[MD] Why are things called patterns?

[David Harding]

Hi Mark,

I agree with all that you have written. Truth is indeed temporary. 

But until a better truth comes along it is all we have.  In fact, the best truth is the best thing we have.  Good is a noun rather than an adjective. That is why Pirsig makes this claim.  Until something better comes along...  Good is a noun.

If a 747 plane is crashing, and the only pilot alive is one who has flown fighter planes, then it's right to go with the one who has flown fighter planes over any other passenger.  Temporarily that fighter pilot is the best one we have so it's right to go with him.  It's true he's the best pilot.

In the same way we're here discussing what the best description of the MOQ is. Not the be all and end all description. But the best one we have right now.  Yes this will ad infinitum get replaced by something better. But without the static latch of saying what is good and what is not good, we'd never be able to communicate with each other.   This is why Pirsig called them patterns.  Because without our intellects which 'create' these static patterns of good, things would just be chaotic and unintelligible.

-David.