Topics and
concepts for the way This document is
outline and source of foundation for future versions. Anil
Mitra, Copyright June 20, 2020—April 5, 2021 How science and logic are both
empirical How there is contact with the concrete
world How and in what sense are traditional
concrete limits overcome Where and how the method is developed An axiomatic – foundational framework Anticipating the system of meaning Absorbing the system of meaning Anticipating other blocks to
understanding the work Prerequisites to real understanding Seeing the boundary of the real Significance
of experience—general and for the way The effective place of the world Approach to the real—the world and the
real world The place of concept meaning, knowing,
and acting The phenomenal or experiential world What are interpretations and what is
their significance? Identity of necessary and unconditional
being Identity,
the universe, and the individual The universe and the individual Identity, space, time, matter, and
cause Applications emerging from the real
metaphysics The fundamental question of metaphysics A principle of sufficient reason Metaphysics, foundations, and method Problems of eastern metaphysics Problems of western metaphysics Categories of Being and universals Identity (and persistence and
constitution), space, and time Causation, determinism, and freedom General cosmology and its method Cosmology of form and formation The universe—temporal vs eternal vs
block universe Temporalism vs eternalism vs block or
temporally emerging A choice of what is real vs alternate
descriptions The
universe is the greatest possible Doubt about the truth of the
fundamental principle The value of the search for realization Doubt about the efficiency of the use
of the real metaphysics The
universe and the individual Apparent
limits and real limitlessness of the individual !
The place and means of realization Resolution
of the ambiguity in interpretations of experience Ideal
and pragmatic classes of being Tradition
and the real metaphysics The
structure of the templates Principles of development and use The way of being as a formal resource The way of being as an informal
resource The
way as connecting past, present, and future as one Communication—text,
ideas, and being A
guide for immersion and realization A system of concepts
for the way Destiny is knowledge of and ability to
realistically aim at valued outcomes. Being is existence; a being is that
which has being. Awareness is conscious awareness in all
its forms. A law is a pattern immanent in being or
beings. A law is a being. The
fundamental principle of metaphysics Concept, object, meaning, and knowledge Metaphysics,
the abstract, and the concrete Attitudes toward the fundamental
principle and the real metaphysics Reason
and denial of the a priori Detailed System of
Concepts for The Way of Being English
terms with Capitalization The
flow of ideas—outline and main concepts A relationship between Being and
becoming Religion and its relation to science The fundamental principle of
metaphysics The perfect universal metaphysics Essential problem of metaphysics The real elements: Experiential modes Cosmology of form and formation,
general and likely origins Dimensions of experience and
personality A relationship between Being and
becoming Religion and its relation to science The fundamental principle of
metaphysics The perfect universal metaphysics Essential problem of metaphysics The real elements: Experiential modes Cosmology of formation, general and
likely origins I.
About the main system
About
Planning
for the way
Planning is (i) here, (ii) in first priority.html (iii) site
planning—at plan.html. The
main accounts for the way
This document is not an account of the
way but a base for such accounts. The aim is to have two main accounts,
the précis (to be rewritten) and long (scalable, to be written). This document is a source for topics,
outline, and concepts; it is a minimal foundation for sharing, writing,
discovery, and realization. Where there is exposition, it is
because the ideas are new. Primary
sources
Supplementary sources include a journey in being-outline.docm
and the site and its offshoots. Secondary
sources
1. In
the resources folder—main influences
for the way.html and system of human
knowledge, reason, practice, and action.html. 2. In
the topic essays folder—concepts,
meaning, knowledge, and language.html,
experience and
the dimensions of the world.html, traditional and
modern approaches to living in the world.html The
versions
The long
version will be scalable to 1. The
main précis version—which may include informal elements
(see §The way in). Resources are the earlier precis of the way of being.docm
and the essential way of being.docm. 2. Teaching,
axiomatic, poetic, and manual versions—see
§An axiomatic formulation,
in this document. Execution—in
the world
Edit, minimize, write versions toward
transformation of the world, eliminate. Temporary notation*
Heading 1 Heading 2 Heading 3 Heading 4 Heading 5 Definition—main
definitions in the conceptual development (ALT + F) Definition
2—secondary definitions (ALT + G) Definition
3 (ALT + H) Definition
4 (ALT + J) Definition
5 (ALT + F) Concepts—main
concepts in the conceptual development (ALT + CTRL + SHIFT + C) Concepts
2—secondary concepts (ALT + CTRL + @) Concepts
3 Concepts
4 Concepts
5 Method
(ALT + CTRL + 9) PoeticStatement
(ALT + CTRL + 8) Normal—informal and undecided
statements Main—main statements for essentials or manual of
the way (ALT + Z) Main Definition—main definition for
essentials or manual of the way (ALT + CTRL + 7) Central—main
statements in the conceptual development (ALT + M) Central
2—secondary statements (ALT + SHIFT + C) Central
3 (ALT + SHIFT + Z) Central
4 (ALT + SHIFT + Y) Central
5 Notation**
Use
The term ‘or’ has two uses—(i)
exclusive as in ‘one or the other but not both’ and (ii) inclusive as in ‘one
or the other or both’. Though the exclusive use is more common, the inclusive
use is often more efficient in reasoning. In any case, the distinction ought to
be made. Where the use may be unclear, italicized form, or, shall
denote the inclusive use. Symbols
! An exclamation mark indicates a
section of academic interest. * A star marks a temporary section (all
subsections of a temporary section, except as noted below just below, are
temporary; any permanent material will be absorbed elsewhere). ** If a section is temporary, a
subsection marked with two stars is permanent (and will need to be placed
appropriately) Content
Headings are black and formatted other
than regular font. Ordinary statements are black regular
font. Main
concepts, definitions, and assertions in the conceptual development) Level
2… Level
3… Level
4… Level
5… Topics and concepts for the way II. The way in
This section is an introduction,
emphasizing the net aim and arc of the way. Plan
for this section*
1. Kinds
of audience—those who are interested (at least) in seeing and exploring the
universe beyond what is revealed in common experience and science and who are
not satisfied, fully or at all, with responses from humanities, philosophy,
metaphysics, or religion. 2. Motivation. 3. It
must be seen as a whole and written as conducive to this. 4. It
does not contradict common sense, science, reason, or (true religion). There
needs to be a fair amount of explanation of the truth of this claim (how to
deal with religion has further issues of how to address faith, and I may
therefore omit consideration of religion—or find a way to talk to people of
faith). 5. Informal
demonstration. 6. Visceral
– intuitive appeal; with ways to reinforce intuitive meaning. 7. Formality
in footnotes. Aim
The aim of the way of being is living
well and shared discovery and realization of the ultimate as a single
endeavor. Sources
and reasons
‘Reasons’ include motivation to the way Our
place in the world
mystery
of reason for our being, desire to live well, seeking to know and explore the
universe History
World and personal history suggest
values, aims, motives, and means for living The
world
A tradition of discovery and
realization—primal, secular (science and humanities), transsecular (religion
and religious metaphysics) tradition is (what is valid in)
knowing, acting, and valuing from primal cultures through this very day. Science is empirical, therefore is not
known to be complete, even though illuminating and of pragmatic value Religion attempts to go beyond but is
dogmatic (even Buddhism), even where symbolically empowering toward the
ultimate The way beyond is openness, which will
draw from tradition, but is primarily open, experiential, and engaged in
discovery and realization Personal
The seeking individual, persistence, a
process of perceiving and judging The
ultimate
truth,
the real, human being, and the universe—limited or limitless, ‘this precious
life’ Approach
Tradition gives us knowledge, ways of
knowing and becoming (discovery, realization, transformation) Knowing and acting are inseparable The way begins with personal reasons
and tradition, and builds from there—it is open, in process, seeking, active,
imaginative, critical, and learning. It is not essentially ‘linear’ but
reflexive in the interaction of all elements and particularly in reflection
upon its own process; which includes that linear process is sometimes
effective. Method
Method is ‘how to’ and is often thought
of as discovery (observation, imagination) and justification (experiment,
action, criticism). Criticism, logic, are frequently thought of as more
important. However, the situation appears to be that (a) discovery is
relatively informal and often private and (b) justification is relatively
public, formalizable, and formal, but (c) both are essential and interactive.
Thus, without imagination there is nothing to criticize; but since method, as
seen below, is part of content, without imagination there is no criticism. Method
and its significance
Method for the way concerns how to
effectively approach the aim. But method is also a concern in the
tradition—one that is regarded of utmost concern and treated widely since the
enlightenment was followed by the critical thought, especially of David Hume
and Immanuel Kant. It is impossible to do justice to this tradition. However, it is not necessary. However, it is critical that content
(knowledge and so on) and method (understanding, reason…) emerge together,
for otherwise, especially if method is ‘prior’ to content, the question of
the foundation of method—the foundation of the foundation—arises. But is that possible? For example,
while knowledge is based in experience, is not logic a priori to experience?
We shall find that it is possible to approach method and content
simultaneously. Indeed, this ought to be natural, for
knowledge is in the world and therefore, method is content. Further, from the
viewpoint that apprehension of the world never exceeds knowledge of the
world, world and content and method ought to be able to be seen as one. And we will find it to be so, for a
vast and ultimate range of the world (knowledge of the immediate in precise
terms remain elusive, but unnecessary relative to the ultimate). General
method for the way
From the aim, the way—imagination,
action, criticism—ought to maintain contact with the immediate and the
ultimate and all the places in between, and, so, with all the real How to maintain contact with the
everyday world and everyone’s world, without being limited by that contact,
ought to be a topic in the theory of knowledge The
‘method’ of the method
It shall begin with simple language,
knowledge, and reason. Though useful, this is vague and imprecise, but, at
least for elementary purposes, clarity and precision can be extracted by
abstraction abstraction
is consideration of a partial aspect of some part of the world—it may be used
for excision, leaving only faithful knowledge (if the concrete
is thought of as the whole, the abstract-concrete distinction is relative to
the mode of being of observers) But can this knowledge also be potent?
Yes, and we will develop universal and powerful knowledge Part of the approach is to begin with
experience—subjective awareness—and simple reasoning about it and, then, to
abstract away, some perfectly known elements of the world and of reason. The
elements
Some abstract concepts are experience
itself (as experience), the phenomenal world (as such), being, effective
cause, universe, the void, possibility, necessity, and unconditional being The elements of reason include
necessary inference (laws of thought, logics) and likely inference
(scientific) Naming
and the given
Let us conceive of the given
as it is in Dagobert Runes’ Dictionary of Philosophy—whatever is immediately
present to the mind before it has been elaborated by inference,
interpretation, or construction. Wilfrid Sellars has powerfully denied the
given. However, like many critical thinkers,
the criticism is too pervasive. Just as, if skepticism is the view that
knowledge is impossible, then the concept of knowledge requires alteration,
so, if there is no given, we must tinker with the concept of the given. For if experience, the mind, is not
given to itself, then, as Descartes’ powerfully argued, there is nothing. The given that is our presence to and
medium of knowing—the medium of our being, as it were—which is subjective
awareness, is named experience. The foundation
begins with experience. This is one of two essential reasons for fundamental
importance of the concept of experience. This reason is ontological and
epistemic. In this connection, experience is the place of concepts (symbolic
and iconic), existents (‘objects’), meaning, and knowledge. The other reason is that experience is
the place of our ‘being’, of all significance. This reason is existential. How
science and logic are both empirical
There are no things as such but all
things (‘beings’), at least effectively, are experience of (concept
in a general sense as actually or potentially referential mental content) and
experienced (existent, ‘object’). Further the experienced are also located in
experience. Science relates experience (concept in
a common sense as non-perceptual or ‘thought-like content’) to the world; and
is thus empirical. But logic determines whether a compound
concept is realizable—also a relation to the world, where it is the form of
compound concepts that is empirical. Thus, logic and science are elements of
the criteria for knowledge that derive from the same source—realism of
compound experience. The logics are further empirical in
that (a) for applicability they presume a sub-world and (b) their form
follows from the structure of that sub-world. For example, the law of
non-contradiction and identity apply only in worlds where definite states or
things (‘beings’) can be recognized by recognizers, the excluded middle is
possible only where there is definiteness of truth and falsity, and the
propositional calculus is possible only where there is facticity (knowable
states of affairs) Neither logic nor science are a-priori
or a-posteriori, but both are coeval with experience—the phenomenal and the
real world. Logic and science are both nets within experience. How
there is contact with the concrete world
The abstract is an envelope or
framework for the concrete and therefore illuminates and guides it; the
concrete illustrates and is instrumental within the envelope. This
observation is but a perspective on our limited knowledge and power. But the limits will be substantially
overcome. How
and in what sense are traditional concrete limits overcome
The system of abstract elements reveals
the one universe as the greatest possible, which entails that individuals,
too, realize this greatest. That knowledge is perfectly faithful. Concrete
knowledge is the instrument and, with its enhancement from the abstract,
there is no other. Therefore, there is no meaning to a need for another.
