[MD] subject / object logic

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Arlo had asked]
Thoughts are "real"?  I wonder if my thought of a glass of water will 
keep my from dehydrating?

[Platt]
Since you intimate that what you "wonder" isn't real, no need for 
anyone to pay attention to that or anything else you say.

[Arlo]
First, you never pay attention to what I say (as evidenced again here 
by your reply). Second, good luck having your "real" thoughts of 
water keep you from getting dehydrated.

[Platt]
It's like what Roger Scruton said about postmodernists. "They ask you 
not to believe them. So don't."

[Arlo]
Since Pirsig's philosophy is "postmodern", I assume you don't believe 
him either.

[Arlo had said]
But the "self" is a "reality" no more than a memory of a painting, or 
the recollection of hearing a beautiful sonnet.

[Platt]
Oh brother. Now memories aren't real.

[Arlo]
No, both memories and the self are equally "real", and equally 
"illusory", and are existentially similar.

But are you saying here your memory of dinner last night is "really" 
your dinner last night? I guess this would help those late night cravings.

[Platt]
Neither is history I suppose. No wonder you libs are so eager to 
ignore the wisdom of the past.

[Arlo]
Oh yes, we "libs" are sooo eager to ignore wisdom, deny freedom, side 
with the enemy, see American soldiers killed, lie, cheat and throw 
good, wholesome conservatives like yourself into gulags. Your 
constant pandering to right-wing talk radio nonsense continues to be 
shameless. Since I also gather this is simply more master-baiting, 
that you must feel an empty spot in your soul when your are not 
engaged in vitriolic exchanges with "commies", I'll pass. I have 
better things to do.

[Platt]
As shown in other posts, it seems what you call the Buddhist 
understanding of "self" is controversial...

[Arlo]
As is the MOQ. Its why we are discussing it.

[Platt]
... nor is it evident from the "illusory" thoughts of Pirsig that the 
MOQ is settled dictum on the subject.

[Arlo]
No, of course not. You can pick and choose which parts of the MOQ are 
of your liking all you want. I tend to think the Buddhist notions 
Pirsig derives his MOQ from are a high quality addition to my 
understanding of the world and my relation to it. If you don't, that 
is your choice.