[MD] Intellect's Symposium

[Mary]

Hello Bo,

You said, "Pirsig's "symbol manipulation" definition of intellect is way
off."

I am so with you on that.  I would like to know what he was thinking when he
said it.  He seems to fly in the face of his own book!  Does this represent
a change of mind for Mr. Pirsig, or a lack of understanding on our part?

I think we'd have to know what he meant by the word "symbol".  Based on our
knowledge of the levels, it can't possibly have to do with the everyday
understanding of "symbols".  Far too elementary.  I would like to think he
had something very specific in mind.  

Rhetoric is defined in many ways.  Wikipedia tells us that, "rhetorical
topics derive from Aristotle's belief that there are certain predictable
ways in which humans (particularly non-specialists) draw conclusions from
premises".  A fundamental theme of modern rhetorical studies emphasizes the
nature of persuasive power.  Persuasion is used to generate conclusions, and
conclusions are the seeds of internalized belief.  Could the "symbol
manipulation" of scientists be seen as a way of persuading non-specialists
to focus on the attainable "how" while discounting the "why"?

Mary

- The most important thing you will ever make is a realization.