Thus, while the concrete remains limited within its own domain according to
criteria of perfect faithfulness, the dual system is perfect relative to the
ultimate according to the value, potential, and givenness of realization it
reveals. Where
and how the method is developed
The process of development was
incremental, in which content, method, arose via imagination and criticism. It then became possible to look back
and pinpoint the critical points of development. It is possible now to give a
concentrated précis of the development. An axiomatic – foundational
framework
…and poetic-illustrated See a foundational
framework in this document and an earlier axiomatic
framework. The essential concepts are,
tentatively, the ones in § The elements, above. Reason
‘Understanding’ or direct knowing,
which emphasizes perceiving and feeling, and ‘reason’ as inference or
indirect knowing, which emphasizes conceiving and valuing, have been
identified as the elements of knowing. Immanuel Kant found understanding more
important. Epistemically, this may be so. However, both, and more are
essential. There is a plethora of terms that amuse and confuse. I prefer one
term and because I like it, I prefer the term ‘reason’. I define reason
is knowing and the process of coming to know; and it includes acting and
learning from action; there is no meta-reason or, put another way,
meta-reason is reason; and more generally, the elements of reason interact
reflexively—vertically and horizontally, in securing, founding, and
optimizing reason. Reason and the real metaphysics of the
narrative will be found identical. Special
methods
Methods will emerge for particular
aspects (topics) of the way and are developed at appropriate places in the
work. Some particular topics are 1. In
describing the features of the universe within but especially beyond
perception of parts of the universe, imagination and criticism are
‘instrumental’. 2. For
the general cosmology, the method is the real metaphysics (content and method
including tradition), emphasizing imagination and criticism, with suggestions
from established and speculative physical cosmology, and metaphysical and
mythic sources. 3. For
the cosmology of form and formation, the above, enhanced by the paradigms of
(a) mechanism from physics and (b) incremental adaptive systems from biology
and general systems theories. 4. For
physical cosmology, modern physical cosmology—theoretical, computational, and
observational; and computer and theoretical models of deterministic and
stochastic systems games (simple to sophisticated and complex. 5. Ethical
and population modeling. Understanding
the work
Plan
for this section*
Minimize and integrate the following Anticipating
the system of meaning
Meanings are specific, the various
types and tokens, which are so often taken so seriously are at most
suggestive and interpretive. The system of meaning is
essential. Absorbing
the system of meaning
It is essential to see that the
meanings are not received meanings (of course there are relations); it is
therefore essential to follow the definitions and commentary that explains
reasons for the choice of concepts and definitions—individually and as a
system Intuition of the meanings and system is
essential and takes time to emerge. Anticipating
other blocks to understanding the work
1. Insistence
of meanings of terms as given and awaiting discovery; whereas, the actual
situation is that the process is discovery and creation in a dual space of
concepts and referents. 2. Not
seeing that meaning is icon-sign-referent or concept-object (i.e. a concept
and its possible objects) and knowledge is meaning realized. 3. Not
following the meanings of the text. 4. Not
seeing that meaning of the system is systematic in that the system stands as
one (this is not a holism in which the terms have no individual meaning),
that this is horizontal and vertical and that all terms must be understood in
their ‘new’ sense, for to analyze each term of focus in a new sense using
other concept in received senses, is to never escape the chains of the
received. 5. Not
seeing the extent of the metaphysics developed—it goes far beyond the common
paradigms… to the ultimate; not seeing what lies within this extent (possible
worlds of imagination subject only to logic); not seeing that this is proven;
not seeing alternate attitudes to the proof 6. Not
seeing that this life is not just one but only opportunity to see and fulfil
the amazing ultimate (it is the only opportunity in the sense that realization
always begins in the present, regardless of ‘which life’ one is in); allowing
diversion due to problems and mere entertainment; allowing the appealing
delusions within both secular and transsecular views; projecting culturally
sanctioned views of experience of the world to the universe Addressing
the other blocks
Readers will find that, to absorb the
new world view, they must mesh it with their secular and other experience,
that there is a tendency to see the new as intellectual and the old as intuitive
and visceral and that this tendency must be overcome and what is desired is a
seamless view of the old which is visceral and intellectual. An approach to
this integration is 1. The
approach from reason. 2. Sangha. 3. Ritual,
dedication, affirmation. 4. Persuasion
involving prepared speech and risk regarding unprepared or informally
prepared speech (next) Prerequisites
to real understanding
Function
of the section*
List the prerequisites systematically Use them as motivation Use them as topics in talks What
is real understanding?
A first prerequisite is to understand
understanding. Real understanding is more than just
intellectual—it is emotive, intuitive, organic, seeking, and behavioral. It senses that common accounts of the
real are limited and seeks a true real amid and beyond the common. It recognizes the hold of the common
accounts, that going beyond them will be difficult, but that the reward may
be transcendent. Real understanding entails a spirit of
exploration of the real. Blocks
to understanding
A second prerequisite is to see some
common blocks to understanding, so that they may be overcome, and will not be
hindrances to real understanding. Thinking and feeling that the common
every day, experiential, scientific, philosophical, and religious paradigms
have shown the whole truth. The foregoing derives from not seeing
limits to our use of (i) experience (the empirical), (ii) imagination and
criticism (the rational), or (iii) the empirical and the rational, jointly. Now the limits of our use do not result
from essential limits to #iii, just above, but to limited understanding of
what the empirical and rational are, of how to use them, and of further elements
that may be pertinent to understanding. Often, our critical and imaginative
theories of the use of experience and reflection are based on partial
critique that is projected as the truth. Seeing
the boundary of the real
It may seem difficult to know anything
of the true and ultimate real. But we will find that we can say something
about its boundary. And while concepts of what lies at the boundary may not
themselves be of the real, they will say—beyond this place there can be no
real. Which will be an immensely useful preliminary to any search
because, unlike so much search, the boundary will illuminate the search. So, then, what may we say about the
boundary of the real? One definition of logic is that its satisfaction is the
minimal requirement for realization, if not in our cosmos, then in some
possible world. Thus, logic is a boundary of the real.
In fact, logic defines the greatest—most inclusive—possible universe. How so?
One conception of logic is that a concept is realizable in some possible
world if and only if the concept does not violate logic. So, now, (i) if a
logical concept is not realized in a cosmos, the cosmos is not the greatest
possible, but (ii) if it is not logical, it is in the nature of the concept
that it is not realizable. Therefore, the greatest possible universe is the
logically possible universe. The
universe
What is the relation between the
universe and the greatest possible universe? Rather than talk about the
relation, let us give a simple derivation of it. So as to show its essence,
the derivation will omit concepts that secure its certainty and usability.
Here is a derivation— The universe is all that there is. The void is the part of the universe
that contains no parts except itself. The void may be said to exist for its
existence and nonexistence are equivalent. A law of nature is a pattern, immanent
to a part of the universe. Though our expressions of the patterns
are descriptions, there is a real, if local, pattern behind the descriptions. Therefore, the immanent law or pattern
may be said to exist. The void has no laws. If, from the void, some possibility did
not emerge, the void would have a law. All possibilities emerge from the void. The universe is the greatest possible. This violates neither science nor
logic. Connecting
to the universe
As the greatest possible, the universe
has peak realizations and dissolutions without limit. The individual inherits this power, for
otherwise the universe would not be the greatest. This is not a
contradiction, for individuals merge in the realization. Experience in the sense of
consciousness or subjective awareness in all their forms is, essentially, our
world (which is not to say that experience creates the world or that there is
no real world). Experience is therefore the key to realization
(i) intrinsically, as the place of realization (via, e.g., mindfulness), and
(ii) instrumentally, as the place of knowledge of the world—i.e. as the
effective place of science and technology. Outline
Aim
One line aim Fundamental
principle
One line demonstration Meaning
and consequences
Heuristics, main implications—perfect
metaphysics, and illustrations (identity, the universe, and the
individual—Brahman and Atman, path, imperative), doubt and response On the perfect metaphysics—in the end
the system is perfect in terms of the ultimate picture of the universe and
value revealed but imperfect from a local perspective in terms of local
values (and neither the perfect nor the imperfect eliminate or negate the
other). Particularly, neither should hijack the other; and to make this real,
following the metaphysics conceptually is not enough—it has to become
visceral, part of intuition (via reinforcements, catalysts, sangha or
community, art including poetry, and ritual) The
way
III. Experience
The
concept of experience
experience,
abstraction There is experience and
reflexivity—i.e., experience of experience Experience of experience is a
significant part of what makes intentionality possible. An
effective world
Why experience?
Here is a preliminary answer— There is a sense in which we do not get
outside experience—for, beginning with the phenomenal, the real or objective
is further experience. Intention
and action
Are experience + Experience is relation, even pure
experience All experience is pure experience + The
range of experience
bound – free… or referential – null
(null includes the case of potential reference) internal – external iconic – symbolic objective – qualitative imperative – neutral Examples 1. Perception
is bound, external, iconic, close to neutral 2. Feeling
is bound, qualitative, on the imperative – neutral spectrum, internal (but
the distinction between perception and feeling is not always made) 3. Thought
is free, symbolic with possible iconic content, relatively neutral
(imperative arises in association with feeling) 4. Emotion
is less bound than feeling, qualitative, and
complex (interacts with and may subsume elements of the previous items) Significance
of experience—general and for the way
The
effective place of the world
The place of individual being,
becoming, relation, and significant meaning The place of will, choice, foresight,
designs and plans, action, and change Approach
to the real—the world and the real world
sameness,
difference, identity (existent, person or individual), extension, duration the
world, the individual (self, other), the environment, real world as object of
and including experience The
place of concept meaning, knowing, and acting
referential concept (experience of,
symbolic-iconic—linguistic meaning is a part of concept meaning, for all
icons are abstractions and a sign is a degenerate icon), referent
(experienced) in use, an ‘object’ is just the
referent, supposed to have existence in isolation from the concept; in fact,
this mistakes the nature of referents, which is better conceived of as the
concept-referent, for which, the concept part is often dropped,
unproblematically intention arises from this notion of
referent as concept-referent and the reflexivity of concepts meaning (concept and possible
referents), knowledge (meaning realized) Interpretations
of experience
The
phenomenal or experiential world
experience
(itself), real world (‘external’), experience (itself), individual (person,
sapient being, human being, Dasein, thrownness), self, other, environment What
are interpretations and what is their significance?
doubt,
interpretation The
interpretations
Consider the tentative interpretations
(i) there is a real world which includes experience, persons—selves and
others, and environment (ii) the world is the experience of an individual
(iii) the world is a field of experience and being (and what we think of as
nonexperiential interactions are experiential but of zero to low intensity and
therefore, for which, quality and complexity, even if there, do not register) None of these interpretations are
logical contradictions of the phenomenal world, which includes one, and
perhaps only one, real—i.e., experience itself That is, they are logically
indistinguishable To reject (ii), then requires some
assumption about the world, which need not be science, but may be something
as simple as (a) in the world of experience of the individual, the phenomenon
that the total experience assigned to phenomenal others is greater than that
assigned to the phenomenal self (b) the phenomenal ‘I’ and the phenomenal
‘others’ are related in the phenomena, just as the phenomenal relationship
according to which the I and others are communal constructs, or (c) the world
is the greatest possible world. Then, 1. Either
(a) or (b) deny (ii), require (i), and allow (iii) 2. The
case (c) denies that (i) or (ii) are the whole universe and requires (iii). 3. In
the case (iii) there are sub-worlds defined by (i) and (ii) 4. A
sub-world (i) cannot be a strictly materialist world if the individuals have
experience 5. Case
(iii) allows and has sub worlds (i) that are strictly materialist. The foregoing contains a resolution of
the problem of solipsism. IV.
Being
Beings,
being, and existence
Here being and existence are not
distinguished verb
to be, a being (concept-referent or existent), being (property of beings,
existence), nonexistent (the referent is null) whole,
part, null Power
and effective cause
cause
(the concept), create (to cause to exist), power (effective cause,
interaction, measure of being) The hypothetical being that has no
power, self or other, does not exist. The
universe and the void
universe
(all being or beings), void (the being that has no parts—except itself) All creation and effective causation
are internal to the universe, which has no creator or creation, other or self
(the former because there is no other being, the latter is because the created
has no existence prior to its existence) V. Possibility
possibility
(the concept; unity and disunity among science and logic, real possibility
(science, physical, living, sentient), logical possibility, logic The
concept of possibility
Real
possibility
Logical
possibility
Metaphysical
possibility
Necessity
The
concept of necessity
Necessary
being
necessary
being Unconditional
being
unconditional
being Identity
of necessary and unconditional being
Unconditional being and necessary being
are identical VI. Metaphysics
What
metaphysics is
metaphysics, Metaphysics has already begun. In that
it is derived from direct experience it is trivial. What follows is
nontrivial in that it goes beyond what is conventionally thought of
experience (but only in that the common is not carefully critiqued or thought
out). The
fundamental principle
The
real metaphysics
Identity,
the universe, and the individual
The
universe and the individual
Identity,
change Method of seeing possibilities for
beings—merging, levels – from elements to Brahman and their vision and
interaction Identity,
space, time, matter, and cause
Ethics
imperative,
value, enjoyment necessary value—natural categorical
imperative (Kant), or unconditional moral obligation; here the adjective
‘natural’ implies not that it is a law of nature but that it arises from the
concept of enjoyment and the nature of the universe Universal
Local
The
aim of being
The
metaphysics of experience
interpretations
and resolution of the system of interpretations Dimensions
of being
categories See the essential
way of being.html and a journey in
being-outline.html, where these are called categories. Real
Pure
Form,
relation, change
Pragmatic
The
nature of being
In
history and this work
Human
being
Kinds
of being
The
abstract and the concrete
Reason
reason,
method, doubt, skepticism, understanding, widest relevant context (is the
logical universe) The
block universe
Topics
in metaphysics
These topics are applications or
developments of the real metaphysics not covered above. They include (i)
topics emergent from the metaphysics (ii) implications of the metaphysics for
problems of eastern and western metaphysics. Applications
emerging from the real metaphysics
For a comprehensive set of topics, see a journey in being-outline.html
and the essential way of being.html.
