[MD] Decision

[Platt Holden]

Hi Horse, All:

After Pirsig specifically warned against issuing a Papal Bull, now we have
one.

A triumph for political correctness. A sad day for free speech.

Who would have imagined that a site guided by Dynamic Quality "whose only
perceived good is freedom" would come to this?

Regards,
Platt





On Mon, Jul 5, 2010 at 4:45 PM, Horse <horse at darkstar.uk.net> wrote:

> Hi Folks
>
> I've taken the weekend to think about the recent posts and conversations
> with regard to Bo's continued misrepresentation of Pirsig's position re:
> SOL.
>
> I think Arlo has summed up the position correctly when he said:
>
> #############################
> Arlo:
> Bo's MOQ = the intellectual level IS SOM.
> Pirsig's MOQ = the intellectual level is NOT SOM.
>
> Arguing one over the other is valid. Attempting to equate them, at the
> expense of suggesting the author is too stupid to understand what he himself
> "meant", is not.
> ##############################
>
> To my mind (and that of the majority of others who have expressed their
> views on MD) Pirsig has stated quite clearly that he does not see SOM/SOL as
> the Intellectual level. This has been backed up by direct quotes from Lila's
> Child and, in the absence of further evidence, it is reasonable to assume
> that this is how Pirsig continues to see his position.
>
> As far as I'm aware, there are no corresponding quotes to show that Pirsig
> does support SOM/SOL as the Intellectual level. This would mean that in
> order to arrive at the position that he does support SOM/SOL = Intellectual
> level one must use supposition, implication, inference etc.
> Arguing this position in this way is valid but to say that it is Pirsigs
> position that SOM/SOL = Intellectual level is not valid.
> If direct quotes can be found to show that Pirsig supports SOM/SOL =
> Intellectual level then I am quite prepared to change my position. By this I
> do not mean that it is good enough to say that Pirsig implies it or that it
> can be inferred that Pirsig supports it etc. I want actual quotes from
> Pirsig to say that he supports SOM/SOL = Intellectual level.
>
> Bo, and those that support Bo's position that SOM/SOL = Intellectual level,
> must make it quite clear that it is not Pirsigs position that SOM/SOL =
> Intellectual level when arguing for this position. To do otherwise is
> dishonest and misleading.
>
> Should Bo continue, as has done over the weekend, to insist and declare
> that Pirsig supports the SOL, is the originator of the SOL etc. then he will
> be removed from MD. Anyone else who maliciously, mischievously or otherwise
> does the same will be similarly removed.
> As far as I'm concerned this is an issue of honesty and integrity and if
> this isn't understood by those purporting to understand an issue that is at
> the heart of moral behaviour then some time may be needed to contemplate
> their reasons for being here in the first place. I think it is very
> unfortunate that it has come to this.
>
> I have said repeatedly that I do not want this to happen, but apparently it
> is not understood by some and is instead misrepresented by trying to turn
> this into a censorship issue. This is unfortunate but expected considering
> that the majority of those claiming censorship are the very ones to whom
> this position is of importance.
> I believe that I have tried very hard to avoid this over the last few weeks
> and,as such, will have absolutely no qualms about removing Bo or anyone else
> should he/they continue to misrepresent Pirsigs position and will do so with
> a clear conscience should this situation persist.
>
>
> Horse
>
>
>
>
>