clark (clark@netsites.net)
Sun, 18 Jan 1998 08:23:31 +0100
Plat and LS,
Sitting here and studying the Principles of Quality by studying the mail,
I came to the realization that I had not attempted to answer your question
to me about time.
Time is not a logical absurdity. It is the consequence of the action of
gravity on energy.
After tne (explosion?) of the infinitely curved singularity (in the
beginning) there came into being energy and gravity. Time resulted from the
action of gravity on energy so that we could say that the universe resulted
from the interaction of energy and gravity and time. Time is still the
result of gravity's interaction with matter (frozen energy). One of the
early attempts to test the General Theory of Relativity was on the occasion
of a full eclipse of the Sun by the Moon. This gave the opportunity to
observe the light from two stars lying close to the line of sight of the
Sun. The eclipse allowed these stars to be observed during daytime hours
and the photographic evidence showed that the stars were apparently
displaced because their light was bent by passing close to the Sun. Photons
are said to have no mass, therefore, gravity affects energy.
One of the problems I have in thinking about the MOQ is that it is very
close to the ideas proposed by Thomas Berry, and James Lovelock, and
Darwin, and others whom I can't remember right now. Similar ideas have been
floating around in the field of Biology for some time. Not expressed in the
same way but having the same effect. I have trouble keeping the words
Quality and Value in mind unless I make a special effort. For a long time
the physical laws of the universe have been thought of as an evolutionary
force acting through time and chance (Chaos theory makes me doubt the
chance part sometimes) on the existing universe, not with a Goal in mind
but with a direction determined by the operation of those laws. These ideas
are what I interpret to be the morals and values that Pirsig proposes. I
see no difference as long as we are talking in terms of the physical
operation of the universe. Morals are an unbroken chain of physical events
right from the big bang to sentience. I wish we could have avoided the use
of the terms Morals and Values because they are emotionally loaded in terms
of the human race but they are accurate and correct as long as we are
talking in terms of the physical evolution of the universe and of life in
all of its forms. The MOQ fits nicely in this concept and I have no
argument with it.
It is when we begin to apply the MOQ in human circumstances to which the
universe is indifferent that I begin to have a little problem. I do not
believe that there is a first cause or an entity up there that is directing
these events or human affairs. I believe that everything that has happened
is the result of the physical processes of the universe and the effect that
these processes have had on the human race. This does not mean that we are
purely deterministic creatures. I do not believe that either. Chaos theory
was finally formulated in 1976 I believe. As you are aware, it is the
theory of Deterministic Disorder and, to quote James Gleick, "Chaos Theory
shows us how a purposeless flow of energy can wash life and consciousness
into the world."
It is when we begin to inform and influence Dynamic Quality with Static
Value that I feel compelled to separate this process into a separate
Dynamic Quality from the purely physical. Don't misunderstand me, I still
believe that the MOQ operates for the human race. I just believe that once
we reach this level the proliferation of truths makes it preferable to have
a human MOQ separate from the MOQ that is purely directed by the physical
laws of the universe up to sentience. Dynamic Quality is different for each
sentient individual. It is predisposed by our SPOVs to exhibit a preference
for certain areas of our sea of awareness because of the previous life
story of each individual. It does not necessarily agree with physical DQ of
which it is an outgrowth and probably operates in conjunction with. The two
DQs can float independently of each other. It is not necessarily moral
either in terms of the universe or in human terms. It just represents the
level of morality of the individual in his current state of awareness but
it is a force for the growth of morals and values.
Thank you for letting me present these ideas. I do not know if they are
correct, this is just how I feel. I invite your criticism. It will help me
to learn. Ken
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