[MD] Betternes - 4 levels of!

[plattholden at gmail.com]

On 9 Nov 2010 at 16:32, Ham Priday wrote:

I can understand your skepticism, Platt.  You feel that to theorize about 
the ineffable by intellectual means is blowing in the wind, inasmuch as we 
can never test the theory.  At the same time, we are all endowed with 
discriminating sensibility and rationality, and if these faculties are the 
Creator's gift to us for a reason, might it not be to point to a solution 
within our grasp?  Judeo-Christians believe "man was created in the image of 
God."  I happen to believe that the values we realize are the essence of 
that transcendent source, that Value itself is our link to Absolute Essence. 
Inject that concept with a bit of intuitional insight, and you may just come 
up with a rationale that approximates the truth that is hidden from us.

Hi Ham,

I'm with you. Just not in the same way. I agree that values emanate from a 
transcendent source. You call it Absolute Essence. Buddhists call it Atman. 
Scientists call it Energy. I call it Cosmic Consciousness.  And, I too inject 
that concept with a bit of intuitional insight, only instead of coming up with 
a rationale that approximates the hidden truth, I come up with beauty's impact 
as revealing truth -- beauty being another gift from the Creator.  Each of us 
has the same goal, and each respects the other's methods of grasping it. So I 
see our difference as a matter of emphasis, not controversy.

But, I wonder, Ham. What is it that draws you to this site? Since you disagree 
with much of Pirsig's views, what do you find here of continuing interest? 
Just curious. 

As always, warm regards,
Platt