[MD] The Quest for Quality

[Ham Priday]

Greetings, Margaret --

I've not had the pleasure of talking with you, but have read your posts with 
interest.


 > I don't have the problems with identity some of you have,
> because I don't know any of you. I haven't attached any
> specific characteristics to any of you - so you could all be
> one and the same and it wouldn't matter to me.

My full name is Hamilton Priday.  I reside in Pennsylvania, have probably 
lived too long, and am one of those evil conservatives who believe that 
survival in this life is the primary responsibility of the individual, not 
the state.  The "identity problems" have arisen from the fact that at least 
two participants insist on using a pseudonym instead of their real names. 
Heather, for example, is the wife of a young man who calls himself Sartori 
Adirondack (SA, for short), and posts in his wife's name.  Another gentleman 
named Case has, for reasons known only to himself, recently taken the alias 
Krimel.  Horse is apparently the real name of the MD administrator.  Other 
than those, and  recent interest in "virtual reality" avatars, I'm not aware 
of any other identity problems.

> I just read the text of what someone is trying to say without
> the labels.  I think it's more helpful in fact when people leave
> out that part of the exchange - the part where they accuse
> and label each other. What's wrong with simply exchanging
> information and thoughts? - not labels and judgments?

I agree with your approach to this forum, and tend to do the same. 
Unfortunately, there are a few posters who get their kicks from creative 
insults, especially when an opponent expresses something regarded as 
heretical to the MoQ.  (I happen to be among the victims.)

> Ham, in short paragraph with a concrete example,
> could you please (if you don't mind) explain what your
> perspective is about Essentialism. The concrete examples
> really help me understand better. As I'm sure you all
> grasp - I'm not completely fluid with the abstract
> philosophical language - but trying to learn.

Welcome to the club!  I'm not sure I can provide "concrete examples", but
will state my belief system in simple terms.

First of all, for something to be, it must be made aware. That puts 
awareness at the focal center of everything that exists.  It also suggests 
that experience actively "creates" our reality, rather than passively 
"receiving" it.

Second, nothing comes from nothing.  The fact that the universe exists means 
that it is the effect or result of some greater power.  Since 
cause-and-effect explanations lead to an infinity of prior causes, I 
maintain that the ultimate source (Essence) is uncreated, undivided, and 
unconditional.

Thirdly, contrary to Pirsig's metaphysics, Quality is a value perceived by a 
cognizant observer.  If a work of art, a piece of music, or the universe 
were to exist without being realized, how could its value or quality be 
discerned?  Parmenides said "Man is the measure of all things".  And he was 
right.

I think that's sufficient for a start.  If you still need concrete examples, 
I'll try to come up with some.

Good to talk with you, Margaret.

Regards,
Ham