At this time I cannot recommend this page as anything more than a remembrance or echo of what Pirsig wrote. I had planned to construct a forum here in which to philosophologize more seriously, but recent circumstances in my life have demanded my attention most strenuously; also, the MoQ site is already doing it! But continue if you wish to the bottom of this page for some useful & entertaining links about Pirsig & his thought.
On religion vs. science:
Scientific truth has always contained an overwhelming difference from theological truth: it is provisional. Science always contains an eraser, a mechanism whereby new Dynamic insight could wipe out old static patterns without destroying science itself. Thus science, unlike orthodox theology, has been capable of continuous, evolutionary growth. As Phaedrus had written on one of his slips, "The pencil is mightier than the pen."Lila, p.222
In his book Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, Carl Sagan recounts a conversation he had with the Dalai Lama in which the Dalai Lama admits that if reincarnation can be proven a false belief, then Buddhism must change rather than cling to the myth. Why must many Christian sects cling to dogmatic myth in the face of clear reason?
On the decline of society:
It seems as though a society that is intolerant of all forms of degeneracy shuts off its own Dynamic growth and becomes static. But a society that tolerates all forms of degeneracy degenerates. Either direction can be dangerous.... how do you tell the saviors from the degenerates? Particularly when they look alike, talk alike and break all the rules alike? Freedoms that save the saviors also save the degenerates and allow them to tear the whole society apart. But restrictions that stop the degenerates also stop the creative Dynamic forces of evolution.Lila, pp. 223-4
What did honest, law-abiding Hebrews in Judaea think of the wild-eyed apostles of the soft-spoken Jewish carpenter? False prophets abounded. "History is written by the victors."
On the failure of objectivity:
It's this intellectual pattern of amoral "objectivity" that is to blame for the social deterioration of America, because it has undermined the static social values necessary to prevent deterioration. In its condemnation of social repression as the enemy of liberty, it has never come forth with a single moral principle that distinguishes a Galileo fighting social repression from a common criminal fighting social repression. It has, as a result, been the champion of both. That's the root of the problem.Lila, p.306
Galileo and Copernicus are often cited in discussion of the evils of religious authority. But what else could be more authoritative than religion? Anyone interested in creating a moral calculus?
On celebrity:
....the way political science is taught now, celebrity is made to look incidental to politics. But go to any political gathering and see what's making it run. Watch the candidates jockey for celebrity. They know what's making it run.Lila, p.258
Clue: it ain't issues most politicians promote. They promote themselves.
Semantics
* Pirsighian, n: one who believes in or follows the writings of Robert Pirsig, or adj: relating to ideas presented in the writings of Robert Pirsig. Will Gareth at Wired Magazine ever feature it in his Jargon Watch? Doubtful.
Links |
"At least I spend the time to try to save the page from link rot." - SK |
Metaphysics of Quality For all us MoQers, just in time, too.
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance I have no idea whether this is legal. Full text.
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Own your copy today.
Quality Quotes, discussion, and various related links.
Robert Pirsig Great page. Lots of stuff, including an interview.
Search Alta Vista for new Pirsig links.
Robert Pirsig publicity still photo. For those who were wondering.
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Last updated 10/3/98