[MD] Unreality of Equality

[Platt Holden]

[Arlo]
> Look, Platt. I don't think we disagree much here. That one should
> "strive for excellence", as described by Pirsig, is something I think we
> could both agree on. No? Did you disagree with my characterization of
> Quality via the Eightfold Path, via Arete, via the Tao to be wrong?

Strive for excellence I translate as strive for beauty. But that's just 
picky.  Do I disagree with your characterization of Quality? No -- just 
too abstract to be meaningful to me without concrete examples. 

> My point, where will likely disagree, is whether or not the "pursuit of
> wealth" is synomous, related, unrelated, or antithetical to the "pursuit
> of excellence".

Related? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many who acquire wealth do so in 
pursuit of other interests and goals. Many who acquire wealth give  
generously for the betterment of others. Without wealth, the government 
would have nothing to redistribute to your poor and downtrodden. It is 
wealth that supports intellectual class that inhabits universities. So 
I don't knock those who produce wealth. Without them, I'd be a lot 
worse off. I think you have a lot to be grateful for them, too. Not so? 
 

Platt