[MD] A Place for the Principled Person

[David Harding]

Hi Case,
> [David]
> I'm not saying that we should all go and physically kill ourselves to put an
> end to all biological behavior.  I'm referring to the biological behavior
> that stands in stark contrast to society.  Murder, assault, rape are a few
> that come to mind.. there are many others.  Pirsig suggests the puritan
> model should be dusted off and each value judged impartially for what it is.
> I think this is a good idea.  
>
> "Drinking, dancing, sex, playing the fiddle, gambling, idleness: these are
> biological pleasures. Early puritan models were largely a suppression of
> biological quality."
>
> "When a society undermines intellectual freedom for its own purposes it is
> absolutely morally bad, but when it represses biological freedom for its own
> purposes it is absolutely morally good.  These moral bads and goods are not
> just 'customs'.  They are as real as rocks and trees"  
>
> -Lila pg 354.
>
> [Case]
> Murder, assault, and rape are acts of violence not necessarily "biological"
> behaviors. 
I disagree. They all destroy the proper functioning of a civilized 
society and are not 'intellectual' by any stretch of the imagination.

> These activities are regulated in all societies with varying
> degrees of success.
>   
I agree.
> As for biologically pleasurable activities these can be viewed as inciting
> the emotions. Emotions tend to lead to individual activities that may indeed
> be harmful to society. Clearly these issues get confused. Here in the South
> we say that Baptists condemn sex because it might lead to dancing.
>
> It is important to also be mindful that we are the first generations of
> humans on this planet who have been free of most of the biological
> consequences that our ancestors faced. Disease and unwanted pregnancy were
> common consequences of unrestricted sex in the not so distance past. In fact
> the 20 odd years between the development of the birth control pill and the
> outbreak of aids and herpes were like an oasis in the dessert of desire. One
> of the reasons moderns are able to discuss things like equal rights for
> women and explore a variety of social and sexual relationships is because we
> are the first to have the luxury.
>   

I agree. 

Is 'good physical health' a biological, social or intellectual level 
thing?  I think that it's good on all levels because each level relies 
on the level below.  Ultimately 'good physical health' is biologically 
good. Who doesn't like feeling physically fit?  But it's also socially 
good, a society is no good with a bunch of sick people. And also 
intellectually good, who can think while they're sick?  Because of 
this(being physically healthy is good for society) it is Good for society.

Cheers,

David.