[MD] Intellectual and Social

[Andre Broersen]

Platt to Steve, Bruce:
Bruce's example is an empirical fact established by observation and
experiment. But, where is the evidence that values are involved?  How
do we convince doubters that the germ-immunity conflict is a moral
struggle? I mean it's easy to say that all battles are moral battles. But,
how do you prove it in court?

Andre:
Hi Platt, Steve, Bruce,
The immunity pattern can be seen as a static latching device designed
to preserve what has been gained. It does so ‘on behalf of’ the whole
organism. The germ, responding to DQ, seeks to attack and thereby,
undermine the gains made and preserved by the immune pattern on behalf
of the whole organism.
The activity of one germ threatens the functioning/health of the
entire organism.

Too much DQ leads to degeneration, too much SQ leads to degeneration.
The moral struggle is about maintaining an equilibrium between gains
made and dynamic change.

At the cultural level I am reminded, for example, of the Black Rights
movement led by Martin Luther King.
These were moral battles between social and intellectual patterns. And
the Courts did listen. (And Pirsig explains why in LILA).

Where is the evidence that NO values were involved?

Platt:
I'm beginning to suspect that Pirsig's theory is like evolution, climate
change and God's will because no matter what happens the theory
applies.

Andre:
You've lost me here Platt.

Platt:
(Cave paintings were a survival tactic, global warming causes
freezing weather in Miami, aids is punishment for the sin of
homosexuality.)

Andre:
Even farther astray.

Platt:
Now comes the MOQ where a motorcycle is a moral
victory over inertia (intellectual vs.inorganic levels.)

Andre:
This is a peculiar way of seeing a victory. I’d rather see the
motorcycle/inertia division as a wonderful expression of intellectual
patterns interacting with the inorganic levels, through the mediation
of the social and organic level, and producing an exceptionally nice
piece of art.

Cheers
Andre