The starred topics are topics elsewhere in this document. The
fundamental question of metaphysics
A
principle of sufficient reason
The
abstract and the concrete
A
system of the world
A
metaphysics of questions
Metaphysics,
foundations, and method
criticism,
doubt, imagination, interpretation Problems
of eastern metaphysics
Problems
of western metaphysics
From Metaphysics
(Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Pre-modern
The
nature of Being
Being as Such, First Causes, Unchanging
Things Categories
of Being and universals
The
problem of substance
Early
modern
Materialism
and empiricism
Idealism
Immanuel
Kant
Modern
and current
Modality
Identity
(and persistence and constitution), space, and time
Causation,
determinism, and freedom
The
mental and the physical
Consciousness, mind, and matter Cosmology
Cosmology is (a part) of metaphysics. General
cosmology and its method
The method is the real metaphysics,
imagination, and criticism Cosmology
of form and formation
Cosmology
of formation
The method of the cosmology of
formation is (i) on the ideal side the method of general cosmology (ii) on
the pragmatic side the adaptive systems paradigm as generalized from the
Darwinian paradigm of evolution. In metaphysical terms the outcome of
the Darwinian paradigm, is that formed systems shall be near stable and near
symmetric and, where observed, possessed of that symmetry that encourages
high level experiential beings Cosmology
of form
Paradigms
The paradigms are mechanism, effective
causation, and determinism with residual indeterminism Form
and scale
Scales and the meshing of scales Physical
cosmology
The
block universe
Treated earlier The
universe—temporal vs eternal vs block universe
Temporalism
vs eternalism vs block or temporally emerging
A
choice of what is real vs alternate descriptions
A
system of the world
See a journey in
being-outline.html and system of human
knowledge, reason, practice, and action.html VII.
A foundational
framework
The aim of this part is to find
foundation and a way to an axiomatic system for the way of being. This
entails finding a founded metaphysics. This
is the beginning of the poetic and manual versions. The sections The way in
> Approach and The way in
> Method are pertinent to this part and the
content ought to be combined. On
reading the way
small capitals mark a term being defined. A
star* marks a defined term in an alternate, usually informal, use. Dark
red font identifies definitions, conclusions, and other main statements. † Marks
a consequence of the fundamental
principle. ††
Marks a consequence of the real metaphysics. • A
single bullet marks what could be taken as primitive values, concepts,
postulates, axioms, and essential arguments and conclusions for an axiomatic
system. •• Two
bullets mark a subset of the single bulleted content. They mark the lowest
level of a scalable version of the way. They may also be the basis for a
poetic version. ! The
sign of exclamation marks an informal or teaching comment, paragraph, or
section title. The signs †, ††, •, and •• also mark informal or teaching
material. This shade of green font red font identifies those
definitions etc intended for a pocket field manual. Indigo
font indicates a statement of methodological principle or element of proof
that illustrates methodological principle. The intent is to have a
sufficiently illustrative collection of such statements. Some statements of
method are not indigo. This
shade of blue font is intended for poetic statements. The
system
The aim is systems of understanding and
reason—in the sense of Kant—for the real or phases of the real. The
formulation will be such that the systems may be also be written in abstract
axiomatic form. Given
experience as defined in the preliminary
ideas, below,
a linguistic concept is a sign associated with an
icon1. meaning is a concept and its possible
referents (or objects); knowledge is meaning realized—i.e.,
concepts and their referents. A language is a system of concept
formulation that expresses meaning and knowledge2. An axiom3 is a primitive principle of
reason suggested by experience with inference and is either necessary or pragmatic4,5. A primitive
term6
marks a concept defined by pointing at something in the world. A postulate7 is a primitive and basic
assertion concerning the world that has meaning and is established as true; a
hypothesis8 is an assertion that is
established as likely and consistent with experience but not absolutely
established. conclusions or results are derived via
axioms, starting with postulates or hypotheses (or both) as premises. If
properly based in experience, truth of the system follows, which entails
knowledge—i.e. that the system captures the real, only the real, and
consistency, but not that all the real has been completely captured9. Then, a conclusion is certainly true if and
only if based in necessary axioms and postulates and is known only to be
likely true if based in either pragmatic axioms or hypotheses (but may of
course in fact be certainly true even though this is not known). Notes. 1 The sign and icon may be
compound, and the icon may be a perceptually or internally generated visual
or other image. 2 In abstract systems there
might be kinds of terms and rules of formation, devoid of meaning but
intended to be able to capture meaning and knowledge. 3 The terms axiom and postulate
are used somewhat interchangeably but there is a distinction that is
effective and the one here is Euclid’s. 4 In abstract systems axioms
are posited and are usually principles of necessary inference. 5 Language and axioms are
relatively context independent. Primitive terms, postulates, and hypotheses
are relatively context dependent—i.e., they concern a phase of the world.
Context dependence vs dependence is, however, not an absolute polarity.
Further, the distinction between understanding and inference is not absolute
for both concern the world and inference is an aspect of understanding. 6 In an abstract axiomatic system, a primitive
term would be an undefined but of course intended as part of a system to be
capable of expressing real content. 7 In an abstract system a
postulate is primitive assertion with no particular meaning but capable of
having meaning, e.g. in terms of models or phases of the world. 8 In an abstract system, the term conjecture might
be used. 9 For abstract systems,
modeling, consistency, and completeness, are meta-logical and meta-systemic
issues; and it is not generally the case that only intended models are
captured—e.g., if a countable first order theory has an infinite model, it
has infinite models of all non-finite cardinalities (the Löwenheim–Skolem
theorem). However, in the real case, to guarantee uniqueness of models
requires care, since experience may have more than one consistent
interpretation. ! We
presume simple language as some ground for the real, with elementary principles
of reason (axioms), and simple postulates chosen to perfectly capture2 the entire real
(understanding, knowledge), and hypotheses chosen for reasonability and to
capture, at least pragmatically3, a phase or phases of the
real. Notes. 1 We find that language,
reason, and understanding—method and content—emerge together (see method).
2 An abstract or aspect of. 3 However, this does not imply
that no final foundation can be found—we will find that there is final
foundation in some directions (and limitless openness in other directions).
We will find a metaphysics in which perfect and pragmatic capture of the real
are woven together. The perfect side will reveal an ultimate value, in terms
of which the woven result—the metaphysics—is itself perfect in the sense that
ultimate is achieved and the pragmatic is the only and therefore ‘best’
immediate instrument. Another way in which the mix of the perfect and
pragmatic is useful, is in bringing science and logic on the same footing.
The inference to a logic is parallel to the inference to a theory of science,
and inference under the logic and the theory are parallel. The difference is
that on the logic side the inferences are seen as perfect. On the other hand,
the science side may be seen as perfect if the domain of application and the
precision are limited; the domain to which science may then be perfectly
extended is not known. But lack of certainty is not peculiar to science. Some
domains of logic do seem to be certain, but it is not clear that the ultimate
extension of the idea of logic does or should be a domain of certainty. The
way of being presumes simple language and its use. Primitive
terms—experience
(with sameness, difference, and identity), being (existence, the verb to be),
power (effective cause, relation), universe, the void, possibility, form,
formation, paradigm (interpretation) Related
terms—for
experience: concept (experience of), referent (the experienced—or ‘object’),
phenomenal world, real world; for being: nonexistence, beings; for form and
formation: displacement (extension), change (duration); for possibility:
necessity, relatively context neutral or logical possibility, logic, logics,
contextual or real possibility, science, and sciences probability,
feasibility, real possibility, science, logical possibility, logic, logics,
necessity Inference—axioms—laws of thought,
logics, pragmatic inference… Postulates—the givens—there is
experience, being, the universe, the void, possibility… Hypotheses—the main hypotheses are
projections of paradigms learnt in our empirical world (cosmos), projected to
the universe (with arguments for their reasonability); and existence of the
void (which is also entered above among the givens, for which reasons are
given later)—or, equivalently, the fundamental principle of metaphysics. The
aim of the way
•• The aim of the way is living well in the present
as inspired and shared discovery and realization of the ultimate. The
statement of the aim defuses tension between being* and becoming which are
and should be sought to be in balance. The way
develops a non-standard and ultimate view of the universe as the greatest
possible. To
understand and use it, suspension of standard paradigms, immersion in the
new, and then integration with the old, are essential. Except alternate,
typically informal use, which is marked by stars (*),it is essential to adhere
to the meanings below. A base
for living, discovery, and realization begins with knowledge in interaction
with action. The aim is to be in discovery of paths to the ultimate (paths
are without end, except from the vantage point of the ultimate). We will
first set up a framework for discovery in foundation and grounding through the universe is
the greatest possible,
which is followed by filling in the framework. ! Foundation and grounding
A foundation for knowledge or action, in
terms of a value, is a way of guaranteeing reliability relative to the value.
A grounding is where the foundation is
located. Foundation has often been sought in
substance. What is substance and what is the origin of the idea? The world is
complex and changing. The idea of substance is something simple and
unchanging, perhaps eternal, that generates the world and thus understanding
and foundation. Perhaps the origin of the idea lies also in the observation
that amid the complexity and change, some things seem to be simple and
unchanging. Thus, Thales of Miletus held that water was the substance of the
world. Later, the idea of substance became more abstract. The elementary is that which has no constituent
but itself. A mechanism is a way of change or
transformation that is in principle transparent, understandable, and
predictable. A substance (i) is elementary and
unchanging (and therefore eternal) and (ii) generates the world
mechanistically. The idea
of substance has the appeal that it promises rock-like foundation. However,
substance foundation is illusory for its promise is an end to explanation but
substances themselves lack final explanation. Of course, a substance could be
regarded as a hypothesis or posit but that would negate the foundational
quality of substance. Perhaps we ought to admit that there may be no true
foundation of the world. It is
for this reason that the quest for foundation turns to being and experience.
It turns to being because the concept of being is, simply, what is there. The
seeming impotence from being is that since ‘what is there’ is there but is
not obviously known, it would seem incapable of providing foundation.
However, since ‘being is there’, if it can provide foundation, then the
foundation would indeed need no further explanation. We find that a
foundation can be built up, starting with being and thus it is an absolute,
not relative, foundation. However, it would be an abstract foundation. We
find that though being is foundational, it may further be founded in
experience as defined below, which grounds the foundation in experiential
being, e.g. human being. Though the entire story has further detail, we find
that with foundation in experience, which we might have sought to avoid
because experience is subjective, we are in fact able to embrace the real. Preliminary
ideas
The way is an orientation to a view of the
universe. To use it, immersion is needed. Excepting informal use, it is
essential to adhere to the following meanings. •• experience
is consciousness and conscious awareness in all its forms; it is the
effective place of our being and kind. The
most elementary experience is sense of sameness and difference. Without
experience, individuals would be robots. An observer would see as-if
existential significance, but existential significance would not register for
a non-experiential ‘individual’. •
Identifying and naming a perceived real. Though a
perception can be an illusion, here apparent perception of experience is
validated in that even apparent perception is (a case of) experience. While
definition does not generally entail a defined real, in this case it does.
Such a definition may be called a real
definition. • There is experience. Tautological
restatement of a real definition. The
phrase ‘there is’ names a simple real. There is experience of experience. • Proof
by contradiction—if there were no experience of experience, knowledge that
there is experience could not be shown. •• a being is that which is—i.e., which is or
exists within, enmeshed with, or beyond the arena of space and time; being
is existence; a use of being is to reject substance foundation. •• There is being and there are beings. • power
is interaction or effective cause—having or receiving effect (from self or
other). The
concept of being as being is primal to kind of being, and at the primal level
there is no mechanism of effective cause without projection of paradigm. The
hypothetical being that has no power or interaction does not exist. The
measure of being is power. That
is, being is relational. Naming
the notion of ‘there is’. A concept and object (existent) are an experience
of and the experienced, respectively. Without
the concept, there is no object and so, as it is seen later, it generally
essential to talk of concept-objects rather than objects (but it may be seen
that sometimes, the name-object or sign-object suffices). How are
being and experience interwoven? The following observation of this paragraph
is crucial to the nature of being. It was noted that being is relational. At
the level of experiential beings, it is concept and object or experience of
and the experienced; for such beings, being or a being is, effectively,
knowledge of the same. This
may seem to make the concept of being essentially ‘subjective’ but, (i) the
subjective is in fact the most immediate element of the real, (ii) later, in the real metaphysics,
it is shown how perfection and fullness of knowledge emerge from experience,
and (iii) at the level of being as being, being is essentially
interactional—i.e., power is its measure. A
summary of the previous three paragraphs is— Being is experiential-relational. An abstract is a partial aspect of an
object; abstraction is formation of an abstract. Though
the seeming object of experience, the world, can be doubted from illusion;
that there is experience can be seen as abstraction experiential world—while
the world can be doubted, experience is beyond doubt. •• The universe
is all being. In
greater detail, the universe is all being over all sameness and difference,
particularly over all extension and duration. The universe
exists. There
is one and only one universe. •• There is no other being to effectively
cause the universe. And
effective self cause would presume the universe to be manifest while
nonmanifest, therefore— •• The universe has no effective creator or cause. By
abstraction from the welter of detail. •• The void
is the absence of being—the being that contains no beings. •• The void exists. This is because its existence
and nonexistence are equivalent. Given that it is consistent with experience
and reason, its existence may be regarded as a rational and existential
postulate. The void is the absence of being—the being that
contains no beings except itself. Existence of the void follows from equivalence of
its existence and non-existence. Given that it is consistent with experience*
and reason, its existence may be regarded as a rational and existential
postulate. • First proof—existence
and nonexistence of the void are equivalent. Appeal to a principle of
indistinguishables. Second
proof—the void is there, beside every element of being. Third
‘proof’—admit doubt; regard existence of the void as a postulate or principle
of action (as explained later). • A being is possible
if the concept of the being does not rule out its existence. • logical
possibility
is that which pertains only to the concept. Logic
is the corresponding constraint system on concepts; real
possibility
pertains, over and above the logical, to the nature of the worlds and
individuals under consideration; and the greatest
possibility
is possibility in its most inclusive sense (‘greatest’ includes but does not
mean ‘best’). The
greatest possibility cannot exceed logical possibility (but, of course, our logics do not exhaust logic). probability is likelihood in a defined
and limited range of the universe. feasibility and worth concern the
viability and ethics or value of an achievement for an individual, group, or
civilization in a defined and limited range of the world and their being
(existence). • A being is necessary
if the concept rules out nonexistence. • A being is unconditional
if, for all situations in which nonexistence is possible, it exists. • Unconditional and necessary existence are
identical. Relative
to the entire universe, unconditionality is the only measure of necessity. • Identity is sense of sameness of self
or other existent. Duration marks difference in
but not of identity (sameness with difference); difference in identity
is change. Extension is marked by difference of
identity. form is what marks identities as
similar or different; it has extension and is marked by quality. formation is emergence of identity or
form and includes change; experience is experiencing—it is essentially
formational; without formation, the world would be inert and not even
robotic. Form is
subsumed under relation; relation and formation are essential to being. • Being is essentially and interactively relational
and formational. • An individual or person is a being, with identity of
form and awareness, for whom the awareness is perceptual, feeling,
conceptual, and capable of choice, will, and action. The universe is the
greatest possible
•• laws
of nature are patterns; patterns are immanent in the world and therefore have
being. Abstraction,
the concept of being. •• In the void there are no laws. • Simple
use of predicate calculus—there are no beings in the void, laws are beings,
therefore there are no laws in the void. Note. It is a use of syllogism.
