[MD] Bo's weak versus strong interpretation of quantum physiks

[Krimel]

[Platt]
Obviously you feel good about what makes sense. So do I, especially when I 
became convinced that Pirsig made a great deal of sense when he wrote: The 
Metaphysics of Quality would show how things become enormously more 
coherent-fabulously more coherent-when you start with an assumption that 
Quality is the primary empirical reality of the world." (Lila, 5)

[Krimel]
Emotions are primary. This is true ontogenetically and phylogenetically. It
is hard to image who could possibly think otherwise. But the fact that
emotions come first does not make them either more reliable or more
practical. Reason is an evolutionary enhancement.

[dmb quotes Pirsig]
In the past our common universe of reason has been in the process of
escaping, rejecting the romantic, irrational world of prehistoric man. It's
been necessary since before the time of Socrates to reject the passions, the
emotions, in order to free the rational mind for an understanding of
nature's order which was as yet unknown. Now it's time to further an
understanding of nature's order by reassimilating those passions which were
originally fled from. The passions, the emotions, the affective domain of
man's consciousness, are a part of nature's order too. The central part.
(ZAMM p. 294)


dmb says:
Like the classic-romantic split or the static-dynamic distinction, the idea
is to include them both. The idea is to integrate reason and the affective
domain to produce an expanded and improved form of rationality.

[Krimel]
Who has disputed this? 

[dmb]
The classification of static quality into levels helps us see that Pirsig is
not simply saying we should we become hedonists or live on our instincts. 

[Krimel]
The classification of static quality is always an somewhat arbitrary
process. Pirsig's levels in this case are no exception. Classifying static
patterns is what Eddington dismissed as "stamp collecting."

[dmb]
You know why he's calling the affective domain of man's consciousness "the
central part" or nature's order? He's talking about Quality. The "passions"
also include the creative spirit, the ability to form a hypothesis, to hit
your target on the fly, and all those other forms of skilled engagement. In
those situations the "emotions" are not just things like sadness and anger.
It's far more subtle and complex but it certainly involves the use of
"feelings" as real information. 

[Krimel]
The passions also include anger, greed, lust, hate, and fear. Those
affective domains are the central part of the natural order and reason is a
new part of the natural order that helps us escape from the dictates of that
older "natural order". Reason and emotion do work together. More often than
not emotions are "reasonable" and reason serves our emotions. How could it
be otherwise?

[dmb]
Or, to be perfectly blunt about it, you're just advocating squareness. The
lifeless voice of that bloodless, heartless reason is the main enemy of the
MOQ and it's coming out of your mouth. When you read Moby Dick, I'll bet you
cheered for the whale. 

[Krimel]
Reason ought to tell us that there is a time and place for emotions. But in
the years I have spent reading your posts I can see why you must think that
reason is the main enemy of the MoQ. It really shows in your writing.