[MD] Babylonian intellectuals

[David Thomas]

>>[DMB]
>> Despite that flaw....
>> 
>> "a culture that supports the dominance of intellectual values over social
>> values is absolutely superior to one that does not." (311)
>> 
> 
> [Platt]
> You leave the impression by taking this quote out of context that Pirsig
> supports your dull-city, liberty-smothering  socialist-communist allegiance.
> And you accuse me of intellectual dishonesty?

>>[DMB]
>> I think it's a real fight and it matters quite a lot who wins.

[Dave]

No question that it is "a real fight and it matters quite a lot who wins."
The question is whether the MoQ really brings anything new or better to the
field.

Arguably if after 15 years of heated discussions here there has been little
or any progress made on he issues surrounding the social and intellectual
levels let alone trying to unravel the mysteries of DQ the answer is very
little. If, as we see in this exchange, (which has remained constant and
consistent over the years) that the the political bias you brought to the
table when you first came in contact with Pirsig's work rules your moral
judgment of ideas, then the MoQ has added little or no value in helping
advance the decision making process or understanding of reality. Even for
Pirsig.  If ultimately our core understanding of reality is ruled by our
political biases I say let's break out the nukes and get it over with.

Some time ago Platt suggest to Krimmel that he read "Liberal Fascism" by
Jonah Goldberg. I picked it up of the publisher's overstock table some years
ago and recently made my second pass through it. I suggest that everyone,
but particularly DMB, read it if you haven't. Pay particular attention to
the relationship of pragmatism, William James, and John Dewey to socialism
and more importantly fascism. Yes it is a decidedly conservative POV but if
it's "a real fight and it matters quite a lot who wins" you might like to be
familiar with the past battles and the lives sacrificed in the name of
social/political bias.

Dave