[MD] French ingredient in the soup of sentiments

[Platt Holden]

[Platt previously}
> Platt goes on the say:  "I've always claimed that  the intellect is
> individual, not social, and  have even advocated changing Pirsig's
> intellectual level to the  "individual level." Do either of you feel
> this might be a positive step  in clarifying the distinction between the 
> social and intellectual levels?"
 
[SA]
>      Yes,  it is a positive step. 

You are the first to agree with my proposal. Welcome aboard!

> Yet, I would add
> what the individual intellectualizes is not
> necessarily only in the mind of the individual.

If I read you right, you agree with Scott and me that mind is not confined 
to man's brain. Rather, the brain accesses mind that is infused in all 
things and exists everywhere at once. 

> The
> intellect is to become a mirror of life that is much
> larger than just any particular culture.

Yes, but I would put it, "A mirror of the heavens that is larger than any 
particular culture."

> I say
> become, due to the influx of DQ that would take
> intellect into a much fuller realization of the
> overall quality that is.  This DQ influx I have argued
> stabilizes intellect in a quality world that is not
> only human fashioned, but is non-human thought, too. 
> Thereby we realize in a quality world, a world that is
> not just a human view, but a world that includes
> participation of stars, squirrels, and all else here.

Yes, and especially a world that includes the participation of beauty,  
betterness and perfection. Pirsig hints at this higher world that you and 
I agree exists (along with Plato and a few other philosphers not to 
mention religious scholars) by stating:

"Third, there were moral codes that established the supremacy of the 
intellectual order over the social order--democracy, trial by jury, 
freedom of speech, freedom of the press. Finally there's a fourth Dynamic 
morality which isn't a code. He supposed you could call it a "code of Art" 
or something like that, but art is usually thought of as such a frill that 
that title undercuts its importance. The morality of the brujo in Zuni-
that was Dynamic morality." (Lila, 13) 

At one time on this site there was a rip roaring discussion about the 
existence (or not) of a level above the intellectual level. I said yes, 
many said no. Not surprisingly, the issue was never settled to everyone's 
satisfaction. :-)

Platt