However, predicate calculus subsumes syllogism. •
The void is not ruled by laws, gods, or other beings. If all
that is possible, in the sense of logical possibility, did not emerge from
the void, that would constitute a law of the void. All
that is logically possible emerges from the void. The logically
and greatest possible are identical. A
simple form of the above argument omits consideration of logical possibility: •• If all that is possible did not emerge from the
void, that would constitute a law of the void. Therefore— •• The universe is the greatest possible. •• This assertion is named the fundamental principle of
metaphysics. Note
that while it is certain that all possibilities occur, this is not true for
limited parts of the universe—e.g. the cosmos observed by human beings and,
it is likely, delimited by the big bang. Within such limits, likelihood is
also a concern and may be addressed by the real metaphysics,
below, over and above logical possibility. The
universe has no beginning, end, or exterior. If the
universe has a cause, it is not effective cause. The cause of the universe is
not that of a beginning, but of its entire existence. Necessity
may be taken to be the cause of the universe. In the sense of logical cause— •• Necessity is the cause of the existence of the
universe and realization of the greatest possibility. Characterizing
the universe
•• There is but one universe. The universe phases
between manifest and void form; it has identity. • The
conclusions above are simple consequences of the definition of ‘universe’ and
the fundamental principle. That there is one universe is also a dynamic
consequence of the universe as the greatest possible. For, let a possibly
limited being be the greatest being. Then, if the given being did not contain
some other being, the given would not be the greatest. Therefore, the
greatest being is all being. • An
example of a ‘method of using the fundamental principle’ now emerges. Imagine
or conceive any being (or aspect of a being, which, in any case, is also a
being); then provided the concept is logical, the being exists (this ‘method’
will be extended in § using the real
metaphysics). •
Results that follow from this method or principle are marked with a dagger—†.
Such results may follow directly from the fundamental principle or depend
also on earlier results. ••† The universe and its identity are limitless in
every possible way—particularly, in form, variety, extension, duration, and
peak of being. † The cosmos in which we live is one of limitlessly
many, which are relatively stable and symmetric in form, and, which, together
are limitless in magnitude and quality—and which are in transient transaction
with the void. This description is—most likely—inadequate to convey the
variety of being. That
our cosmos is the way it is and not another is consistent with the
realization of the greatest possibility, for no thing can be what it is not,
and the realizations of other cosmoses are events that are distinct from the
realization of ours. It is clear, then, from its derivation, that the picture
built above, is logically consistent. It is also consistent with our sciences
and experience, especially physics and physical cosmology, for science is
empirical and is not known to have purchase beyond the empirical boundary.
The thought that our cosmology does extend beyond the empirical boundary is
circular for it depends on tacitly thinking that the entire universe has been
captured in science; to put this thought another way, if we have an explicit
but limited or slanted view of the universe, it is because that view is
already tacit or normative. !
Doubt and response to doubt
General
or Cartesian doubt
Cartesian
doubt and response are built into the development in a number of places,
especially the choice of being over substance, the interpretation of
experience, and the resolution of the ambiguities of the interpretations. Doubt
about the truth of the fundamental principle
Now
that the fundamental principle has been shown logically and empirically
consistent, the essential remaining doubt concerns its demonstration. The
essential doubts are as follows, (1) does the void exist, (2) do laws have
being, and (3) the principle itself ought to be doubted even if the proof
should hold, just from the enormity of the conclusion (certain technical
doubts are addressed elsewhere in this work). Now the
fact that quantum theory does not permit a true void, is not a good reason for
doubt for science is empirical. The real reason for doubt is simply that we
do not (seem) to have experience of the void. But we can argue that the
existence and nonexistence of the void are equivalent and therefore, the void
may validly be taken to exist. An
argument that laws have being is that while our expressions of the laws may
be mere descriptions, what they describe are immanent in being and therefore
have being. We
could argue for the fundamental principle in other ways. An alternate
proof is that the void plus universe have unconditional and therefore
necessary existence; but by symmetry, the universe cannot be just one of what
is possible and must therefore be all possibility. A heuristic is that logic
is the limiting boundary of all science. However,
doubt ought to remain for (1) the absence of detailed empirical proof, (2)
residual doubts even given multiple proofs, and (3) the magnitude of the
conclusion. So,
given the consistency and reasonability of the principle, an alternative to
regarding it as proven, is to view it as (1) a fundamental or hypothetical
postulate upon which to base development the greatest possible true
metaphysics or (2) an existential action principle. The
value of the search for realization
The
skeptical secular thinker may assert, even if they accept the real
metaphysics, that whatever is of value and whatever is real is found in more
or less immediate experience. They may add that though this secular world is
imperfect it is where our hearts, minds, and energies should focus. They
would view these assertions as not only principled in terms of their secular,
perhaps humanist values, but only plain common sense. A
response to the secular thinker is that the world of which they talk is what
we have called the immediate world; that there is a far greater world; that
there is an imperative even in terms of secular values to seek the greater
world; that even if they do not accept that conclusion, knowledge of the
greater world illuminates the secular; and that focus on the ultimate need
not detract from the immediate but, with sufficient balance, may enhance it. The
dogmatic religious thinker will deny whatever here may contradict their
faith. I have no response to such persons except perhaps to ask that they
approach this work with an open mind. The
open minded transsecular thinker might criticize the real metaphysics as
stretching credulity. The response to them is similar to the response to the
secular thinker. Doubt
about the efficiency of the use of the real metaphysics
There
is little doubt that the generic method outlined above and later may be
inadequate in discovering and realizing enjoyable possibility. The
response is that I seek balance my own search with discovery and invite
others to do the same. The
universe and the individual
••† Individuals inherit the power of the universe
for, otherwise, the universe would not be limitless. † The
individual is the universe. Roughly,
this says ‘all possibilities are open to the individual’. However, this does
not mean that all possibilities are available to the individual in a
delimited situation, e.g. this life as interpreted in terms of its limits of
birth, death, and form. Here, further issues arise. Feasibility is
touched on below, especially in tradition and
the real metaphysics
and using the real metaphysics. What is worthwhile—of value—is touched on
below, in the aim of being,
but only briefly. ••† Individuals and civilizations merge with the
universe in its peaks. † This realization is given. Whatever
ought to be labeled ‘God’ is an ultimate of which we are part. In so saying
we would call the ultimate God, which inverts the typical approach of
describing a godlike being of our cultural choosing and then asserting its
ultimate nature. † In
that it is itself, the universe knows itself. The highest possible being is
and knows the universe, at least in abstract. This abstract is concrete in
peak phases of the universe. In these senses, the universe is deterministic
(for the highest possible being). † Since
the universe is the realization of all possibility, all relations among
beings or states are contingent. In this sense there is absolute
indeterminism, which requires, that there are phases of determinism—and
phases of indeterminism superposed on determinism. This conclusion from the
fundamental principle is instrumental—over and above explicit use of the
principle—in the remaining conclusions of this section. † For a
limited being in a cosmos with presently limited causal connection to the
rest of the universe, what obtains outside the being’s empirical limits, do
not constitute facts. For the limited being, there is a domain of determined
fact; outside this, the universe is not determined for the being. †
Whether the universe is deterministic is observer relative. † While
a ‘limited being’ has limits noted below, those are local limits; relative to
the extent and duration of the universe, all beings are limitless; all beings
have freedom without limit except the limits of all being. † The
universe may be viewed as a block which contains the trajectories of all
beings. A given being is the intersection of multiple trajectories; the
merging of individuals in peaks, followed dissolutions, occurs in the
intersection and divergence of the trajectories. Apparent
limits and real limitlessness of the individual
There are apparent impediments to realization—the
limits of pain, birth, death, and physical form. •† Birth, death, pain, and physical form are real
but not absolute limits. Knowledge and fear of death may be employed as
cathartic in living well in the present as one with endeavor toward the ultimate. If they
seem absolute it is because the elements of perception and thought are part
of the form of individuals. † That the ultimate is realized by all individuals
is given. But effective realization of the ultimate is found in commitment to
this life and the ultimate. Intimate acquaintance with death and fear is
transformative. † For some individuals, seeing and realizing the
ultimate is a continuous and visible thread, beginning in this life. It is so
for all beings, except when the quality of vision is limited and, therefore,
the truth may be hidden. Where we do not have full vision from the present,
it is acquired in merging with others, beyond this life. Paths
to the ultimate
••† There are effective, intelligent, enjoyed paths
to the ultimate. The
paths are incompletely known—to be on a path is also to engage in its
discovery in perception, feeling, thought, experiment, and action. •• sangha—community and sharing pathways—is
effective in discovery and realization. The aim of being
•• If enjoyment is a value, to be on a shared path
is a human and moral imperative. • This
is a source of ethical principle. • The aim
of being
is the aim of the way of being—living well in the present as the way to
inspired and shared discovery and realization of the ultimate. •• The best address of pain and other impediments
is dual—therapeutic and being* on a path. ! The place and means of
realization
What is the place and means of realization? Experience is consciousness and conscious awareness
in all its forms (as defined earlier)— From
perception and thought, to feeling and emotion, to will and choice in action. There is experience. Being is existence (as defined earlier). Experience is the place of our being. The phenomenal
world or
world of appearance is the range of experience. The real
world is
the true object of experience. There is experience of experience. Thus, experience
itself is part of the real world. Experience of experience is essential to
directing experience to efficient use—i.e., to intentionality and
intelligence. Since
memory is imperfect, even the phenomenal world as it seems to present itself
may be doubted. However, that doubting is part of the phenomenal world. Interpretations
of experience
An interpretation of a range of experience is a
description of the real that is self-consistent and consistent with
experience. If the range of experience is the entire range, the
interpretation is an interpretation
of the world. † The
broadest interpretation of the world is the world as a field of being and
experience, in which individuals—selves and others—are bright centers of
intelligent experientiality, and the variety and limitlessness are as in the
earlier description of this greatest universe. Here, experience as relation
is employed in the conclusion, over and above explicit use of the fundamental
principle. That there is no higher kind than experience, follows from
experience as relation, for a higher kind would be relation of relation,
which is relation (which, incidentally, negates Spinoza’s assertion that
there are an infinite number of attributes beyond form and thought; but of
course form and thought may have degrees and qualities without limit). Consider
the following kinds of world—(i) a world that is just the experience of what
we call an individual (ii) a world in which behavior is the same as in our
world but is strictly of form without experience (‘strictly material’) and
consequently there is no experience (this may be called a ‘zombie world’)
(iii) a world as in #ii except that it is not strictly material and in which
there are true selves and others in an environment where the experientiality
from zero to low in level, but not null, and (iv) the greatest universe as
described in the previous and earlier paragraphs. All
those worlds are logically possible. Resolution
of the ambiguity in interpretations of experience
† The
universe is (identical to) #iv and contains such worlds as #’s i, ii, and iii
without limit. #i,
however, is not consistent with a world in which either (a) the information
content assigned to the phenomenal is greater than the content assigned to
the individual or (b) the term ‘I’ is indexical. In its common interpretation
as a world of selves and others in an environment, our world is just like
#iii, but cannot be #i or #ii. Further
resolution requires pragmatic considerations, which are taken up in § using the real metaphysics. Ideal and pragmatic classes
of being
• The
categories, dimensions, or classes of
being are
classes at or just below being in inclusiveness, chosen for effectiveness in
understanding and reason. • We
begin with a pair of ideal classes
of being,
that are intrinsically and instrumentally, being itself, for experiential and
non experiential being. These classes are experience of and the
experienced—i.e., mind and world (world includes mind). The
entire world falls under this umbrella, provided that indirect experience is
included. This
choice was given justification in The place and
means of realization. Experience
of
corresponds to the notion of concept and the experienced to existent
or object. An object without a concept has no meaning, let alone being. We
regard a concept and its possible existents as meaning and meaning realized,
i.e. a concept and its actual existents, as knowledge. Since the object or
existent without a concept is without meaning, being or existence is
essentially relational. The
ideal system of thought emerging from the universe as greatest, implies that
experience is the intrinsic place of becoming. The truth of this system is
perfect (in contrast to pragmatic truth, which is ‘truth’ for limited
contexts). As the
place of art, science, and technology it is also the pragmatic instrument.
Art shall include the humanities, especially philosophy. Logic and
mathematics may be assigned either to science or the humanities. • To
render the ideal system practical, we may use the system of the culture in
which we live. Such systems are invariably imperfect relative to ‘ideal
knowledge’. However, if imperfection is invariable, the imperfect is the only
instrument in realization of the ultimate and, given the inevitability of the
ultimate, the imperfect is perfect relative to that goal. We may begin in
terms of the ideal classes—of the mind, or psyche, and of the world.
