[MD] Waiter, I don't think this Quality is any Good

[Andre Broersen]

Mary to Marsha and Andre:
I agree with you, Marsha, this was a good post.  I appreciate the
clarification of "belief", but Andre, I'm disappointed that you discount the
importance of the levels.

Andre:
Dear Mary, I do NOT discount the importance of the levels at all!!! My
comment about accepting or rejecting them was a reflection, on this
Discuss from time to time, of suggestions about additions or
subtractions of levels.
I also agree with you about the contentiousness of the intellectual level.

One little note though, when you say:

The intellectual level represents the scientific method in its purest
form.  "Let's go out and try to answer some questions without being
clouded by preconceived notions and social values.  Let's look for the
best explanation we can find based on empirical evidence, even if it
proves us wrong, and then, if we later find new evidence we didn't
know about before, let's incorporate that too and change our
explanation as necessary." To me, that's what it is.  Not an
evolutionary developmental stage.  It is an attitude.  Now, convince
me I am wrong. I'm open to it.

I think of Pirsig arguing that science, in fact is not 'independent'
from society. 'A science in which social patterns are of no account is
as unreal and absurd as a society in which biological patterns are of
no account. It's an impossibility" (LILA, CH 24).

Thanks Mary, next time I'll try to be a little more precise.

Cheers
Andre