[MD] Reading & Comprehension

[skutvik at online.no]

Mary, Marsha, All

31 May.:

Marsha had said  
> > While I think the fourth level is SOM all the way.  I hold the level
> > structure lightly.  To me the nature of all patterns has had a far
> > greater impact.

Right you are Marsha the intellectual level is SOM all the way, at least 
S/O, the "M" is handed over to the MOQ. However, an "observation" 
on the "structure" part. You hold it lightly Marsha, and that's good, but 
it ought to be erased totally

The levels have no structure separate from their content..The 
inorganic level is inorganic value patterns, I don't say "matter" because 
that tricks us into believing that the intellectual level corresponds to 
SOM's mental structure called "mind" that contains thoughts, 
concepts, ideas ...etc. The structure/content dualism leads back into 
SOM.      

[Mary Replies] 
> Exactly!  The definition of the Intellectual Level, though, is
> essential to understanding the MoQ.  I don't think it's possible to
> grasp the enormity of the implications inherent in a worldview of
> Value while clinging to the notion that the Intellectual Level is more
> than SOM.

I join you here, Mary,  and repeat in fiery letters: THE DEFINITION Of 
the THE INTELLECTUAL LEVEL IS ESSENTIAL TO 
UNDERSTANDING THE MOQ. I will also point to your next sentence:  

    "I don't think it's possible to grasp the enormity of the 
    implications inherent in a worldview of Value while clinging to 
    the notion that the Intellectual Level is more than SOM.   

this "indention" I usually reserve for Pirsig, but this deserves it. It is the 
earlier world view - SOM - stripped of its "M" and relegated the position 
of the topmost static value which spells the  ENORMOUS 
IMPLICATIONS that Mary refers to, and what Pirsig indicates in his 
"in-out-turn" of the metaphysical sock. However what made Pirsig 
substitute this crucial point for the bland and ambiguous intellectual 
level of LILA is the mystery. He has later rejected his own thinking 
(mind-) intellect, but what does this  help, the "gang of four" makes it 
sound as a betraying the person RMP.

Bodvar

PS.
Thanks Mary for the transcription of the Pirsig interview, what an 
enormous job it must have been!