clark (clark@netsites.net)
Sat, 22 Nov 1997 09:20:10 +0100
Mark,
I just picked up your post a little while ago and I can see immediately
that I don't have much to disagree with you on. Maybe nothing when we can
clarify our positions a little more.
If we can agree on what truths we are speaking of, that is, I am not
speaking of who swiped the cash from the cash box, but truth as it relates
to the story of the Universe, then I think that we can equate truth and
good without contradiction
Your thought about banishment from the Garden of Eden jarred with
previously unrealized recognition. It immediately suggests that because of
our egocentric concept of humanity we have banished ourselves from the
Garden of Eden. It settles nicely into my vision of our situation.
I am in agreement that, given the overriding requirement that the needs
of the biosphere be met, the reestablishment of the Garden of Eden is a
desirable aim. In that case Pirsig's Metaphysics of Quality Is a concept
that I have no argument with. I am still of the opinion that the concept of
Dynamic Quality will only alter the ethical drift of humanity for the good
when the
Good gains the numerical upper hand since Dynamic Quality operates for
everyone and is only a force for good when the previous platform of Static
Quality of the individual encourages that selection of consciousness which
tends toward the Good. (If that makes sense).
I am not sure whether you believe in an immortal soul or not. You didn't
make that clear. I prefer not to believe that because not only is it a
crushing burden for us to bear but it opens the door for too much
contention and strife.
It is my belief that we didn't have a choice in the matter of being here
but now that we are it is our responsiblity to care for this fragile blue
planet and the other life forms which depend on our good judgement. Our
children and grandchildren and theirs, and theirs will be profoundly
affected by the decisions that we make during our tenure. I don't mean for
this to sound grim because I think that it is exhilarating for us to
contemplate this process in which we are embedded. The contemplation of the
operation of the Universe as we understand it today is a source of wonder
and awe to me and I believe that if everyone understood that story we would
be living in a Garden of Eden. I have no objection to a God as long as He
does not interfere with that process, but I also have no fear or regret at
the thought that I will be returning to contribute my bit to sustaining
Gaia.
If you have time read the last couple of pages of the article that I
posted on the forum, I think that will explain my position better than I
can here at the moment. At 72 my mind is not as agile as it once was. Let
me say for those of you who are still young enough to be immortal that for
me it has gotten even better as I get older. Don't be discouraged, it gets
better all the time. Ken Clark
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