Metaphysics of Quality

METAPHYSICS OF QUALITY

THE METAPHYSICS OF QUALITY

While reading Wikipedia’s entry about Robert Pirsig’s philosophy of Metaphysics of Quality, I noted with great interest that Pirsig attended a peyote ceremony which led him into what he called “a mushroom cloud of thought.”  The article explains that “The nature of mystical experience plays an underlying role throughout his work.”   Recent scientific studies are providing supporting evidence that hallucinogens promote experiences with lasting spiritual/mystical significance.   https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=neuroscientists-probe-psy

Can I just say, I want to go, too!!!  After attending such a ceremony, I might be more productively able to  connect the dots of Pirsig’s metaphysical maze.   However, since I don’t see a class field trip as such in the future, I will have to settle for my Earth bound thoughts on Quality.    Maybe I will listen to Pink Floyd and see if half of the equation is more effective than nothing.

When  determining  the “quality” of something or someone, it seems that a comparison is implied.  The quality is determined as compared to the “gold standard.”  But, what/who sets the “gold standard?”  And whose perspective sets the standard by which all other levels of quality are determined?  The person with the most “Quality?”  Unless you happen to be the most qualified to determine quality, does your perspective matter?  And can one appoint oneself as King/Queen of Quality?

Yeah, it seems I am caught in one of those pesky circles that Brady so eloquently elaborated on in his blog.  Ah, if only I had some peyote, I might be able to jump off the circle and see the origin of the dots and know how to connect them. 

Pirsig defines quality as a perceptual experience first.   Each of us has our own experiences and perceptions and whether these are valid to use as standards to judge “quality” I have no idea.  Regardless of whether we are discussing the quality of ideas, the quality of an education, the quality of a literary author, an item of Quality withstands the test of time.   But, for the immediate present situation how to determine quality remains an enigma.  As Persig explains, “Quality exists always as a perceptual experience before it is ever thought of descriptively or academically.”

Pirsig’s divided static quality into inorganic, biological, social, and intellectual patterns in ascending order of morality.  He placed institutions into the Social Pattern --- would that include universities?  Or would schools be elevated morally into Intellectual Patterns?  Or do they serve both patterns? I would think the learning institutions of Newton’s era would be a gold standard for an institution achieving the Intellectual Pattern status.

  Certainly, I have the privilege of knowing professors who elevate their students into the top rung of Intellectual Patterns as described by Pirsig.   Teachers, such as these, encourage their students to expand their horizons; to ask life changing questions; to not fear the answers they receive; to seek the connectedness of all things on micro and macro levels.  Mentors that care enough to reach out to their students understand that their presence has the potential to completely alter the pathways of their students' lives --- and yet, these life coaches don’t buckle under the pressure.  They continue to light the pathway for those on the journey of finding Quality.   The beautiful spirits of these teachers stretch the very existence of the souls they meet.  Truly, the impact of their presence on the planet will continue to ripple outward for all eternity.

And then there are the “others.”  Just because a person is a “teacher” definitely does not mean they have the skill set to “teach.”  Arrogantly standing in front of a classroom does not imbue one with the ability to lead or explain  --- it just means they have the ability to hold dry erase markers and run power point presentations.   This is NOT quality.   COMPARED to “true professors,” these poor substitutes are glaringly and obviously sub-standard. 

Last semester, I had a science teacher that raised my standards of what I considered a “quality” instructor.  He understood where students usually struggled and instead of using it as an opportunity to “trick or trip up” the students, he was extremely conscientious and made the extra effort to be clear about the troubling sections.   When this professor invited students to his office if they had questions, he was sincere.  He did not see this as an opportunity to flaunt his arrogant brilliance and look down his nose at those who did not instinctively “get” chemistry.  He was there to support his students.  After having the awesome privilege of sitting in his classroom, what I expect from a professor and what I consider a “Quality” education was elevated to a higher standard. 

MSU's Honor’s Seminars are the “gold standard” of academia.  Students of the Honors College have the tremendous opportunity to read mind provoking texts and explore meaningful questions.  Being able to immerse oneself in a classroom with people who desire an educational experience above the mundane with a professor who appreciates and is not threatened by “thinking” students follows the spirit of the ancient learning centers that the world’s greatest thinkers attended.

How to instill quality in a learning institution is a dilemma.  My brother is a high school teacher and the standardized testing  permeates so much of the school year that he rarely has time to actually teach history.  He teaches how to take a test more than he teaches the students about the history they are so apt to repeat in their ignorance.    

At MSU, the students are able to fill out a survey at the end of the semester grading the teacher.   I appreciate the opportunity to express my thoughts:  Did I get my money’s worth out of the class/instructor?  Was the reward for time spent a valuable investment or a waste of time?  

Striving for quality in our educational system is certainly an admirable and worthwhile goal.  How to insure that occurs is a challenge.