SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 3
For too long, we discuss topics, only to fail to ever summarize our progress.
One result is that some of the potential dynamic advances are lost due to a
lack of static latching. Attached is a suggested format for summarizing key
points of the discussion, while also acknowledging remaining areas of
disagreement or controversy. Further revisions or clarifications are gladly
encouraged, and those seeing no value in the latching or the editorial voice
are more than welcome to put their delete button to good use. Sorry I am a
day late, my job requires frequent travel during the week.
OVERVIEW
Chapter 1 introduces us to Rigel, Lila, Capela and Phaedrus. In the second
chapter, Phaedrus discusses his random-access MOQ program slips and his
sorting methodology. In the 3rd, he delves into his primary slips which
include the non-objective anthropologist Dusenberry, the peyote ceremony and
Phaedrus' initial vision that Native Americans were the originators of
Western values -- including the value of freedom.
KEY CONCEPTS:
1) Pirsig provides insights on how the MOQ was compiled using random slips. A
central theme here is freedom. He speaks of using the slips to free
and empty his mind to make room for the new. He also stresses the quality,
freshness and growth potential that can be leveraged via the freedom of
random access. He allowed the slips almost to organize and categorize
themselves by asking only one simple question, "which came first?."
2) Pirsig introduces us to some of the limitations of objectivity. "There's
this
pseudo-science myth that when you are 'objective' you just disappear from the
face of the earth and see everything undistorted, as it really is, like God
from heaven. But that's rubbish."
3) He highlights that his mystical peyote experience helped him to overcome
his objectivity to "spin an enormous symetrical web, larger and more perfect
than any [his analytic side] had ever spun before." He comments that he
could not have "gone the distance without the Peyote." He even considered
structuring the entire book around the ceremony to show the "complex
realities and trancendental questions that first emerged in his mind there."
4) His initial peyote illumination was that Indians are "the originators" of
much of American values, especially the value of Freedom. "....it was to this
conflict between European & Indian values, between freedom and order, that
his study should be directed."
COMMENTARY / DISSENSION:
1) There were no major disagreements on the first key concept. There was
also a consensus that the phrase "which came first" refers to intellectual or
logical primacy rather than strict chronology.
2) No major dissension on the limitations-of-objectivity concept either.
David and Bo, coming from different angles, did caution that this issue is
far from fully developed. The consensus, however, was that Dusenberry and
his non-objectivity need to be recognized as the first intellectual slip.
3) The group is extremely divided on the significance and merits of mysticism
in the origins of the MOQ. 3WD is concerned with mysticism's unnecessary
historical baggage. Jonathan and Glenn interpret mysticism as irrelevant, or
some type of discarded bad opening that was later demoted to an illustrative
example. David B. and others disagree vehemently, believing that the term is
essential, that people are ignoring clear and repeated passages on the
importance of the issue, and that most of the dissenters misunderstand the
concept. In brief, both groups feel the other is floating around in
Cleveland Harbor. What is YOUR view?
There was also some lively discussion on the perils of promoting drug use.
4) No dissension was noted on the wording or interpretation of #4. However
there was widespread disagreement with Pirsig's conclusion. Native
American's probably influenced Western values, but to credit them as the
originators seems a stretch. Nobody felt this issue was central to the
metaphysics though. 3WD suggested the rhetorical value of this idea was
greater than its intellectual value.
Summary by Roger
PS -- If too late, please bounce me ......
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