[MD] Dewey's Zen

[Ant McWatt]

> Tuukka:
> Not all philosophy discussions are very essentially Dynamic when they 
> happen. How about dull, patterned and predictable philosophy discussions?
> 

Ant McWatt comments:

I can definitely believe that... thinking back to some of the logic lectures I fell asleep in! :-)

> Tuukka:
> I'd say it's romantic instead of Dynamic. I don't think ordinary 
> activities, such as riding the bike, are Dynamic, or that being Dynamic 
> would be their most important essence. Their most important essence is 
> not, in practice, very unfathomable.

Ant McWatt comments:

Where new ideas come from (such Henri Poincare's theory on how the subliminal self chooses the best mathematical solutions) could be thought of as essentially mysterious i.e. Dynamic.

Learning to ride a bike is a Dynamic process.  Riding a bike when you know how - when it is second nature - is indeed static.

BTW, the notions of romantic and classic quality aren't part of the MOQ in LILA.  For the sake of clarification (especially concerning the academics  that you referred to in your recent letter; let alone new readers to Pirsig's work!) it would be better to stick to one framework or the other.

Best wishes,

Anthony




> Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:43:04 +0300
> From: mail at tuukkavirtaperko.net
> To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
> Subject: Re: [MD] Dewey's Zen
> 
> Ant, Andre
> >
> > Ant:
> > The exact quote would be helpful but, yes, Pirsig has written/said similar elsewhere.  
But to clarify, I'd say the activity of conceptualising is Dynamic (i.e. the creative artistic part) 
while the rules and symbols themselves are static.
> 
> Tuukka:
> I'd say it's romantic instead of Dynamic. I don't think ordinary 
> activities, such as riding the bike, are Dynamic, or that being Dynamic 
> would be their most important essence. Their most important essence is 
> not, in practice, very unfathomable.
> 
> If you asked a mystic how to ride a bike, he'd probably show you. That's 
> romantic quality, but it's not something one "doesn't normally expect". 
> One does expect to be able to ride the bike after having once learnt it. 
> The basic principle of riding a bike is always the same.
> 
> But if you asked the mystic, what is the purpose of life, I think to 
> that he'd answer: Dynamic Quality.
> 
> > Ant:
> >
> > For instance, while I write this e-mail, that
> > is Dynamic.  By the time you read it, it will be static.  A philosophy
> > discussion is Dynamic - while it happens.  A recording of the discussion
> > will be static.  Same with a philosophy book (it's a static product of a - 
> > largely - Dynamic process).  Moreover, any NEW thoughts you
> >   have inspired by the philosophy book (or my e-mail or the discussion)
> > is Dynamic.
> 
> Tuukka:
> Not all philosophy discussions are very essentially Dynamic when they 
> happen. How about dull, patterned and predictable philosophy discussions?