[MD] Where was Quality before Pirsig?

[Ron Kulp]

[Ron]
When It gets to "symbol-as" it then enters Intellectual paradox, 
naturally.It's almost like when one arrives at the edge of syntax "it 
is", one conceptually reaches reflections and distortion.

[Arlo]
This is the problem of recursion or "self-referentiality", and it 
inherently leads to paradox. This is why intellectually, there will 
always be a "False Mirror" to any and all descriptions of "reality". 
Any metaphysics will always be incomplete, and the more it tries to 
bolster itself up to fill this void, the bigger the void becomes. 
Pirsig discovers this when he turns scientific methodology back onto 
science itself, and later when he demonstrates the absurdity of using 
the dialectical method on the dialectic itself.

We can only see the void out of the corner of our eyes, in momentary 
glances that fade as soon as intellectualization kicks in. Art is 
that which bumps us into these moments, allows us to see the void, if 
only for a second. But we are committing the most egregious 
intellectual fallacy if we believe for one minute we can contain the 
void in any structure, in any metaphysics, in any symbol system.

To paraphrase Pirsig again, about metaphysicians, "These 
metaphysicians think their subject is some kind of peppermint bonbon 
they're entitled to smack their fat lips on; something to be 
devoured; something to be intellectually knifed, forked and spooned 
up bit by bit with appropriate delicate remarks and I'm ready to 
throw up. What they smack their lips on is the putrescence of 
something they long ago killed."

Pirsig knew that penning Lila was committing the same act, but 
believed (I think) that what he was doing was, although not 
damage-free, undoing the more serious damage of the S/O 
metaphysicians. Like any who see the esoteric and attempt to frame 
it, the dangers of those who would chain it to some exoteric tree are 
always present.

As Samuel Bekkett said, "Every word is like an unnecessary stain on 
silence and nothingness".

On the other hand, he said that with words. (Arlo nods to Art 
Spiegelman for that one)


Ron:
Words that use Subject,object and possessive case syntax to describe
Mental awareness. Well said.