In a western worldview, the world divides into nature (which contrasts
to the artificial or constructed and includes the elementary or physical at a
range of scales from micro to cosmological and more, the complex or living,
and the experiential or mind), society (which is at least partially
constructed and includes civilization and artifact or technology), and the
peak, part known, and unknown elements of the universe. The
worldly classes may be further divided—e.g., the physical into physics,
cosmology, astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences; the biological into
evolution and function; the psychological into the philosophical and the
scientific; and the social into sociology, culture (language, knowledge and
its development—and communication and transmission). A system of
human knowledge, reason, practice, and action develops a comprehensive
system based in the real metaphysics, below. See reading, for details. The
ideal classes are chosen for truth, realism, and to cover all being. The
pragmatic classes are chosen for instrumentality. They are not unique and are
the expression of a western world view. Other classes could be employed and
those who would prefer that may use this work to frame the details of their
ideas; multiple systems of pragmatic classes could be used. One aim here,
however, is to avoid proliferation of the categories. Tradition and the real
metaphysics
• tradition will mean—what is valid in cumulative
cultural history (inclusive of art, science, and technology), of in process
and enhanced by reflection, experiment and action, and learning. These disciplines of tradition are understood as
mind engaged in transformation of the world (via understanding and reason),
and in transformation of mind itself (yoga
and meditation, adequately understood). † There are two systems of understanding—the ideal
and tradition or the pragmatic. The ideal shows an ultimate real and value
and so illuminates and guides the pragmatic; the pragmatic illustrates and is
instrumental toward the ideal. The pragmatic is ‘limited truth’ according to
traditional criteria of perfect faithfulness. However, the pragmatic is the
only and therefore ‘best’ instrument so far in realization. Thus, in terms of
the ethic of realization, the pragmatic has an ideal or perfect character
(and the ideal may be seen as a limit of the pragmatic). Thus, the ideal and
the pragmatic constitute a single perfect system for living in the world and
realization of the ultimate. This system is named the real metaphysics.
In summary and conclusion— • A synthesis of (i) the universe as the greatest
possible, (ii) pragmatic knowledge, (iii) experience*, (v) reflection, and
(v)action, results in a real metaphysics that is a perfect instrument of
realization. Using the real metaphysics
•• To
employ the system, we have appeal (i) to tradition and its approaches or
methods, of which the foregoing captures a framework (ii) for the ideal part,
to imagination subject to critical thought (iii) for likelihood of
occurrences, to various paradigms such as mechanism and evolution as known in
our cosmos. Consequences of the real metaphysics are marked ††. Examples
follow. †† To
see how individuals merge into one, consider that the ‘individual’ is a unity
of individuals, and, by analogy, the one is a unity of the many. Though
introduced by analogy, this is logically possible and therefore necessarily
realized. †† To
see why the majority of cosmoses would be formed, analogy from the theory of
evolution, suggests an incremental emergence in which forms with near
symmetry are more stable, and it is longevity, which results from stability,
that accounts for the majority. Cosmoses with intelligent experiential beings
would obviously the ones that are recognized. A
program of realization
•• A program of realization may use two templates—everyday
(immediate) and universal (toward the ultimate). An outline of
templates follows (links for detailed templates are in reading,
below). The templates, derived from experience*, are rendered adaptable to a
range of circumstances and personal orientations. To make the range
comprehensive, they draw from the ideal and pragmatic classes of being. The ideal classes are experience of and the
experienced—or concept and referent (object) – or intrinsic and
instrumental (because experience is experienced, the distinction between
intrinsic and instrumental is a continuum; and note that ‘pure experience’ is
the case that the external object is null). The intrinsic is
experiential—how, for example, may an individual experience (truly) being* a
peak form of the universe? Intrinsic means, e.g. meditation, is supported by
the instrumental—e.g. hatha yoga and technology (for most individuals it is
likely that realization only begins in ‘this life’ and even then, has
an implicit character). The ideal classes are reflected in both templates. The pragmatic classes of being are psyche, nature,
civilization (society), and the peak, part known, and unknown. These classes
are reflected in the templates, especially the universal template. ! Outline of the everyday
template—rise early (dedication and
affirmation), meditative review (life – the way – the day), realize
(yoga – work – share; reflection and work on projects), physical
exploration (nature, art, society), evening renewal and community,
and sleep early. Notes—yoga,
which includes meditation, is not just a practice, but is intended to extend
into action throughout the day (the reading has sources on yoga). ! Outline of the universal template—pure
being*, ideas (reflection – writing – sharing, publishing), becoming
(nature with psyche; civilization, society, and artifact (technology), and
community; the universal—peak, part known, and unknown—universal being*.
Notes—the areas of activity are driven by the ideal and
pragmatic classes of being. While the outline forms above are too short to
constitute an explicit program, details are provided in the universal
template below. The
structure of the templates
Supporting
material and versions of templates with greater detail and explanation are
linked in reading. Everyday
Universal
! Reading
This
work outlines a way shared discovery and realization of the ultimate. It does
not define a complete program. Indeed, it ought not to, for a real program,
it was found, is not just to follow but also to forge paths. Some reading
suggestions for development of a program are (i)
The essay The way of being
(http://www.horizons-2000.org/2020/precis.html) and others linked from the
website http://www.horizons-2000.org. (ii)
From the same
website, the main influences
(http://www.horizons-2000.org/2020/resources/main influences for the
way.html). (iii) Everyday
and universal templates for action—with further
resources (the template addresses are, respectively, http://www.horizons-2000.org/2020/narratives/everyday
template.pdf, and http://www.horizons-2000.org/2020/narratives/universal
template.pdf). (iv)
For its
suggestiveness for the background metaphysics, the framework of Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus
(https://people.umass.edu/klement/tlp/tlp.pdf) by Ludwig
Wittgenstein
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Wittgenstein). (v)
For a system of
knowledge based in the real metaphysics, A system of
human knowledge, reason, practice, and action
(http://www.horizons-2000.org/2020/resources/system of human knowledge,
reason, practice, and action.html) (vi)
For a program of
action in our world, A journey in
being
(http://www.horizons-2000.org/1.%20World%20and%20Being/realization/being-elements/2010/2011-2012%20jib%20in-process/second%20production/1/Journey%20in%20Being-detail.html#Challenges_and_opportunities). (vii)
For background on
Yoga
(http://www.horizons-2000.org/2020/topic essays/traditional and modern
approaches to living in the world.html) as a system of realization and on the
ultimate nature of the self, A Sourcebook In
Indian philosophy
(https://www.booklibrarian.com/pdfepub/a-sourcebook-in-indian-philosophy-pdf/)
by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Charles A. Moore. Some
references with notes— (i)
Ian Baker, The
Heart of the World: A Journey to Tibet’s Lost Paradise, 2004. An
exploration of travel to the heart of nature as means of self-transformation. (ii) Chagdud
Tulku, Gates to Buddhist Practice: Essential Teachings of a Tibetan
Master, 1993, Rev. 2001. A readable account of Tibetan Buddhism, its world
view, and practice. (iii)
John Hick, The
Fifth Dimension: An Exploration of the Spiritual Realm, 1999. An
excellent account of ‘higher realms’ from within the modern world view of
science. (iv)
Christopher
Wallis, Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a
Timeless Tradition, 2nd ed., 2013. An immense source of ritual for those who
may be interested. Somewhat aligned with Tibetan Buddhism. (v) Pema
Chödrön, How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with
Your Mind, 2013. On the practice of meditation. The book is open with regard
to aims of meditation. (vi)
Eknath Easwaran,
trs., The Bhagavad Gita, 1985. A practical guide to a world view
similar to that in this work, as well as an account of the realms of Yoga. (vii)
Richard K.
Nelson, Make Prayers to the Raven: A Koyukon View of the Northern
Forest, 1983. Nice account of a primal world view and way of life. VIII.
The way
The
aim of being
The
means
Metaphysics
and reason
Ways
and catalysts
Reinforcing
the way
The
issues
Some issues in achievement are (i)
clear knowledge of the goal (ii) knowledge of the context and means (iii)
commitment—i.e. over and above just knowledge: visceral knowledge, belief in
the truth and value of the goal and means (iv) steadfastness of commitment and
action in the face of doubt and other internal blocks and lack of energy and
material resources, lack of support and affirmation and opposition from
others and the community. In the way (i) there is knowledge of
the goal but it needs elaboration (ii) there is knowledge of the context and
means but these need continuing development as part of the process (iii) the
individual may face blocks as in #iii above and, further, as the way is
relatively new and contrary to the standard secular and many transsecular
paradigms, there is little community support and much inertia. Commitment to
other limited and false paradigms may manifest as opposition. Reinforcement
The individual—(i) strengthening
self: meditation (on internal blocks, resentments, and resolutions) and
therapy, (ii) healthy living with moderate diversion (iii) having source
literature with proof, example, and inspiration, e.g. the way of being
(iv) ritual, dedication, and affirmation (v) a community of similarly minded
persons and travelers (vi) nature as source. These are addressed in the templates. The
templates
Principles
of development and use
Everyday
template
Universal
template
Resources
External sources
Site sources
As of April 5, 2021 the main sources
are— Source
essays
The introductory essay, precis.html. In process work at the site plan.html. Main
resource work and essays
Priorities for integration of my life
and the way at First Priority.html. The main influences
for the way.html. The system of human
knowledge, reason, practice, and action.html. Some traditional and
modern approaches to living in the world.html. Resources
Resources for The Way of Being Reading
The
way of being as a formal resource
The way of being constitutes a formal
resource, i.e. emphasizing formal method, for the history of significant
meaning, common paradigms and their limits, metaphysics as knowledge of the
real, the real metaphysics as ultimate metaphysics, knowledge and reason,
developments in metaphysics, a system of the world based in the real
metaphysics, and ways of realization of the ultimate. Lessons
for the way
See lessons for the
way of being.html. The
way of being as an informal resource
The way and its discovery as an
informal resource are about discovery rather than justification, process
rather than outcome, and creativity or construction over criticism. The topics emphasized are the thread of
the way in history, my search in nature and culture, and reflexivity in
reason. Some sources are—the
realizations-resource version.html—2015
(Chapter: Resource), Journey in
Being-detail.html*—2014 (Chapter: Reference), Journey in
Being-full.html—2013 (Chapter: Reference), system of human
knowledge, reason, practice, and action.html
(since it covers discovery as well). Lookup
Dictionary
The terms here are important to the
way. However, the meanings, while they are not and cannot be the received
meanings, ought to have some relation to the receive. The aim of this dictionary is 1. Resource
for received meanings—it is not the aim to be definitive but only to provide a
sampling of the received, 2. To
emphasize that the meanings in the way are related to but different from the
received, and 3. To
remind readers that whereas received meanings constitute families of meaning,
the meanings employed in the way are definite, and yet significant. The main source for the received
meanings is Dagobert D. Runes, Dictionary of Philosophy, revised edition,
1983.
Glossary
Index
IX.
Epilogue
The
way as connecting past, present, and future as one
Communication—text,
ideas, and being
The
connection
A
continuous stream of text
Every generation ought to its way as
grounded in and summarizing the received ways. This may inherit the virtue but not the
burden of the past. A
guide for immersion and realization
The way in paves the way; experience,
being,
and possibility, provide foundation; and metaphysics,
in turn, founds the way, for which there are resources. It is all tied together in a foundational framework. The way, is the path. (Tentative) A system of concepts for
the way
The following definitions are a
reference and springboard for further reflection and development. The
material is not essential to understanding and employing the way of being. Small
capitals mark definitions. The
system of concepts
A concept marked by stars is the main
of two or more occurrences. The number of stars shows the number of other
occurrences. A dagger† marks a significant concept that, even if noted, is
not yet defined in this appendix. Brackets mark (i) explanations (ii) related
terms (which are not necessarily less important than the ‘parent’ term). A system of concepts for the way
is—destiny, knowledge, aims, aim, action, being** (the other occurrences are
as ‘beings’ and ‘kind of being’; related terms are substance, the immediate†,
the ultimate†, becoming†, process†, relation*, reasons), abstraction* (the
other occurrence of ‘abstract’ has a rather different meaning), beings,
awareness, universe, form (relation*), formation (change), determinism, indeterminism,
cause, material cause, reason (necessary reason), creator, god, law
(pattern), the void, the universe is the realization of the greatest
possibility (‘the fundamental principle of metaphysics’), concept (object,
linguistic concept, meaning, knowledge*, action*), possibility* (kind of
being and possibility, the following kinds of possibility—logical,
theoretical, real, sentient, scientific, mathematical, and metaphysical),
metaphysics (the abstract, the concrete*, the real metaphysics, pragmatism,
perfection, logic, mathematics, the concrete sciences), value (ethics,
pathways, realization, aesthetics, enjoyment), doubt (certainty, criticism,
conceptual creativity, reflexivity, text, continuous text, knowability,
metaphysical postulate, existential principle), reason*** (this is main in
the sense of being primitive rather than important; related terms are
understanding, inference, induction, deduction, certainty, the a priori,
negation of the a priori). Summary The
main concepts are—destiny, aim, being, awareness, universe, form, formation,
reason for being, law, the void, the universe is the realization of the
greatest possibility (‘the fundamental principle of metaphysics’), concept,
object, action, possibility (logical, real, sentient), metaphysics (the real
metaphysics, pragmatism), value, doubt, certainty, reflexivity, continuous
text, reason, the a priori.
Destiny
Destiny
is knowledge
of being higher than the knowing beings and of its possibility and
realization (and of course, meaning of the term ‘higher’). The real metaphysics shows that destiny
is real (but not that its realization is given to beings while in limited
form or that it is ‘linear’) and that the term ‘high’ has definite if
abstract meaning. It allows the variety of aims,
coherent and otherwise, of beings including societies to be subsumed under
one cohesive aim. Realization requires knowledge in
interaction with action or knowledge-action. Essence Destiny
is knowledge of and ability to realistically aim at valued outcomes.
