Foci
Before continuing the integration of the MOQ with Wilbur's work and turning to how it might better
help understand morals the following is a recap of what I suggested in the two previous posts.
1. Most existing knowledge is and or can be ordered by the subject and object method.
2. The most common method of ordering evolutionary or historic knowledge is by using a timeline of
events.
3. Wilbur's four quadrant method of incorporating both timelines and the subject object split is a
reasonably comprehensive way to integrate these two methods.
4. Both Pirsig and Wilbur maintain that evolution has a purpose, that it is going "somewhere".
Pirsig maintains everything is in general drifting toward higher Dynamic Quality. Wilbur maintains
that Spirit-in-action aspires to Spirit. Wilbur calls "All" or everything Spirit, Pirsig uses
Quality similarly.
5. Both suggest that the way this progress or movement is accomplished is a "thing" transcends wha
t
it current "is" while including ,building upon, and maintaining it's previous level(s) of developme
nt.
6. The MoQ can be overlaid as roughly concentric circles on top of Wilbur's four quadrant method
maintaining all of Pirsig's relationships and possibly providing greater clarity to both. (includin
g
and transcending).
RMP uses the terms "values" or "pattern of value" to designate a particular entity, say a human,
maintaining that this pattern of value is integration of a large number other inorganic, organic,
social, and intellectual patterns of value. Wilber uses the term holon similarly, a holon designate
s
the whole and the parts of a particular entity, the parts being other lower level holons or lower
level patterns of value. So whether we start with Quality or Spirit as the name for "everything"
both treat a particular entity as a part of the Whole, a Whole unto themselves, and as a evolved
and evolving series of parts and wholes coming from somewhere and going somewhere.
While both use levels of value proceeding from lower to higher Wilbur also defines types of value,
basically there are three:
1 Ground value-absolute value, the value which any "thing" must possess in order to be. At this
level all values are equal, none lower, higher, better or worse they just are. Per RMP this would
be DQ, value prior to intellectualization or " a thing without value does not exist."
2 Intrinsic value-every whole or pattern of value has a value based on its particular wholeness. Th
e
greater the wholeness or underlying parts or patterns of values the greater its intrinsic value.
3.Extrinsic value-the value of a part to the whole, the value it has for others. Its instrumental
value to the whole.
Wilbur explains the relationship of the last two this way: [ my additions]
"An ape contains cells and molecules and atoms, embraces them all in its own INTRINSIC value in its
own internal makeup-greater depth, [more levels ], greater wholeness, greater intrinsic value.
So even though an ape and an atom are both perfect expression of the Spirit [Quality] (the both hav
e
equal Ground value), the ape have more depth, more wholeness, [greater number and higher levels of
value patterns] and therefore more intrinsic value. The atom also has intrinsic value, but
relatively less. (Less value does not mean no value!)
But [a pattern of value] is not only a whole, it is also a part. And as a part it has value for
others-it is part of a whole upon which other [patterns] depend for their existence. ..The more it
is a part, the more EXTRINSIC value is has. An atom has more extrinsic value than an ape- destroy
all apes, ant not to much of the universe is affected; destroy all atoms, and everything but the
subatomic particles is destroyed- the atom has enormous extrinsic value, instrumental value, for
other[patterns] because it is an instrumental part of so may other wholes."
With few cautions, if one makes a direct replacement of "morals" for "values" in the above keeping
in mind Pirsigs overall level structure and the Wilburs evolutionary structure I think we have the
makings of a reasonable moral system that conforms to both systems.
Caution One: all living entities have on this earth a cycle of life and death. So all start at some
lower level and advance to higher levels then die and return to lower levels.
Caution Two: From Wilbur
"As a whole, a [pattern] his rights which express its relative autonomy. These right are simply a
description of the conditions that are necessary to substain its wholeness. If the rights aren't
met, the wholeness dissolves into [lower patterns of value]. ..Rights express the conditions for th
e
intrinsic value of the [whole] to exist, the conditions necessary to sustain its wholeness, sustain
its agency, sustain its depth.
But further, each [whole] is also a part of some other whole(s), and as a part, it has
responsibilities to the maintenance of that whole. Responsiblities are simply a descriptions of the
conditions that any [whole] must meet in order to be part of the [larger] whole. If it doesn't meet
those responsiblities, so it is ejected ( or acutally destroys the whole itself.) Responsiblities
express the conditions for the extrinsic value of a [whole] to exist [as a part] the conditions
necessary to sustain it partness, sustain it communion, ...[with the larger whole].
Ok chew it over ... we'll talk.
3WD
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