[MD] The difference between a Monet and a finger painting

[David Thomas]

Ham,

>> I haven't felt that Pirsig denies the subjective agent, but only that
>> this subjective agent is part of a much larger plan (without
>> intelligence).
>> If indeed, the denial of essence is used as the fundamental building
>> block, one still has to ascribe to a larger plan, since we all seem to
>> negate essence in the same way.
> 
> A subjective agent without intelligence (cognitive awareness) is a misnomer.
> "Subject" is defined as "the mind, ego, or agent that sustains or assumes
> the form of thought or consciousness."  So, again, unless the terms
> "quality" and "subject" are strained by capricious definitions to suit the
> author's purpose, their common epistemological meaning is inconsistent with
> the MoQ thesis.

I was listening to the CBC "Understanding Science" in one of them there was
a discussion about the problems that arises from the misunderstanding of
"agency" and assigning it exclusively to humans. In this case they were
comparing the agency of  bacteria that change their "behavior" based on the
introduction of antibiotics. How does this fit into your views.

Dave