[MD] Arlo's Rant and 3rd levels

[Ham Priday]

Hey, WillBlake --


> I have to admit that, although I have bookmarked your thesis,
> I haven't gotten to reading it yet, no excuse really except maybe
> so little time and so much to look into. The length is a bit daunting too.
> However I do plan to get to it, since as I read your posts, I feel
> an affinity for your viewpoint, at least my interpretation of your
> viewpoint (which is the best I can do).

I appreciate your candor and am honored that you've chosen to bookmark my 
site.  Unfortunately, the length and language of the thesis seem to have 
intimidated many.  I'd like to make it more approachable (inviting?) , but 
so far haven't found a feasible way to simplify it.  Possibly you can come 
up with some suggestions.  Inasmuch as the MD is a forum dedicated to 
Pirsig's philosophy, however, it's probably best that discussions 
specifically regarding Essentialism be conducted privately.  Feel free to 
contact me off-line at hampday1 at verizon.net .

> I do not claim to fully understand MoQ, which is why I read this forum,
> and ask questions. And to be honest, much of the chatter I do not
> comprehend and therefore do not find useful. There are threads however
> that peak my interest (and no, the whole PC episode was not one of them).
>
> Like you, I am fascinated by the personal sense of this existence.
> While I can imagine how a brain can create some kind of consciousness,
> I still can't fathom why it is mine.
> There is certainly a piece there that cannot be answered to my
> satisfaction with logic or conjecture.
> I have turned to all sorts of philosophies east and west, but still cannot
> piece it together. I am not sure what I am looking for other than a sense
> of relief. Some little metaphor or story or something that will satisfy my
> curiosity. Even that may be an illusion, but it doesn't matter to me so 
> long
> as it works for me.
>
> Don't know if I can ever understand the subjective with the objective.

Existence is indeed a paradox for all of us.  But I've never heard it 
expressed in quite this way.  The difficulty most people have is 
understanding how the brain creates the conscious mind.  I find it 
intriguing that you would ask why that mind is yours.  For you, apparently, 
the paradox is one of "identity" rather than ontology.  Two suggestions: 1) 
Try forgetting that consciousness is identified with you, and see if you 
still conceive existence as a subject/object duality, and 2) Try imagining 
that existence is ONLY you, and see if the duality disappears.  The solution 
should lie somewhere between these two paradigms.

Actually your enigma would make a thought-provoking subject for this forum. 
Why not start a thread along the lines of "Whose consciousness am I?" or 
"Why is mind not universal?", and see what responses it generates.  I can 
think of a few participants who'd have a ball with this.  It could also 
enlighten both of us as to how the Pirsigians understand subjectivity, since 
they don't acknowledge a subject.

Your thoughts are interesting, and I look forward to further dialogue with 
you, on-line or off.

Essentially yours,
Ham