Being and beings
Being
is the property ‘what-there-is’, where ‘is’ is a form of the verb to be
without restriction, spatiotemporal or otherwise. Thus, being is a property (with
sufficient abstraction,
distinctions between entities, properties, relations, processes, and even
reasons are vanishing; the outcome of such abstraction is not abstract in the
sense of remoteness—rather it is most immediate, perfectly knowable and
known, and immanent in or part of the concrete). A
being is whatever has being. The plural of
‘a being’ is ‘beings’. To talk of beings without qualification
lacks meaning and invites (i) absence of true reference or (ii) paradoxes of
reference. Therefore, with reference to the discussion below in concept,
object, meaning, and knowledge, a being is
the knowledge object or referent of a concept. Essence Being
is existence; a being is that which has being.
Perfect
knowledge that there is being and that there are beings, follows when
distortable detail is removed from the concepts.
Awareness
In its least inclusive meaning, awareness
is conscious awareness in all its forms, attitudinal or active (in other
essays on the site for
the way of being, ‘experience’ is used instead of
‘awareness’). It includes pure awareness, which is
the case where the attitudinal or active object is nil. Since pure awareness is internally and
potentially relational, all awareness is relational. In its most inclusive meaning, awareness
will stand for proto awareness, which may be nil in magnitude, which is the
property of all being, necessary that there be awareness in the universe at
all. Awareness is
conscious awareness in all its forms.
Universe
The universe
is all being over all form (includes relation)
and formation
(merges with change
of form) (i.e., over extension-duration-being). Form and formation lie on a continuum
of determinism
with poles of absolute determinism and absolute indeterminism. The universe does exist. This does not
entail that it must exist. The universe is a being. It is the
being for which there is no other (external) being. The reason for the being of the
manifest universe cannot be a cause in the sense of interaction with
another being (i.e., material cause of the
manifestation is logically impossible—where the sense of the term
‘material’ includes any god or purportedly supernatural entity). The cause, if any, must therefore
appeal to a reason in a sense other than material cause. It could be an
argument of the form “if the universe did not exist, there would be no
meaning in the sense of significance”—which would be deficient primarily in
presuming that there must be meaning. But the form of the argument is more
interesting than its truth. A reason is a reasoning for a fact or a
being—it may be a material cause but the emphasis here is on an argument,
which may be relative or absolute (in the absolute case there is no
premise—i.e., the premise is null), deductive or inductive (in the deductive
case the inference is certainly true if the premise is true; and the
inference may but need not be material cause). An argument that is absolute
and deductive is a necessary reason. But we have seen that the void must
exist, and so FP
holds, from which the universe must exist (and be the greatest possible). In other work at the site for the way of being,
necessity of the universe and that it is the greatest possible are shown from
an analysis of necessity. Essence The universe is all
being.
The universe exists.
Since it exists, its existence is possible—with probability greater than
zero. It does not follow that necessity of its existence can either be proven
or not proven.
Creation
A creator
is a sole material cause of the being (existence) of a being. A being cannot create itself, for to do
so would presume it is, at least for an instant, at once manifest and
non-manifest. All creators are external creators. Since the universe is all being,
relative to the universe there is no other being. The universe cannot have a creator, for
an external creator would be another being, and no being can self-create. There is no god,
the creator of the universe (this does not rule out gods). The god that is the creator of the
universe and has other characteristics of higher being, e.g., intelligence
and compassion, does not exist. Essence A creator is a sole
material cause of the existence of a being. The universe does not and cannot
have a creator (there is no creator god).
Law
A natural law
is a reading of a pattern immanent in being or beings. A law is a being. The term ‘law’ may be used to refer to
the pattern. Though the terms ‘law’ and ‘theory’
have the above use, but in a more specific form, the given definition is
sufficient to the use of ‘law’ in this text. Essence A law is a pattern
immanent in being or beings. A law is a being.
The
void
The void
is the absence of being. That it may be taken to exist follows
from the equivalence of its existence and non-existence. The void requires no reason for its
being. The existence of the void is necessary. The void has no laws. Essence The void is the
absence of being. Its existence is necessary (i.e., follows from the ‘null
premise’). The void has no laws.
The
fundamental principle of metaphysics
The FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLE OF METAPHYSICS, fundamental principle, or FP follows from the existence of the
void.
Possibility
A possible
being is a concept that may be realized (as a referent or object of the
concept). The criteria of realizability define
the kind
of possibility or being. Before considering kinds of
possibility, let us discuss a preliminary—concept, object, meaning, and
knowledge, which is important in itself. Possibility
and its kinds are analyzed and will provide a unification of perfect but
abstracted and pragmatic knowledge as a perfect instrument of realization.
Concept,
object, meaning, and knowledge
A concept
is ‘experience of’ and an object is ‘the experienced’. It is presumed that the concept has the
intended kind of possibility. As in awareness or experience of
awareness, a concept may also be an object (and this is essential to
Descartes’ cogito argument). A linguistic concept
is a (otherwise association free or meaning-devoid) sign-concept association
(the sign and concept may be compound). Meaning
is a concept and its possible objects. Knowledge
is meaning realized. Logic
and logical possibility
The criterion of logical possibility is
that realizability is inherent only in the concept. Given a form of expression, the
requirement for realization of the concept falls under logic. Our standard logics are but some
logics. All possibility presumes logical
possibility Theoretical
possibility
In theoretical possibility,
presumed realization is restricted by a theory, hypothesis, or law. Real
possibility
In real possibility,
realization is restricted by a being or kind of being. In a final analysis there is no
effective distinction between real and theoretical possibility. Logical, sentient, scientific, and
mathematical possibility fall under real possibility. Sentient
possibility
Sentient
possibility is what is realizable for sentient
beings and their designs. Under FP, either (i)
there is a highest possibility, which is sentient, or (ii) given a form,
there is a higher sentient form. If form includes process or if there is a
highest form, the foregoing can be interpreted—the highest form is sentient. Scientific
possibility
Scientific
possibility is possibility according to the known
theories of science (and perhaps their paradigms tentative but reasonable
extensions). Physical, cosmological, chemical,
geological, biological, psychological, social, economic, and political
sciences are examples of scientific possibility. Mathematical
possibility
A mathematical system is a system of
undefined terms, axioms, rules of definition and inference, and definitions
and inferences. Mathematical possibility is the
property of consistent mathematical systems. Knowledge of possibility (consistency)
of a mathematical is either demonstrated or relative. For systems so large
that they cannot be directly examined, proof of consistency, it seems, is
invariably relative. The object of a mathematical system may
be seen as (i) its syntactical system (i.e., the system itself without
interpretation) (ii) interpretation in terms of mathematical models (iii)
real, on FP
(the real metaphysics). Item ii is questionable as a measure of consistency
where the semantic definition of consistency is that a model should exist. Metaphysical
possibility
In a general sense, all consistent
systems are realizable. In this sense, logical and metaphysical possibility
are identical, and all the foregoing kinds fall under metaphysical
possibility. However, there is a more restrictive
use of the term ‘metaphysical possibility’, which is appropriate when it is
desired to model some real or conceptual aspect(s) of the world without being
quite as concrete as to be scientific or entirely empirical. Metaphysical
possibility is a restriction of logical
possibility to modeling of real, hypothetical, or conceptual aspects of the
world. The concept of metaphysical possibility
is useful in building special and general-purpose metaphysical systems and
ontologies. An example of metaphysical possibility
occurs in considering whether ‘mind’ is possibility without ‘body’. Insofar
as mind requires form, and form requires body, mind is (a part of) body. This
is a consideration of metaphysical possibility in that it was not necessary
to invoke science. Metaphysics,
the abstract, and the concrete
Metaphysics
is study of the real. Examples in the text are sufficient to
show that metaphysics in this sense is possible—i.e., it is not ruled out in
saying ‘all knowledge is tinged with possible error’. How is that so? In the first place, the
ideal side of metaphysics was possible by abstraction—i.e.,
by conceptually filtering out distortable detail, leaving only the
undistorted (and thus the abstract in this sense is concrete and definitely
known). The concept of being is sufficiently abstract, that no error occurs
in saying ‘there is being’. On the other hand, the sciences of nature,
society, and mind have at least pragmatic or merely concrete
truth, which, we saw fell under the real metaphysics (the concept of pragmatic knowledge—of
pragmatism—is
that which enables success according to an accepted value without reference
to the meaning of the concept). This invoked an extension of the concept of
metaphysics occasioned by the value of ultimate realization revealed from the
ideal side. This in turn is entirely rational (with best or optimal
realization as the criterion), provided it is not thought that perfect
representation is entailed (note that it is entailed on the ideal side). The meaning of perfection
is emergent rather than imposed. The Kantian and post-Kantian objections
to metaphysics have been removed, not by saying that the absolutely
non-empirical (i.e., what cannot be sensed by any conceivable being) can be
known, but by an analysis that has broadened the range of the empirical. Note that there is no essential
distinction between the abstract and the concrete—rather, they lie on a
continuum. This stands in contrast to most modern conceptions of abstract
objects—see Abstract Objects (Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Without FP, all
abstract concepts are potentially realizable (as are all concrete concepts).
With FP,
the abstract and the concrete are equally realized. What is different may be
that since the abstract and concrete lie toward ‘opposite’ ends of a
continuum, they would be studied or known differently. The abstract generally
tend to (non-perceptual) conceptualization, the concrete to perception. In
any final analysis, however, it may be noted that the distinction between
non-perceptual conceptualization and perception break down. Thus metaphysics may be seen as a
collection of abstract and concrete sciences—particularly, logic,
mathematics, and the ‘concrete’ sciences (see the system of human knowledge). Essence Metaphysics
is study of the real. It is exemplified by the fundamental principle, its
foundation and derivation, its consequences, and its join to pragmatic
knowledge to form a perfect instrument for realization of its revealed
ultimate.
Value
As seen above, the real metaphysics has
an emergent system of ethics (i) in showing an ultimate value that
is interwoven with the immediate (in part via pathways
of realization
(ii) in showing that there is an aesthetics of enjoyment
in balancing being on a path, joy, pain, and their appreciation (ii) which is
interactive with knowledge in contributing to determination of criteria of
validity. In this short work, no further remark
will be made on value theory, axiology, ethics, or aesthetics, except to say
that the real metaphysics provides a source of (some) foundation for these
endeavors. Doubt, certainty, and
ethics
We will look at certainty, its
significance, where it is significant, where it is not, and what approaches
and attitudes may emerge where absolute certainty is less than certain. We
will find that doubt is essential to the establishment and critique of
certainty. Though traditional epistemic criteria are not seen as value
related, here we show that ethical and aesthetic concerns are important. We
take up approaches to constructive creativity, using the concept of
reflexivity. If doubt is central to certainty—to
truth, why was it not taken up earlier and in the main text? The response is
that it is implicitly present in the early sections of the main text where we
considered questions such as what might order the diversity of human ways of
life. It is implicitly present in the introduction of being and awareness as
fundamental concepts, for in the history of thought both of those concepts
have been part of a response to the question What is fundamental or
foundational to knowledge, rational action, and our place in and relation to
the world? Essence Where
certainty is a possible value, doubt is critical in (i) showing where
certainty is valuable and (ii) showing where it may be attained, and where
only a degree of certainty is possible and desirable.
Certainty
and ethics
We saw that knowledge is meaning
realized. The claim of certainty is not just
that the concept relates to the object but (i) in some sense there is an
object and (ii) the concept is faithful to the object. Of course, this raises
questions of epistemology—e.g., what does this faithfulness mean (what it
is), and what are or may be its criteria. And it also touches upon ethics for
the choice of criteria and perhaps, therefore, of the meaning of
faithfulness, might depend on what we value. 1. We sometimes want certainty in
knowledge, but not always. Regardless, analysis of certainty may inform us— 2. Where certainty is possible and
where it is not, where it is trivial, and where it is significant, 3. How to attain it where it is
possible and significant, What criteria may be employed where certainty
seems difficult, impossible, and not relevant or fundamental. And analysis of certainty where it is
trivial may inform us— 4. How to attain it where it is not
trivial. Appreciate that these issues touch on
epistemology (obviously), metaphysics (because analysis of the world may show
its knowability—or even be inseparable from knowability), ethics or value,
religion and lifeways (metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, especially point
3), and reason (as intersecting epistemology and as tying the issues
together). Note that point 4 exemplifies the significance of philosophical
focus on what may ordinarily seem obvious—as informing us (i) as to the
nature of our being-in-the world (ii) how to move beyond the immediate and
the ‘obvious’ to the ultimate and not so obvious. Doubt
and criticism
Because we sometimes fail to know
correctly, we come to doubt knowledge (perhaps we are ‘essential doubters’ in
that doubt is natural rather than consequent on failure)—we doubt
that the concept is faithful to the object. So, when I doubt my knowledge or when
someone else asks me “How do you know?”, I might indeed reflect on how I
know, and to then seek to know how I know and implement it. Of all the things
we think we know, there are various reasons to doubt them (the main one being
that concept and object are not identical and that consequently any knowledge
may be uncertain until established otherwise). This is roughly the line of
reasoning that led Descartes to his method of doubt and his resolution that
began with the cogito argument. While that argument, especially if refined to
tie up some loose ends, is widely accepted as convincing, we may find
disagreement with parts of the remainder of his argument (e.g., is there a
need to find bodies with extension, over and above the establishment, for
does not any form, even a concept require extension, and if so, then, if the
concept is spatially extensional, the existence of the object would imply its
extensionality). But regardless of what we think of his entire argument, one
thing seems established—doubt is a potent approach to establishing truth and
(degree of) certainty. But to leverage doubt, it is not enough
to just have doubt—it is not enough to stop at doubt. One has to do something
with it. What? Not just to think “this may be wrong” but to question “how or
why it is wrong”, i.e., to criticize, and then
to ponder (creatively), how to establish it right or wrong, and if wrong, how
to find what may be right. That is, criticism ought not to stop there (as is
often imparted in education) but to move on to creative
thought—essentially new thought, not arising out of method or what came
before. And once having had creative thoughts, again to criticize… and so on
and so on. Doubt and certainty are dual. Criticism and creativity are dual. In the history of thought, established
approaches to criticism have arisen. A modern stand out example is
Wittgenstein’s critiques of philosophy (this is not intended as endorsement). Criticism and creativity are sources of
logic and arrival at logical systems, scientific method and sciences,
mathematical systematics and mathematical systems, moral criticism and
ethics. Reflexivity
But criticism and schools may overreach
their own validity. Generations may accept a critical school, e.g., logical
positivism, only to find it wanting. There needs to be—it is effective for
there to be—criticism of criticism. Criticism of criticism is an example of
reflexivity—a discipline reflecting itself, a ‘meta’ discipline. The notion of reflexivity
may be extended to potentially every element of reason, critical and
creative, interacting with every other (of course with attempt at and
practice of good judgment, formal and intuitive). I leave general ‘reflexivity’ at that—a
potential and powerful element of ‘method’. Essence Reflexivity is the
interaction of all phases of rational action and includes their meta-analysis
aimed at improved outcomes (best if possible an appropriate).
