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The Metaphisics of Quality (MOQ) is a theory of reality put forth by Robert M. Pirsig in his novel Lila: An Inquiry into Morals.
'Quality,' as described by Pirsig, cannot be directly defined. Likening it with the Tao, Pirsig believes that Quality is a force in the universe stimulating everything from atoms to animals to evolve and incorporate ever greater levels of Quality. According to the MOQ, everything (including mind, ideas and matter) is a product and a result of Quality.
Pirsig began developing his ideas about Quality in his first novel, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. He continued his explorations into Quality and first referred to his ideas as the Metaphysics of Quality in his second novel, Lila: An Inquiry into Morals, greatly expanding and codifying his ideas.
The MOQ divides Quality into two forms: Static and Dynamic.
Pirsig defines Static Quality as everything that can be conceptualized. Pirsig further divides Static Quality into Inorganic, Organic, Social and Intellectual Qualities.
Dynamic Quality includes everything not Static, namely, conceptual unknowns. According to Pirsig, things naturally and properly evolve from lower Static Qualities to higher Static Qualities potentially continuing upward to the ultimate goal of achievement of Dynamic Quality.
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