Hello Focus Group and Happy Halloween to Ya',
MOQ Focus / October 1999 Question:
<<Pirsig says that the four levels of the MOQ are "all there is".>>
<<But if each level evolved out of the one beneath it, then is it possible
for a fifth level to emerge? >>
<<If so, what are the possible candidates for this level?>>
<<and how would we recognize it?>>
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<<Pirsig says that the four levels of the MOQ are "all there is".>>
When I look at this first part of the question, my first reaction is that
this is a definitively bold statement. I mean …. "If that's "all there is",
my friends than lets keep dancing, lets break out the booze and have a ball…
la laa la laaaa…". Ok stop singing. Of course, the "all there is" part has
to be put in context of the MOQ. And so, "all there is" does not constitute
an end, as in "the end" but rather "all there is"; as in "at this point,
until now", so far, in the moment", etc. etc. If "all there is", was meant to
be an end; all would be left to static quality and as MOQ followers, we all
know that "all there is" is Quality, which includes both static and dynamic
quality.
<<But if each level evolved out of the one beneath it, then is it possible
for a fifth level to emerge?>>
Yes, it is possible. Because ' with Quality all things all possible' ! But
seriously, of course it is possible for a 5th level to emerge because DQ is
always in motion. And I just stated above, that the four levels currently of
"all there is" do not constitute an End.
<<If so, what are the possible candidates for this level?>>
OK, Now for the fun part of the question, the purely speculative part, (the
murky part as Keith might say) the chaotic spin part and I am already
enjoying getting dizzy.
Behind door # 3.14… L5 candidate, loosely titled: The Emotional Level.
The emotional level should not be confused with an emotional state. The
latter being submersed in a one sided view or value pattern. The emotional
level (L5) will conversely be able to clearly see and feel the VALUE OF
OPPOSITION. Internal descriptions of opposition include such things as:
Love-Hate, Sadness-Joy, Contempt-Compassion, Anger-Mercy,
Attraction-Repulsion etc. etc.
External descriptions of opposition include such things as: Branch-Root,
Ceiling-Floor, Artery-vein, Top-Bottom, Expansion-Contraction etc. etc. And
of course in my very description, we have the opposition of
internal-external. And in the course of our focus group discussions we
frequently touch on the higher forces or separations of opposition, we speak
of Mind-Matter split, reason-energy battles, subject-object terms,
dynamic-static values etc. etc. Separation is the very nature of SOM itself.
And it does have high value as it enables our intellect.
L5 will not transcend or disable opposition. It will simply be a level that
lifts the blinders off of our view. It will see and feel the VALUE OF
OPPOSITION. Thus making experience par excellent. We will not experience
opposing forces simultaneously. Although, we will be able to realize the
value of opposition as a partner of experience, rather than a foe, or worse
yet, not be able to see opposition at all. L5 will be a jump in knowledge and
enhanced experience resulting from an unceasingly visualization that life
requires a marriage of opposition between enemies or forces, for that which
is un-reconcilable between them is that which also keeps them eternally
linked.
I suspect that this knowledge will come into its element by alchemy of
Kant's "a priori" knowledge and Poincaré's conventionalism. Although who
knows? Hopefully some prophetic genius such as Pirsig will come along and
help the seed crystal of L5 to grow.
I also agree with the majority of the group that L5's arrival will seem
quite irrational to those immersed in L4. (Just as L4 does to those still
immersed in L3) I also agree with Bo and others belief that it will act to
constraint intellect and "in a way" ally itself with intellect's predecessor
of Society.
I also enjoyed Keith's post a lot because it kept me thinking about the idea
of a complex cycle. And I also sometimes distrust many hierarchies. It seems
as if we are going in a forward line but I suspect that there is a subtle
curve. Maybe it's not a flat circle, but a spiral-like significance of
events. And sometimes I think its all just a big game of Chutes & Latters!
I loved this quote by David Buchanan speaking of L5:
<<Maybe it could be described as the ability to convey the meaning of
distilled and penetrating thoughts, to be clear about the meaning of
paradoxical and ironic truths. It would be a creative, playful and
original use of thoughts and ideas. Such a "mind" could create
philosophy like an inspired poet instead of a lumbering technician, yet
precision would not suffer.>>
I do think there have been a few solo travelers of L5, such as the
visionary poet William Blake, of which I'm sure that my admiration is
showing. Indeed my whole theory of L5 being recognition of but not
reconciliation of the VALUE OF OPPOSITION, (value in the Pirsig sense) is
based on my personal experience of reading Blake. Anyone that has read my bio
will recognize my partiality.
So bring it on L5, all in waiting get your emotions ready!
<<and how would we recognize it?>>
Recognition will be achieved by recognition.
Recognition will be achieved by familiarity. (like when viewing fractal
patterns)
Recognition will be achieved by a critical mass.
Recognition will be achieved by ??????????????
Who knows, maybe there is no L5 and this really is "all there is"? (Hell,
maybe I'm just a red blood cell)
Well then, "If that's "all there is", my friends than lets keep dancing,
lets break out the booze and have a ball… la laa la laaaa…".
Ok I'm done here. I'm way to dizzy already. Time to go back to my normal
lateral drift.
Peace to all, (Good is a noun!)
Todd
MOQ.org - http://www.moq.org
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