In
this document
We saw that the possibility of
metaphysics arises not because we somehow transcend the empirical but in
questioning (i) what it is to be empirical and (ii) what things are or may be
empirically known. The response was, effectively, not to jettison the
empirical but (i) to expand to knowability and its
elements, of which one is the empirical and (ii) to see that while certain
objects are not known and perhaps hardly knowable in detail, yet they are
knowable with sufficient abstraction and / or with appropriate criteria.
Abstraction led to the ideal side of the real metaphysics, pragmatism even of
a rough sort leads to the pragmatic side, and while the pragmatic is imperfect
by, say, correspondence criteria, the join of the ideal and the pragmatic,
the real metaphysics, was perfect by criteria that emerged with the
metaphysics. Its significant to see this
simultaneous and reflexive emergence of knowledge (metaphysics), method
(epistemology, criteria), and ethics (value)—in fact, to see their
inseparability. Text
A text
is something (an object) that can be read, regarded here in terms of its
content (rather than its physical form). In publication, texts are often seen as
‘units’ that are or ought to be complete in themselves, and that are the
product of an author or authors. The completeness of a text in itself
has efficiencies and inefficiencies. Usability is an efficiency. Specificity
of authorship is an efficiency from some points of view. That a text can be a
self-contained unit has efficiency. However, the following may be seen as
inefficiencies discreteness, lack of coherence and continuity and meaning
with other texts over time and geography, repetitiveness, lack of directedness,
false starts, incompleteness owing to the limited life span of given authors.
That a text is a self-contained unit emerges also as inefficient with regard
to a desired coherence and directedness of knowledge and the human endeavor. These ‘inefficiencies’ may be seen as
the result of just the way thought and its publication are—and even
productive of contribution to creativity. It may be asked, however, whether there
is a means of overcoming the inefficiencies in parallel to (without
eliminating) the efficiencies of unit text. Journals are of course one way. However, especially in philosophy there
is another—it is interpretation, in which older texts may be positively
interpreted in terms of the thought of a later time. Yet, interpretation becomes burdensome.
We seek a concept and way of continuous text.
The idea is that authors—some authors—would write their text in such way as,
perhaps, beginning with a summary interpretation and reformulation of
relevant extant literature, develop theses—particulate or entire, and
conclude their texts in an open-ended manner rather than just conclusions.
Many texts do that and so what is important is the manners and kinds in which
the texts would be open-ended. These manners and kinds would include
(i) problematic issues (ii) areas in which thoughts may be elaborated (iii)
areas for development (iv) how the text fits together with others and how it
might be continued (v) the author’s plans for further writing and translation
of the ideas into action (which may already be part of the text). The aim of continuous text is to
encapsulate a search—individual, cultural, human, or more—over history. With
regard to philosophy, it would emphasize philosophy as reason and
understanding of the world and ideas (a notion which has been more or less
abandoned in the face of the putative intellectual hegemony of science). Text is an element of reflexivity. Doubting
the real metaphysics
A proof of the metaphysics was given in
the main text. Another proof was noted in this appendix
> universe.
Heuristic arguments can be given which though they are not proof, support the
reasonableness of FP (see the site for the way of being). However, doubt remains (i) because of
the appeal and significance of tangible (strictly empirical) demonstration
(ii) regarding the necessity of the given proofs (iii) from the magnitude of FP and its
consequences and (iv) because I present the real metaphysics as a
contribution not just to knowledge but also to destiny and the consequent (a)
responsibility to society and (b) ego burden (with regard to which I ought
perhaps to be neutral but am not). Essence Though real
metaphysics is consistent and demonstrated, it is important to doubt the
demonstration because of (i) the non-standard character of proof (ii) the
magnitude of the claim (iii) we may doubt the significance of ‘proof’.
Response
to doubt
What can we do about this residual
doubt? It is critical to note that while we
doubt the proof of FP and may doubt some interpretations and
consequences, it remains that FP is logically, experientially, and
scientifically consistent. That is, there is and can be no rational disproof
of its validity, and an empirical disproof is hardly at hand. Further, consider the value suggested
by the real metaphysics, e.g., the magnitude and realization of the ultimate
which is ‘real realization’ and not just knowledge of the ultimate (I say
‘suggested’ because we are contemplating doubt of the metaphysics, but if the
metaphysics is true, the value is real). This value may lead us to consider the
principle as valid so as to maximize the expected value of the outcome,
should we choose to base our knowledge and action on the
principle. Attitudes
toward the fundamental principle and the real metaphysics
Concerning the value of knowledge,
we propose— To regard the fundamental principle of metaphysics as a metaphysical
postulate on which to base knowledge, particularly metaphysics,
epistemology, ethics, and reason.
Concerning the value of the outcome of
action, we propose— To regard the fundamental principle as an existential
principle of attitude and action, which will maximize the expected
value of the outcome.
Reason
and denial of the a priori
Reason
is the means of knowing, whether of knowledge or value or effective action,
and includes understanding
or direct knowing, indirect knowing or inference
as arriving at conclusions from premises, and experiment (Immanuel Kant
conceived of reason as indirect knowing or inference). While we sometimes think of reason as
associated with the critical side of knowing, the creative side is essential
to knowing; it is essential for the critical and creative sides to interact
at more than one level—in regard to knowing the world, and in regard to
reason itself (which in principle need not be mentioned since reason is part
of the world. That the critical and creative sides ought to interact is an
aspect of reflexivity. Under the real metaphysics, induction
or inductive inference (e.g., generalization) and deduction
or deductive inference (to what is implicit in premises), are (of course)
different with regard to degree of certainty (ability to
predict without error), but not fundamentally different with regard to value
and realization. Similarly, certain direct knowledge (by abstraction) and
uncertain concrete direct knowledge are not fundamentally different with
regard to value and realization. Thus, it is seen again, how logic,
mathematics, and science are brought under the umbrella of metaphysics (note
the parallels: arriving at a concrete scientific theory as well as a
mathematical system is an inductive process of trial and error, while
inference under the theory or system is as certain as given by the nature of
the system and in this sense is ‘deductive’). Knowledge is a priori
if its ground or foundation is independent of experience of the world (which
is sometimes specified to exclude experience of learning the language in
which the knowledge is expressed). In a more inclusive meaning, the a priori
is also independent of reason. Thus the a priori is that which is
received without foundation, partial or total. The development of the real metaphysics
has shown regarding the ideal side of the metaphysics that results from
abstraction has no a priori. There is an a priori in contexts where certainty
is a value. However, from the point of view of the value of ultimate
realization revealed by the ideal side of the metaphysics, the a priori to
concrete knowledge has no significance. Thus, for the join of the ideal and the
pragmatic in the real metaphysics, knowledge and its ground emerge together.
Further, regarding the individual or society as part of the universe of
experiential, given the fundamental principle, there is and can be no a
priori—the meaning of ‘the a priori’ is nil in that there is nothing
underlying experiential being in terms of cause or reason. There is no ultimate a priori. Essence For
being (i) while in limited form there is effectively, no a priori (ii)
otherwise, there can be no a priori.
Detailed System of Concepts for The Way of Being To a detailed supplement X.
Introduction
Purpose
The purposes of the document are To list the main concepts for the way
systematically For use in the database. Sanskrit
terms
The document has a number of Sanskrit
terms for which I do not yet have adequate English terms: atman—the self
that in Advaita Vedanta is identical to Brahman brahman—ultimate
real citta—particular
meaning is the ‘heart’ aspect of mind; here it refers to mind in all its
aspects sangha—community
of individuals, giving mutual support to realize Brahman in this life and
beyond tat tvam asi—“Thou
art that” meaning that the individual is ultimate reality. yoga—system of
ideas and techniques from Bhagavad-Gita and Yoga scriptures to realize Atman
as Brahman… to yoke self to universe… here used in a general sense of any
such way, regardless of cultural origin English
terms with Capitalization
Following are some important concepts.
Note the capitalization. Being—the quality
of what is; that of which it may validly be said that it “is somewhere and
somewhen” and for which the where and when need not be simple or connected;
not defined as a substance; and indeed not a substance a being—anything
that has Being; a part of the universe; plural: beings logic—generally
any system of inference; most commonly deductive logic which is obviously
distinct from induction (however that this distinction is absolute is not
absolutely clear even thought it seems so) Logic—logic to
which fact is appended; also: argument matter—first
order Being; Being as elementary Being; elementary matter is sensed; as Being
is not a substance, matter and mind are not substances mind—refers to
all aspects of mind, not just cognition; Being in experiential relation;
second order Being; elementary mind is sensing reason—critical
imagination and experiential learning in relation to thought and action—the
proliferation of words such as rationality, logic, argument is quite
unnecessary as though there are so many different activities (except of
course that some technical distinctions have easy technical significance) the void—the
null part; absence of manifest Being universe—all
that has Being Work
needed
Consider marking concepts repeated in The concepts. The
flow of ideas—outline and main concepts
This section lists only essential and main
ideas; for secondary ideas see the main
part—The
concepts. Ideas in the overview are also listed
in the subsequent sections; ideas that are listed more than once in those
subsequent sections, are numbered with subscripts. Overview
becoming, sangha
(sharing community dedicated in truth) Being, ideal
elements of Being reason metaphysics, fundamental
principle, Brahman (ultimate real) system of real elements (system of
real categories) cosmology, agency,
being human, tat
tvam asi The Way of Being, yoga,
death Being
Becoming
This section is about the cultivation
and aim of Being becoming destiny, edge of the
known, paradigm, (limit),
sangha, truth
(sharing community dedicated in truth), persuasion,
the greatest truth, understanding Being
Being
itself
Being, sameness,
difference, existence,
verb to be, abstraction,
concretion A
relationship between Being and becoming
Experience
Experience
as given
experience, concept Experience
and the world
self, object On
psychology
Ideal
elements of Being
ideal elements of Being, (categories), ideal element,
(all, whole, part, null, manifest, possible), power Kinds
of being
conceptual model, linguistic model Reason
The
idea of reason
reason Ordinary
or immanent reason
Doubt
and dilemma
We should doubt everything, even doubt
itself—i.e. we should doubt but still engage in becoming (absolutes, e.g.
‘doubt all’, should be rendered logical). Possibility
and logic
possibility, limitlessness,
necessity Argument
argument Science
and religion
On
science
science Religion
and its relation to science
religion Value
Value(1),
art Metaphysics
Metaphysics
metaphysics, possibility of
metaphysics The
fundamental principle of metaphysics
The
principle
fundamental principle Consequences
consequences for identity, peaking, merging, Atman, Brahman, Aeternitas The
perfect universal metaphysics
perfect metaphysics, perfect
epistemology Criticism
of the metaphysics
Essential
problem of metaphysics
¿what has Being? Real
elements of Being
peak realization On
real elements
perfect instrument The
system of real elements
system of real elements (system of
real categories), (real element, abstract, concrete) The
real elements: Identity
identity The
real elements: Dynamics
dynamics The
real elements: Experiential modes
experiential modes Cosmology
Cosmology
cosmology General
cosmology and method
method Cosmology
of form and formation, general and likely origins
form Physical
cosmology
Process
Mind
and cosmos
matter, mind Life
life, evolution Psychology
Why
psychology is placed here
What
psychology is
psychology, function,
personality Method
Identity
Experience
Dimensions
of experience and personality
dimensions of experience Agency
agency Metaphysics
of value
value(2),
axiology Being
human
being human becoming human, emergence of
reason reflexive reason, life roles,
remaining human, function
roles tat tvam asi,
transcendence Civilization
and society
civilization, civilizing the
universe The
Way of Being
The
Way of Being
The Way of Being, the highest
pursuit The
aim of Being
aim of Being Pragmatic
agency and becoming
pragmatic agency yoga, way of life,
catalyst Path
path death (as fulcrum),
openness to the infinite, finite
resolution of significant meaning XI. The concepts
This part is a detailed listing with
explanation. Being
Becoming
This section is about the cultivation
and aim of Being becoming and manifestation; also see a
relationship between Being and becoming destiny (the unrealized that is thought to be
foreseeable and realizable), cycle of being
(i.e. of becoming), life, form, birth, stages of growth, limit,
possibility, decline, death (reckon,
day), merging with universal identity1, yoga
(meditation), peaks of identity, limitlessness means,
ideas, action; speech, persuasion (sharing, rhetoric), writing (text),
and life; text: resources, adaptable templates (universal, everyday, program
and priorities, stories) edge of the known (and unknown); (givenness of balance
in) stability and fluidity in worldview, paradigm
paradigmatic limit and flux,
knowledge, and concept meaning (distinguished from significant
meaning which are the two uses of meaning in this document)—primal
(holist), secular (open vs closed: science, art, humanities), and suprasecular
(secular plus: religion, dogmatic vs open) sangha (sharing community dedicated in truth) and persuasion—state
first and always: the greatest truth and way (to
other and self); then: explanation, reasons, lesser truth and means civilization culture,
significant meaning, the immediate and the ultimate, tradition,
paradigm prologue
(introduction, preface) history of the way
(stories, drama); a human endeavor; an individual life (personal story,
autobiography) and motives understanding narrative (difficulty at the edge of
the known) reeducation of understanding—intuition
and system of referential concept meaning Being
Being
itself
Being, sameness,
difference I.e. existence;
not contrasted to change—becoming—or non-being; derived from the verb to be2 used in a tense, place, and quality
neutral sense) ¿how Being? It is precise by abstraction3—there is existence; concretion. ¿why Being? A relationship between
Being and becoming
When and where Being emphasize being-in and being-in-relation
to the immediate and the ultimate, becoming emphasizes being-toward an end.
