[MD] French ingredient in the soup of sentiments

[Platt Holden]

Margaret, 
 
> P:
> "they didn't address the original question I 
> raised in introducing this thread, namely, the question of human 
> rights."
 
> M:
> I went back and re-read your original post and I am wondering
> what question you raised? I am hoping you realize I am not
> asking this to be sarcastic.

I raised the question: What are human rights?  French students cite the
right not to be fired from their first job. I suggested this was an example of 
Pirsig's "soup of sentiments" where emotions substitute for reason in 
establishing human rights. As you know, Pirsig went on to explain the 
metaphysical basis of human rights:

"This soup of sentiments about logically nonexistent entities can be 
straightened out by the Metaphysics of Quality. It says that what is 
meant by 'human rights' is usually the moral code of intellect-vs. -
society, the moral right of intellect to be free of social control. 
Freedom of speech; freedom of assembly, of travel; trial by jury; 
habeas corpus; government by consent-these 'human rights' are all 
intellect-vs.-society issues. According to the Metaphysics of Quality 
these "human rights" have not just a sentimental basis, but a rational, 
metaphysical basis. They are essential to the evolution of a higher 
level of life from a lower level of life. They are for real." (Lila,24)

M:
> You summarized the post with
> this statement:
 
> P: 
> "Pirsig called socialist cities "dull" places due to their lack of
> Dynamic Quality. He could have added "riotous" places due to a foul brew
> of wishful sentiments."

M: 
> So were you asking a question or just wanting to make a point about
> socialism relative to the moq and throwing it out there for general
> discussion?

Pirsig criticized socialism for its lack of dynamism. I criticized socialism
because it is based on "a soup of sentiments" rather than reason -- as 
demonstrated by the student riots in France.  

> So in considering your perspective, I can obviously sense your disdain
> for socialism (or at least these brands of it you are mentioning); this
> makes me curious - is there anything that you dislike about capitalism?

Compared to alternative economic systems, no. 

M:
> And, what do you see as a utopian economic model? How does the 
> moq fit (if at all, in your mind) into this model. 

The best economic model according to the MOQ is the free market 
because, as Pirsig explains in Chap. 17 of Lila, a free market is a 
dynamic institution. I agree.

I especially agree with Pirsig's rationale for New York City's 
undeniable dynamism:

"It's the freedom to be so awful that gives it the freedom to be so 
good." (Lila, 17)

Socialist's soup of sentimental "concerns for people" leads them to  
eliminate the freedom to be so "awful," thereby smothering freedom to 
be so good. Result: social cities are dull places -- except when 
punctuated by rioters demanding their "rights."

Hope you find this responsive to your questions.

Regards,
Platt