2nd 500 Words of term paper

Phaedrus' inability to define quality and limitedness as a whole is a sort of microcosm for the entire issue in and of itself. Phaedrus represents only a small part of the underground man's inability to function in society. Nevertheless, Phaedrus' small issue is what eventually leads to his "destruction". Though the inability to function is detrimental to the person it affects, it seems to be a necessary evil in the world. The inactive nature of the intellectual man allows for enlightenment amongst the active men. They are able to see and comprehend the more intellectual people when said people are unable to function. When these people cannot function, they seem to exist at a standstill, which coincidentally and ironically seem to be the only time when the "common people" can understand them. Despite the fact that this brings enlightenment and knowledge to the rest, this inability to function halts any sort of forward motion for the human race as a whole.  

For any sort of progress to occur, be it socially, scientifically, etc. the more intelligent people need to be functioning. Nevertheless, if these people are functioning, they function at a level of understanding beyond that of the average man. The average man, being as he is named, average, cannot begin to comprehend the ways of the more intellectual persons of the world. The inability to understand, tends to halt progress. However, if the most intelligent people were to retard their success, humanity would be at a standstill. Therefor, this inability to communicate and understand each other is vital to the success and progression of people as a whole. 

When Phaedrus decided to challenge and manipulate the school system he was able to almost perfectly demonstrate why the discrepancies between the two types of people is necessary. When he decides to completely disregard the grading scale system and implement his own, as well as when he decides to ask his students what the definition of quality is, many are opposed to his methods. His disregard for grades is treated extremely skeptically by his fellow teachers and his students alike. Many proceed to question his sanity and whether or not he is teaching quality if he gives no grades. While the reader gets an in depth account of the reasoning behind throwing out the grades, neither the teachers nor the students do and that is why they are unable to understand his methods. While he is trying to make progress, even if it is rather small in comparison, he is treated with skepticism because of the inability to communicate. Many told him that he "can not eliminate the degree and grading system. After all, that's what [he] is there for." (Pirsig, p. 195) Ironically so, people continue telling Phaedrus that he cannot get rid of the system for the very reason he decides to get rid of it. The other teachers and students are unable to comprehend even the most basic principle and part of his intentions, which in turn halts the progress that it is supposed to be making.