[MD] Static & Dynamic Simultaneously

[MarshaV]

Hi Ron,



On Sep 3, 2012, at 4:06 PM, X Acto <xacto at rocketmail.com> wrote:

> On Sep 3, 2012, at 1:13 PM, david buchanan <dmbuchanan at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> QUOTES FROM PIRSIG that I take as evidence for the claim that static patterns are a necessary ingredient for dynamic freedom and the art of rationality. I take this as evidence against relativism ..., which has infected a few MOQers."
> 
> Marsha:
> Speaking of being relative, try this:
> 
> Anthony writes:
> “Intellectual values include truth, justice, freedom, democracy and, trial by jury. It’s worth noting that the MOQ follows a pragmatic notion of truth so truth is seen as relative in his system while Quality is seen as absolute.  In consequence, the truth is defined as the highest quality intellectual explanation at a given time.
> 
> RMP:
> If the past is any guide to the future this explanation must be taken provisionally; as useful until something better comes along. One can then examine intellectual realities the same way he examines paintings of in an art gallery, not with an effort to find out which one is the ‘real’ painting, but simply to enjoy and keep those that are of value. There are many sets of intellectual reality in existence and we can perceive some to have more quality than others, but that we do so is, in part, the result our history and current patterns of values. (Pirsig, 1991, p.103)”
> 
> (McWatt, Anthony, 'MOQ Textbook')
> 
> Ron responds:
> Well, if one looks past the semantics, what Ant and RMP are saying is that truth is"the highest quality intellectual
> explanation" taking into account that MoQ's intellectual explanation of truth is the Dynamic cutting edge of 
> experience, not that truth does not exist, or that it is simply a matter of opinion, but the most empirically verifyable
> experience there is,the immediate NOW. High quality EXPLANATIONS are relative to culture, history and
> current values.BUT QUALITY is seen as absolute.

Relative to one's history, one's current patterns of value, and the dynamics "at a given time."  Relative is relative (Whether you agree with it or not.); and the statement was "the MOQ follows a pragmatic notion of truth so truth is seen as relative in his system".  Of course 'truth' exists; it is an intellectual static pattern of value.


> We can sling Quotes all week,

Dozens of naked quotes (unadored by explanation) that dmb magically insinuate support his view.  Why whine to me?  


> but once we start using our brains, it's this explanation that holds the greatest
> contextual meaning. Whether you agree with it or not.
> 
> Pragmatists win this one hands down.

Sure, and I've already acknowledged that pragmatic means useful and/or practical.  I can agree with that.  Static patterns of value continue to exist because they are useful.  It is nice that we agree.  



Marsha