[MD] Distinguishing Levels

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting case at ispots.com:

> [Platt]
> > Like I asked, how does what you say, if true, move evolution towards
> > betterness or indicate the arrival of a new life form on the planet?
> 
> [Case]
> The notion of "betterness" has nothing to do with evolution. Evolution is
> a biological theory of how species and populations find balance in the
> environment. "Betterness" is a value judgement that you can make if it
> makes you feel "better" but it has no place in biology.
> 
> Case

Of course, to science there are no values or morals. Just the facts. But to Pirsig,
the force behind evolution is a moral force. "When inorganic patterns of reality
create life the Metaphysics of Quality postulates that they've done so because it's
"better" and that this definition of "betterness"—this beginning response to Dynamic
Quality—is an elementary unit of ethics upon which all right and wrong can be based."
But, as Pirsig points out, science's declaration of freedom from value judgments is
phony. Is it OK for a biologist to fake his observations or measurements?

Platt


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