[MD] The Primal No

[plattholden at gmail.com]

All:

Lest one wonder about the explanatory power of the MOQ, a moment's 
reflection on the first word uttered by a child should help dispel doubts.

Invariably a child's first utterance (after a stab at "Mama" or "Dada") is, 
"No."  The meaning is obvious: "I don't value that!" The division between 
high/low value is recognized early on.

In fact, the division goes deep down in the biological level. If I serve my 
cat, UTOE, food he doesn't like, he manifests the division in no 
uncertain terms. Further down, my white cells will attack an intruding 
germ with  vigorous intent.

Even at the inorganic level, the bonding of atoms depends upon a 
multiple series of "Yes" and "No" divisions. See:

 http://webs.morningside.edu/slaven/Physics/atom/atom7.html  

Evolution can be said to be an increase an entity's ability to make value 
divisions.  While an atom's choices are few and far between,  a human's 
life encompasses a million choices between the no choices of life and 
death.

The validity of Pirsig's claim that the world is value-centered is obvious. 
But the cultural immune system thoroughly hides it. It's the elephant in 
the metaphysical room. Maybe, like in the fable of the Emperor's New 
Clothes, it will take a child to expose it  . . . with an emphatic, "No!"

Regards,
Platt