Gav:

> isn't the idea of limited freedom, oxymoronic?

No. The citizens of communist China have limited freedom compared to
citizens of the U.K.

> the nature of the moral hierarchy of the MOQ requires
> some careful explanation, lest it becomes that which
> it preaches against: an explicit moral code, ie an
> ideology.

Indeed the MOQ moral hierarchy requires careful explanation which is
why we are discussing it in this forum. Examples that apply the MOQ's
moral structure to real life situations is part of that explanation as
Pirsig demonstrates in Lila. Among such examples of apply the MOQ moral
structure: doctors vs.diseases, vegetarianism, self-defense, U.S. Civil
War, capital punishment, and Lila herself. Many further examples are
offered such as Pirsig's explanation of the the downfall of the hippies  
and  the low quality of the today's culture.  

> this is not what the MOQ is for. the MOQ is a
> descriptive, rather than a prescriptive tool.

Yes, the MOQ sets no hard and fast rules. But in regard to moral issues it
is certainly a suggestive tool, giving us a rational rather than a
religious framework within which to work out moral questions. That in
itself is a giant intellectual step forward. Pirsig puts it clearly:

"The structuring of morality into evolutionary levels suddenly gives shape
to all kinds of blurred and confused moral ideas that are floating around
in our present cultural heritage. "Vice" is an example. In an evolutionary
morality the meaning of vice is quite clear. Vice is a conflict between
biological quality and social quality. Things like sex and booze and drugs
and- tobacco have a high biological quality, that is, they feel good, but
are harmful for social reasons. They take all your money. They break up
your family. They threaten the stability of the community." (Lila, 13)

Platt


  



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