[MD] Philosophy and Philosophology

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

[John]
You can't fault Platt for villifying academia; it is a running thread through
ZAMM and the evolution of the MoQ, after all.

[Arlo]
Sure. There are criticisms to be made. I'm the first one in line making them.
But simple ad infinitum anti-intellectual demonizing is not the answer. As I
said, this is evident by Pirsig's own ongoing support of Ant and DMB. 

Pirsig criticizes a lot in ZMM, not just academia. He criticizes quite strongly
modes of production and consumption, consumerism, and the "status quo"
materialism of modern culture. Also keep in mind that right-wing
anti-intellectualism almost cost Pirsig his job, being branded a "radical
professor" by right-wing politicians. I doubt he has much sympathy for that
form of anti-intellectual radicalism. Again, his involvement with Ant and DMB
demonstrates that clearly.

I'd also point out that Pirsig's criticisms of the "academy" in ZMM reflect
criticisms not of the "Church of Reason", but of the brick and mortar
institutions that profess to house said Church. 

Again, if Pirsig felt evil perfessery commies were misrepresenting the MOQ, I
doubt he'd be as vocally supportive of Ant and DMB as he is, and I doubt he'd
see DMB as the voice in this forum that pulls people who "stray" back into line
with his (Pirsig's) intended meaning.