[MD] Problems with Intellectual control of Society

[Ham Priday]

John, Platt, and all -- 

This is my second request for an explanation.

On 8 Oct 2009 John Carl wrote:
> The current economic collapse is a good illustration of the
> failure of intellect to inform social evolution.
>
> I think a fixed system that promotes DQ, like capitalism and
> the MOQ itself, is better able to avoid disaster Or, if disaster
> occurs, DQ systems are likely to lead to a quicker recovery
> than static S/O intellect systems.

Human beings live in a world of objects and events which, according to Mr. 
Pirsig, is SOM thinking.  If intellect is the power to think analytically, 
it would seem to have played a major role in organizing human society as a 
moral system with rules of behavior that facilitate cooperative endeavors, 
such as commerce and industry, for the benefit of all members of society. 
Frankly, I don't view capitalism, which responds to changing marketing needs 
and uses the profit motive to encourage individual creativity, as a "fixed 
system".  But whether civilized society is a "static S/O intellect system" 
or a "DQ system", such terms are irrelevant --so long as it works.  When it 
doesn't work, society historically has identified the factors responsible 
and taken rational steps to correct them.

In my reading on social evolution, I have never seen "static" referred to as 
a corrupting factor or making society "more dynamic" cited as a remedy for 
disaster.  Nor have I seen anything in Pirsig's writings that would support 
the view that "capitalism promotes DQ."   Perhaps you or someone else here 
can explain to me exactly what "intellectual control of society" means to 
the average Pirsigian and how it differs from the application of analysis 
and reason (i.e., intellect) to solve social problems.

Thanks for your help,
Ham