I don't think it clarifies the discussion to associate 'the intellectual
level' with 'intellectuals'. 'Intellectual' is a role in a social pattern of
value.
What does 'VBSEG' mean?
With friendly greetings,
Wim
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