[MD] How far do you go to preserve individual life?

[plattholden at gmail.com]

Thanks, Andre. I think you've spotted Pirsig's answer to the original question 
posed by the two scientists, Note 92 in Lila's Child. For those not have access 
to that note, here it is in full:

"92. I think the MOQ would say that society has a moral right to control 
biology.  The danger is in that in controlling biology society creates customs 
that injure society itself. Clearly the cost of caring for biologically 
defective people is a burden on society, but the question is, if society 
sanctions the murder of a defective fetus, what other kinds of murder is it 
going to sanction?  Think of the money that could be saved by executing ALL 
criminals, ALL mentally ill people, ALL people with an IQ below 100, ALL old 
people,  ALL people with poor DNA patterns, ALL people who can't do 40 pushups, 
and so on.  The question is, where do you cut it off?  I personally am pro-
choice, but I understand the moral integrity of those who are not.  It is a 
matter for society through its mechanisms of politics to decide and keep 
deciding as it evolves toward a better world."

This makes sense to me. I personally hope that through the mechanism of 
politics our society decides to not regress to failing socialist health 
programs but rather encourage evolution through responses to Dynamic Quality   
a free market provides. 

Thanks again, Andre. 

Platt


On 14 Sep 2010 at 22:25, Andre Broersen wrote:

>   Platt inviting Andre to respond:
> 
> "How would the MOQ make that decision? There's no direct answer that I 
> can find in Pirsig's writings.
> 
> Andre:
> Well Platt, I suppose, if you look upon 'answer' as an end-point you are 
> correct. Mr. Pirsig never intended the MOQ to provide answers in that 
> sense but I think that the MOQ does provide a larger context within 
> which to place the subject of this thread.
> 
> Platt:
> I presume that if the patient was of sound mind and, from his past 
> history,... .
> 
> Andre:
> Here you are creating a precondition. What does 'sound mind' mean? Who 
> is to judge this soundness? Are we looking here perhaps at the quality 
> (adjective)of the ability to apprehend Quality? (just a thought).
> 
> Platt:
> '...could potentially offer something of intellectual value during the 
> remaining six or so weeks of his life, he should receive the drug.
> 
> Andre:
> Continuing the precondition. Offer something to whom? Next, are we going 
> to have a panel of people judging the content of what could possibly be 
> intellectually offered, Platt? Or are you referring to the quality of 
> apprehending Quality mentioned above?
> 
> Platt:
> Otherwise, the social value of his life would rule which, as the Giant 
> would judge, isn't worth a pence.
> 
> Andre:
> My understanding of the medical profession, Platt, and having worked 
> with many of them and having been totally dependent on their care a few 
> times is that not many share the values of, as you call it, the Giant. 
> Maybe that is what it is like in the States, I do not know.
> Many, if not all of the medical carers I have met identify with LILA's 
> doctor/germ example. Society has a moral right to control biology. These 
> people care and they are incredibly dedicated to their work and have an 
> acute sense of their responsibilities.
> If it comes to being a matter of life and death, quality of life issues 
> are always taken into consideration (there are very strict guidelines 
> doctors need to adhere to here in the Netherlands) and never, to my 
> knowledge, are financial considerations taken into account.
> 
> The other issue of course is that if, under some circumstances, society 
> is to neglect (or even stop) the preservation of individual life, for 
> example on the basis of financial considerations, what other 
> considerations is it going to sanction? I think your 'Giant would judge' 
> remark would be a sad reflection of the social values that hold sway in 
> any given culture. I agree with Mr. Pirsig when he says that 'It is a 
> matter for society through its mechanisms of politics to decide and keep 
> deciding as it evolves toward a better world. ( LC, Annot:92)
> 
> Platt:
> Biologically the poor soul would be best recycled."
> 
> Andre:
> You mean food for the tree?, the vulture?, the Giant?, the flames?
> 
> Now, from a dynamic perspective... oh la la.
> 
> 
> 
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