[MD] Quick one: causation

[skutvik at online.no]

Hello David Swift

14 Jan.you wrote:

> Hello Marsha, Bo and Chris; I feel a little misunderstood. My own fault
> really; I wasn't clear. 
 
Misunderstood we all feel we are, so that's no reason for 
withdrawal. ;-)  It was such fun to meet someone who knew  Plato 
and Kant, the former at least being so crucial for the MOQ.  

> I'm a huge fan of Kant but he didn't get everything right either. I
> only wanted to observe that all of his categories are comparative, and
> the basis for each comparison is Quality. German idealism is as alien
> to MoQ as Plato's realism. I get that, but although I've been a huge
> fan of Pirsig's and have read ZMM at least forty times I haven't drank
> all the Kool Aid yet and won't until something convinces me that MoQ
> describes my reality. 

I guess Kant got it as right as SOM allowed. IMO Plato was the 
chief instigator of the S/O (mind/matter) metaphysics and Kant it's 
final stage. The MOQ is of course not known outside this circle. I 
guess it will take some centuries until it's recognized.   
 
> By the way, Bishop Berkeley was related to the Irish Swifts and
> probably one of my ancestors. His idealism was extreme; it's more
> likely that Kant was closer to the truth, the mind interprets "the
> thing itself".
 
I was about to ask the silly question if Jonathan Swift was a 
relative. His "Gulliver's Travels" was my childhood favorite. I was 
fascinated by the idea of giants and "minutemen", now I know that 
it's impossible, still ....  Of late  I've read the original  version and 
realize that it may be more of a social critique than an adventure. 

> Your comments are a puzzle to me. You've given me something to think
> about, let me reread Lila and get back to you in a few weeks.

Of course, we have been discussing  within this circle too long and 
believe that newcomers have read Pirsig's books and the archives.

> I apologize; I've only been following along for a week or so and don't
> know each of your positions. Let me fade back for awhile until I get a
> better feel for you guys. - thanks david swift

No need to withdraw to learn, but welcome any time David.

Bo