[MD] The value of ritual

[plattholden at gmail.com]

Hi Bo, 

On 11 May 2010 at 8:31, skutvik at online.no wrote:

Platt, All! 
 
May 10 you wrote 

> Those who consider static patterns to be of less value than DQ might want
> to consider the positive effects of ritual in the practice of medicine. In
> an article about placebos entitled "The Magic Cure," the author concludes:

[Bo]
Where do you place rituals in the static hierarchy? Or do you see 
rituals as "stability" itself? Maybe you speak about that lower down.

[Platt]
I place rituals at the social and intellectual levels as a people phenomenon. 
(Atoms, ants and ardvarks need not apply except metaphorically.) For example, 
"critical thinking" based on SOL is a ritual practiced by intellectuals, most 
conspicuously in academia. No need to give examples of social rituals. They are 
all too common. 

> "It may be, then, that the simplest and least ethically hazardous way to
> capitalize on the placebo effect is to acknowledge that medicine isn't
> just a set of approved treatments -- it's also a ritual, with symbolism
> and meaning that are key to its efficacy. As its best, the ritual spurs
> positive expectations, sparks associations with past healing experiences,
> and eases distress in ways that can alleviate suffering. These meanings,
> researchers say, are what the placebo effect is really about."

{Bo]
The article baffled me greatly, as does the placebo effect in general. 
The most baffling part was that about patients who were informed that 
they got a sugar pill or saline injection and yet "got well".  I thought that 
would neutralize the placebo effect. Perhaps the thing is the social 
value of being cared for - treated - or receiving attention.

[Platt]
Yes. I see it as caused by the overwhelming human desire to be socially 
acceptable, made stronger by permission to believe in miracles from an 
authority figure. The motivation can be summed up by self-justification: "I'd 
rather be liked than right."  

[Bo]
Anyway it undermines SOM, that's for sure, but  does it undermine the 
SOL interpretation of the intellectual level? (I hear wing beats from 
Andre coming like a Harpy) No, its the objective scientific attitude that 
has revealed the placebo effect and does experiments on it, and as 
the article show - don't pooh-pooh it but really goes into the matter with 
an open mind.         
 
> http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/05/09/the_magic_cure
> /?page =full

[Platt previously]
> In addition, a recent article in the Wall St. Journal entitled "The Power
> of Lucky Charms" described various studies showing that ". . . the
> activation of superstition can yield performance-improving effects."
 
> Whether a from placebo or a lucky charm, the positive results from ritual
> appear to be demonstrable. In fact, Pirsig also sees the benefits of
> ritual: 
 
> "Phaedrus saw nothing wrong with this ritualistic religion as long as the
> rituals are seen as merely a static portrayal of Dynamic Quality, a
> signpost which allows socially pattern-dominated people to see Dynamic
> Quality." (Lila, 30)  

[Bo]
Right, here it is: "socially-patterned people" The natives of many 
places had witches and witch doctors who mixed som disgusting 
medicines and it worked, as did death spells and Voodoo dolls and a 
million other  such things, but God I'm glad intellect lodged on top of 
the social level and we have a medical profession that works on the 
premises of placebo being placebo. As said it does not heal broken 
bones or open clogged heart arteries.   

[Platt]
> Also interesting is Pirsig's description of the practice of Zen whereby
> ritual is deliberately imposed in order to enlighten.

[Bo]
IMO, the static rituals of ANY level was what made the DQ want to flee 
it and establish a new level. The drag of the social rituals made the 
thinkers of Greece (and India) establish their respective intellectual 
stages . The intellect of the West cemented into SOM and its 
(academic) rituals made young Phaedrus want to flee the Church of 
Reason. I speak in past tense because now that the Dynamic Urge 
has found its place at the top "All is quiet at the Western Front". Those 
who speak of a dynamic MOQ don't understand.      

[Platt]
Agree. As Pirsig explained, DQ's highest value is freedom from domination by  
static patterns. DQ is the moral force that created the levels, i.e., Dynamic 
freedom.

Best,
Platt