[MD] Uncertainty

[John Carl]

David,

Welcome.  Great words.  I'm gonna pick out what struck me...


> Bo, here is as good a place to start as any. If RMP was just going to slide
> a new foundation under Western Philosophy as he claimed what you suggest
> might work. But remember his quest in part started because of the
> "Indians."
> Be they, Crow, Cheyenne, Sioux, Maya, Aztec, Hindoo Indians, Chinese,
> Japanese etc.



I've not thought of that use of the word "Indian".  My daughter is always
whacking me over the head if I use the term to refer to Native Americans,
ever since she got back from India.  But I like this usage to mean
"non-European":  more inclusive.



> In fact all the other people in the world. The majority. None
> of whom initially developed their world view under the Western S/O
> umbrella.
> The second goal he set for himself was to bring all these folks (everybody)
> under a metaphysical umbrella. Unite Western and Eastern (read all other
> heathen "Indians") philosophies. One of those "make no small plans" quests.
>
>
Yay "make no small plans" quests!




> Now if we modify the MoQ as you propose we are faced with some dilemmas.
>
> Either all the "Indians", the majority of the people of the world have not
> evolved to the SOL (Intellectual) level because by RMP's original premise,
> insight, whatever, they are outside the Western fold. Or they have, but
> either are not aware of it or have chosen not to make it part of their
> foundation.



It seems to me that the earliest Zen writings reflected both the prevalence
of subjects and objects as the "official worldview" and offer enlightened
transcendence of the social and intellectual dilemmas imposed.    Thus a
clear evolution to SOL and a way of dealing with it.

I have a bone to pick with the classification of intellect with words.  I
think that there is possible high-quality mind-endeavors such as painting,
composing, architecture (Invented by the Greeks you know, before the Greeks
named it, people didn't even notice what shape their house was) that are
examples of non-verbal intellect.

But then, I think drumming and dancing are also rational activity so maybe
I'm just crazy.

Crazy John