[MD] The first division of the MOQ. - dynamic or Dynamic Quality?

[David Harding]

Hi Ham,

> Anthony McWatt, who is regarded here as the "official interpreter" of Pirsig's MoQ, explains Dynamic Quality thusly:
> 
> "Dynamic Quality is the term given by Pirsig to the continually changing flux of immediate reality while static quality refers to any concept abstracted from this flux.  Pirsig equates Dynamic Quality with F.S.C. Northrop's 'indeterminate aesthetic continuum' which refers to the divine in experience and can only be understood properly through direct apprehension. Hence the use of the term "dynamic" which indicates something not fixed or determinate."   --[A. McWatt: 'Pirsig's Metaphysics of Quality']
> 
> Now a "continually changing flux" that is "not fixed" and is also described as an "aesthetic continuum" indicates motion or progession to me, especially as it relates to four levels of an evolutinary heirarchy.  So I don't know why you think my "interpretation of ordinary MOQ is strange."  How do YOU interpret it?

Does a Pirsig quote trump an Anthony McWatt one?

"Unfortunately 'static' and 'Dynamic' have a meaning in physics that refers to space and time and motion and this can be confused with the static and Dynamic of the MOQ" - Lila's Child.

> They ancients weren't talking about "quality"; they were describing an immutable deity.  Since empirical reality is "defined", perhaps "undefined" would be a more suitable label for what Pirsig confusingly calls "Dynamic Quality".

I think you may have an argument here but I'm yet to be sold.

>> All metaphysical ideas are capable of empirical verification.
>> You're trying them on right now.  Are they any good?
> 
> I don't know whose metaphysical ideas you have in mind, but empirical verification cannot be applied to concepts that transcend the physical (i.e., experiential) world.  Nor do I make such a claim for the tenets of Essentialism.
> 
> In short, David, you haven't convinced me that anything I said is wrong.

You try on someone else's ideas all the time Ham. These words that I am speaking now. Are they mine? Did I invent these words? Of course I didn't and yes I'm still testing them to see how well they fit reality. Maybe one day a new word will come along that describes things better and I'll use that. And on and on.