[MD] Intellect's Symposium

[John Carl]

Chiming in here at the Intellectual symposium,  arguing about when
intellectual ability arises or arose in society is an endlessly fascinating
debate.  Also where it arises in primate physiology.  Fascinating.  One
which I hope continues to get tossed back and forth in the future.

However, for the sake of clarity in the MoQ, I really wish the the term
"intellectual" was dropped from the 4th level.  The 4th level is not
composed of intellect.  The 4th level is composed of intellectual patterns.
Philosophy and metaphysics which are created by the intellectual abilities
of humankind.  It is these intellectual patterns, these philosophies, which
grow, evolve and develop, with a life and growth of their own, independent
of the individuals who contribute or assent to their evolution, that make up
the "substance" of the 4th level.  I've proposed intellect itself as the
"code of art" which mediates between these philosophies, but so far this
idea has generated no enthusiastic response and I'm not one to keep pushing
an idea that fails to meet social acceptability.

Even if it is a damn good one.

Pirsig says the development of the 4th can be intuited from the evolution
and development of the 3rd, and he plainly points out how a social pattern,
such as a city, devours individuals in its sustenance and growth.
Therefore, it makes very little sense to go back to poking into individual
intellectual ability when trying to describe what is happening on the 4th
level.

I've proposed many times calling the 4th level "the Metaphysical" or the
"philosophical" to avoid this confusion between intellect and intelligence.


And now, back to you.  Mati, tell your wife thanks for the chips and the
drinks.

John