[MD] Intellectual and Social

[plattholden at gmail.com]

Hey Andre,

Please see my comment below. 

On 10 Jan 2010 at 7:18, Andre Broersen wrote:

> 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?

You've illustrated my point. You've not only used the MOQ to explain 
immunity but also the civil rights movement. Is there anything the MOQ 
can't explain?   

> 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.

There are those who blame all weather anomalies on global warming, all 
human behavior on selfish genes, all misfortune on God's will.    .
 
> 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.
 
See what I mean? You and I can use the MOQ however we want to 
explain an object, idea or event. Who is right? Who knows? 

Regards,
Platt