[MD] Intellectual Level

[Horse]

Hi Platt

So far you've said:

[Platt]
All words, numbers, punctuation and other aspects of language are 
imaginary symbols, imaginary meaning "not real."

[Platt]
As I stated and now repeat, all words like "Subjects" and "Objects" and 
"levels" are imaginary symbols.
The word "Objects" is an imaginary symbol.
The words "a rock", "a plant" and "a pig" are all imaginary symbols.

The above was in relation to your comment:

[Platt]
SOM is the level of manipulation of imaginary symbols which are taken by 
some to have the same reality as concrete material existence.

You also said:

[Platt]

I have already shown you Note 25 where he says the intellectual level is 
the level of manipulation of symbols. In Lila he describes metaphysics 
as like a menu without food, i.e. imaginary. If you want to assuage your 
hunger by eating the menu, good luck with that.

I cannot see any reference by Pirsig to show that symbols are imaginary 
or not real so in what sense are you using the word 'real'?
Do you mean that something is not real if it does not physically exist? 
Do you mean that if something is not real then it has no existence or is 
not any part of reality - i.e. it cannot be experienced? Or do you mean 
something else?

Horse




"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production 
deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid."
— Frank Zappa