[MD] Are There Bad Questions?

[John Carl]

Hey guys,

On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 4:37 AM, Andre Broersen <andrebroersen at gmail.com>wrote:

> Ham to Steve:
>
> The fact is that neither you nor Pirsig wants to confront metaphysics
> head-on.  Oh, you talk around it, and you call the MoQ a "metaphysics", but
> the Quality paradigm you debate does not account for a metaphysical source
> at all.  It doesn't even define Quality as the fundamental reality.
>
> Andre:
> Phaedrus in ZMM:
> 'His Quality was a metaphysical entity, not a mystic one. Or was it? What
> was the difference? He answered himself that the difference was one of
> definition. Metaphysical entities are defined, Mystical Ones are not. That
> made Quality mystical. No. It was really both. Although he'd thought of it
> purely in philosophical terms up to now as metaphysical, he had all along
> refused to define it. That made it mystic too. Its indefinability freed it
> from the rules of metaphysics'. (p 203 of my e-copy)
>

It occurred to me in reading somebody's (I think it was Platt's) recent
posting of Pirsig's writing on teaching Quality, that the sq/DQ formulation
was developed to solve this very dichotomy.  Quality has two aspects, a
metaphysical aspect and a mystical aspect.  Sorta like Quantum theory, it
depends on how you want to view it.



>
> I sense a derogatory tone there Ham towards the MOQ and a rat. And I know
> how you love to define things(and have things defined) and using logic to
> make sense of experience. Well, if your Essence is such a rewarding
> experiential process for you (which it obviously isn't...otherwise you
> wouldn't be hanging around here)maybe it is time to change your assumptions
> upon which you base the validity of your definitions and use of logic....and
> perhaps your essence.
>
> Ham:
> What comes into being and appears to have value is a creation that
> presupposes a Creator.
>
> Andre:
> Just found the rat.
>

I love rats!  Highly intelligent and adaptable creatures, you know.
Certainly in no danger of extinction.  As biological patterns they must be
very high quality indeed to persist for so long in the face of such
consistent persecution.

Most humans prefer them in cages where they can be controlled, but I've
found the most pleasure in keeping a pet rat in a cage with the door open so
they can get out and explore a bit and experience the wonder of life and an
occasional confrontation with cats.

LIfe would be boring without cats.  All true rats understand this.

John the rat lover