[MD] The MOQ and Death

[Ham Priday]

Andre to Ham::

> What is logically inconsistent about DQ/SQ? They have both
> dependently arisen Ham. Quality does not exist in and of itself
> like some veil hanging behind the static patterns... as some
> Absolute 'entity'. Quality is not some Deity waiting to create
> SQ's because he is bored.  DQ is a characteristic of SQ.
> (from a conventional pov.). It is the 'undifferentiaed aesthetic
> continuum' (Northrop).

Quality "does not exist in and of itself," -- PERIOD.  That much I'll give 
you.
It is not an "entity" unto itself but is dependent on the realization of a 
value-sensible subject.  It is in fact our (biological, emotional, 
intellectual) response to Value.

As for an "undifferentiated aesthetic continuum", I have not read Northrup 
(whose theories apparently wielded a significant influence on Pirsig's 
thought), but I regard any continuum as differentiated.   Evolution or 
history is a series of differentiated events.  The light spectrum is a 
continuum of differentiated colors.  The stream of consciousness is a 
continuum of discrete experiences.  One may claim "homogeneity" for a 
continuum, but unless it is differentiated by numbers or attributes, a 
continuum is incapable of realization, hence is not knowable

Ham:
> Yet, Quality (=Reality=Experience) is posited as undergoing
> the process of evolution to "betterness".

 Andre:
> Quality is not 'undergoing' anything Ham, Quality is what accounts
> for the dynamic 'aha' moments leading the MoQ to allow for a
> better explanation of SQ 'evolution'.

Well, I'm having an 'aha' moment right now!  Why is my idea of this moment 
not a "static pattern" like all my other thoughts and experiences?  You 
stated above that DQ and SQ "have both dependently arisen."  Arisen from 
WHAT?  Dynamic and static notwithstanding, if Quality is not the primary 
source, what is it "dependent" on, and how can it "account for" evolution, 
existence, or anything else?

And, while we're at it, what logical explanation accounts for a Static 
Quality that "evolves" and a Dynamic Quality that does not?

As you can see, this hierarchy scheme is a persistent source of confusion to 
me.
Each new explanation offered only compounds the problem.

But thanks for you patience, Andre.

--Ham