[MD] Distinguishing Levels (Individual level)

[Platt Holden]

> [Platt previously]
> See, with you guys it is always absolutely NEVER one or the other.
> 
> [Arlo then]
> That's right. Because the dichotomy is false. 
> 
> [Platt]
> Glad to see you invoking an absolute, proving my point.
> 
> [Arlo]
> The only point that is proven is your tenacious clinging to false
> dichotomies, in the hope of using them to "prove" some political agenda.

So is the dichotomy true or false? 

> [Platt] 
> Check the context of Pirsig's statement which you deliberately omitted.
> He is obviously referring to human beings.
> 
> [Arlo]
> You cat is incapable of responding to Dynamic Quality? Isn't an amoeba
> on a glass, moving away from acid, responding to Dynamic Quality? If
> not, what is it responding to? Static quality? That hardly makes sense.

An amoeba moving away from acid is responding to DQ? Like saying my 
stepping out of the way of oncoming truck or hopping off a hot stove is 
responding to DQ. Surely you jest.

> [Arlo]
> But I think Pirsig is quite clear here. "Dynamic v. static" is in no way
> akin to "intellectual v. social". To attempt to pervert Pirsig in this
> way, is merely more Party Propaganda.
> 
> [Platt]
> So you say without evidence.
> 
> [Arlo]
> ??? Ridiculous. Okay, I'll reprint two clear quotes.
> 
> "In this plain of understanding static patterns of value are divided
> into four systems: inorganic patterns, biological patterns, social
> patterns and intellectual patterns."
> 
> "But Dynamic Quality is not structured and yet it is not chaotic. It is
> value that cannot be contained by static patterns."
> 
> In the first, it is clear that the "intellectual level" is composed of
> static patterns. In the second, it is clear that Dynamic Quality can not
> be contained by static patterns, such as static intellectual patterns.

So how come the repeatable, predictable static pattern of an amoeba 
reacting to acid is responding to Dynamic Quality? 

Platt