From this characterization, ethics is
immanent in Being. Experience
Experience
as given
experience4, (concept),
experience as fundamental or primitive and
so given; ostensive
definition near synonyms and
related terms: consciousness, subjective
awareness, phenomenal awareness, ‘what it is
like’, qualia alternate meanings not
used: cumulative experience, common experience, external experience Experience and the world
a standard
model of the world (of experience)—the following are real experience as: given, experience-of: pure
experience, attitude (aboutness, of
the world, intentionality), volitional, action
oriented (internal, external) experience and effective Being (effective existence) self (‘I’, experiencer)
and world (experienced;
object, null object)
or real world (metaphorically but mistakenly
thought of as the external world—for the world contains the self and
experience), freedom of will, other minds and agents standard model: details reflexive experience
(experience of experience), referential
experience recall
(memory) methodological skepticism,
(‘agnosticism’), system of philosophical problems to reconstruct the
world skeptical doubt:
standard model—givenness of experience etc; solipsism reconstruction of world:
world as maximal field of being-experience (standard
maximal field of being-experience and its reduction), necessity of from
possible interpretations—world as field with selves and universe as self,
world as material—and their logical indistinguishability; strict solipsism
(untenability of), probable reconstruction On
psychology
Study of all things of mind and behavior;
it is not academic psychology—i.e. not
merely academic psychology of the twentieth and twentyfirst centuries. Development
is deferred to psychology
where reasons for deferment are given. Ideal
elements of Being
element or ideal
elements of Being (or categories, ideal
and real) ideal element5 of Being (known perfectly, typically
abstract—i.e., sufficiently abstracted from experience to permit perfect
knowledge; note that even the concrete are abstracted) a system of
ideal elements Being (i.e. Being itself, which is an
element or category) the universe
(all, whole), beings (singular: a being or existent6
or part7, which may include the whole,
proper, and null parts), the void (null or null part), reason,
manifest, possible
(relative to the universe the possible is manifest somewhere in the history
of the universe), power (experience as effective
power), (possibility, and potential Kinds of being
Purpose:
Kinds of being fleshes the bare concepts of ‘Being’ and ‘beings’ kind (of Being), elements
of the world8 natural
(material, living), experiential9
(sentient, referring, standard psychological, free willing or agent, human), social-civilization, pan-universal models of the world (developed later) E.g. dynamics10
(entity, interaction, change), form and formation (paradigms of) conceptual model, linguistic
models linguistic referential meaning11 (or linguistic referential concept
meaning) (repeated later:
[symbol-object] or sign-concept-object) and its elements12 examples:
noun-object, verb-object, trope-object, sentence-object Reason
The
idea of reason
reason (abstract – allows perfect-ion,
concrete – pragmatic to perfect) rationality,
method, reflex
process, truth, knowledge, knowledge system13,
culture-tradition
(validity), action (technology), cumulative
experience, correction, learning Ordinary
or immanent reason
Entire mind—cognition,
criticism and construction
(imagination), emotion
and feeling as guide and datum Doubt
and dilemma
Role of doubt;
canonical dilemmas Possibility
and logic14
possibility
(logical possibility, limitlessness
real possibility—(logical), universal possibility, natural
possibility, agentive possibility; metaphysical possibility—as real and as
hypothetical-for-argument); necessity Argument
argument fact,
observation (experiment, observation, repeatability, corroboration,
consistency with other observation), pure fact, confirmation (abstraction) inference,
necessary inference, deduction, logic, Logic, validity, soundness,
likely inference (generalization, conduction,
scientific method—details below, under science),
strong argument, weak argument Science and religion
On
science
science, scientific
method (data: see fact, under argument
above; law, theory:
induction, hypothesis generation, abduction, also see likely inference,
under argument
above) sciences metaphysics as science15 concrete sciences—natural sciences, social sciences,
historical sciences, linguistics abstract sciences—logic, mathematics, statistics,
computer science nature, pattern,
law (Law, theory), pure history16 Religion
and its relation to science
religion (as exploration of the trans-empirical
realm by intuition, symbol, metaphor, art, metaphysics, and so on; without
claim as literal knowledge or science; but without violation of reason) study of religion
cannot be scientific or empirical alone but must be empirical, conceptual,
and ideal in light of the perfect universal
metaphysics religion and spirituality
intersect; some people prefer the latter term but I prefer religion in all
its aspects including those that we see as limiting and destructive Value17
value (sources of; as premise) or axiology art aesthetics,
ethics affect
(emotion) Metaphysics
Metaphysics
metaphysics, (possibility of),
(abstract18,
concrete) method(s) The
fundamental principle of metaphysics
The
principle
existence of the void heuristic
(if the universe is in a void state), proof
(nature of the void and law) the fundamental
principle of metaphysics (FP): the universe has limitlessness i.e.
is realization of logical possibility A perspective on the universe as the
logically possible. A common approach to ultimate physics is projection from
history of physics. An uncommon approach is to enquire of the outer limit of
all knowledge so as to project in. What is the limit? It does not exceed
logical possibility. And we have just shown it reaches this
limit. We are about to find this immensely empowering in itself and
addressing questions of science, the meaning of its fundamental concepts, and
a broad perspective on its future trajectory. Consequences
consequences for identity universal, individual, finitude limitlessness peaking, merging Atman (individual real, self, real self, permanent
self, soul), Brahman (ultimate real, Aeternitas) The
perfect universal metaphysics
perfect metaphysics (dual,
abstract-concrete integrated) perfect epistemology (dual, integrated), meaning of the
phrase ‘object of thought’ and possible
objects of thought local metaphysics,
local epistemology, science metaphor, art, religion the perfect metaphysics gives context
to the local and alters its significance—enhancing its existential significance if somewhat diminishing
its pragmatic significance, particularly the
significance of the standard paradigms primal, secular,
and suprasecular; these do retain
significance as in systems of human knowledge (knowledge system) but they are
no longer ultimate in significance Criticism
of the metaphysics
criticism existence of the void response: heuristic
(fundamental explanation will be necessary and make no assumption; will not
distinguish among manifestation of logically possible states), proof (equivalence of existence and non existence
of the void) consistency response: internal
consistency (reason, logic), empirical
consistency (science, common experience) doubt: magnitude
of claim, utility of claim, triviality (including triviality of Being) response: rationally irrelevant, yet magnitude—motive
to doubt and resolution as above and comparison to science: the
metaphysics is more rational and globally empirical; less locally empirical,
which is irrelevant as the metaphysics is trans-local utility—the
metaphysics is existentially powerful and, with local knowledge, powerful
both locally (the local is enhanced) and in realizing the ultimate triviality—it
is trivial but powerful Essential
problem of metaphysics
essential problem of metaphysics ¿what has Being?, subsumption of the problems of metaphysics The ideal
elements were real and perfectly known by abstraction. Via abstraction of the
essential from the particular, there is Being—there are beings. From an
abstract perspective, Being as quality may be seen as a being. Real
elements of Being
peak realization On
real elements
The ideal elements were real and
perfectly known by abstraction. The perfect universal metaphysics
extends the metaphysics of the ideal elements (the pure or abstract
metaphysics). The pure shows the ultimate; the unattainability of the
classical local ideals and therefore the absence of need for it; and the
local pragmatic knowledge as perfect instrument for attainment of the
ultimate and perfect in its pragmatism; and therefore a dual metaphysics and
epistemology as perfect (this does no negate the classical ideal in that we
want better local knowledge even though we know it cannot be perfect). The real elements are a perfect instrument, interacting combination of the
ideal and the pragmatic. The
system of real elements
(the ideal and abstract as real) system of real elements (system of
real categories) real element19 of Being the abstract
and the concrete (elements) truth
(or knowledge) as correspondence
distinguishes the abstract as ideal from the concrete on dual correspondence-pragmatic truth
the abstract-concrete merge as perfect dual correspondence-pragmatic truth The
real elements: Identity
modes, e.g. sameness,
difference, proximity,
unimodal extension, spatial extension,
duration, and spacetime The
real elements: Dynamics
dynamics (triad of object-interaction-process
or identity-interaction-change at material and agent levels22,
form and formation (paradigms of) identity-interaction-change The
real elements: Experiential modes
experiential modes23 experience-experienced
(roughly mind-matter) attribute24, experience as the single world attribute Cosmology
Cosmology
cosmology is general cosmology and all its
divisions General
cosmology and method
general cosmology, method method(s) (reason, descriptive paradigm: the metaphysics, possibility, models of universe—of Being and identity) universe as limitless arrays of
cosmoses (in extension) and identities, merging into, peaking as, dissolution
from one identity; manifestation as one-step
and multi-step with transient emergence from the void (emergence from the void); there is no external creator for the universe but one
cosmos may be implicated in the creation of another Cosmology
of formation, general and likely origins
form, cosmology
of formation and origins one-step as remote possibility,
multi-step with transient emergence and adaptation
(adaptation paradigm: random variation and selection for stability) as
‘symmetry capture’, stability and relative stability (symmetry
and near symmetry), cosmological scales Physical
cosmology
physical cosmology standard cosmology
and physics—big bang, general relativity, quantum theory and standard model
of elementary particles physical models of formation—out
of quantum chaos, multiverse
(bubble universes), adaptive systems models ab initio models—see
cosmology of formation, adaptation, stability, symmetry, dynamics (superposed residual indeterminism—e.g. quantum, models of cosmos), and conservation
laws; conservation and second order dynamics;
transience of origins as source of immanent physics: physical identity-dynamics-extension (as in general
relativity); quantum behavior and quantum vacuum as vestige of transients from the
void Process
determinism (general, absolute
determinism), indeterminism (general,
absolute indeterminism) cause, causation,
causality, acausal process mechanism, teleology Mind
and cosmos
With Being as Being or first order Being as the preferred concept of matter, mind is Being in relation (experiential
relation) or mind is Being in relation or second order Being, the preferred concept of mind,
which always has the potential to be experiential (from FP,
and from which there must be mind). Here, ‘mind’ is the most general term for
the mental, covering sensation, perception, cognition, feeling, and emotion. Form is logically necessary for mind but
further material substrate is not—the form is (part of) the material;
multiple modes of mind (and matter)
are possible even in a single cosmos but in stable cosmoses it may be
expected that there is a single mode of matter and correspondingly a single
mode of mind; different modes from the same or different cosmoses may merge
and emerge as other modes or a single mode Life
life ecosystem, organism biological function scales,
micro to meso; molecular, chemical, and physical biology reproduction genetic material evolution theories of evolution25, variation,
selection, adaptation history of life Psychology
Why
psychology is placed here
Psychology began in Being,
particularly sections experience
and the given, experience and the world,
ideal
elements of being, and kinds of being.
It is placed here to keep early development direct, to benefit
from the metaphysics, to use terms for mind and matter that are as
broad as possible in scope and that avoid their distorted connotations,
and to avoid circularity. What
psychology is
psychology Here psychology is broader in scope and
method than academic psychology which has
appropriated the term ‘psychology’ in such a manner as to distort it. Psychology will mean study Of all things about mind—all function: cognition, emotion; memory;
aspects of function, e.g. learning; personality
and growth Of all things related to mind—body and
brain (biological psychology), mind and
world By all means—description;
academic psychology; conceptual or philosophical psychology (initiated earlier) Method
reason, methodological
skepticism objectivity of experience26 (see being, experience, and
objectivity) philosophy of psychology, science of psychology27 Identity
See the section real elements of Being. Experience
It is convenient to repeat some terms
from section Being—the
subsections experience
and the given, experience and the world,
and kinds
of being experience experience-of effective Being
(effective existence), real Being
(existence, existence and effective existent are the same; power and
effective power are the same) reflexive experience
(experience of experience), referential experience recall (memory) concept
(as general mental content, as object capable of referring; higher concept), object, referential
meaning (referential concept meaning) as concept-existent or
concept-object language
and linguistic referential meaning (or linguistic
referential concept meaning) as [symbol-object]
or sign-concept-object) Dimensions
of experience
experience, dimensions
of experience, experiencer, experienced (inner,
psyche, body, recall (memory); outer, world, other; holist),
form-quality (not currently for development:
phenomenon, subject, object or as-if object) bound-free
content bound content (percept-feeling),
free content (higher concept, emotion
or concept-feeling), freedom of will, foresight focal-background intense,
neutral, imperative psychological function cognition
(perception, conception, language), emotions
(fear, joy),
pain personality development, plasticity-fixity, elements,
type and relationship to Being Agency
(conceptual) (see pragmatic agency and becoming,
below) agency (deployment
of ability, emphasizing the following) foresight,
dynamics, will,
metaphysics, reason transformation intrinsic
transformation, instrumental transformation Metaphysics
of value
value, or axiology aesthetics,
ethics value as real (from the metaphysics and nature of
the abstract) The Way of Being—the
highest pursuit as seen from the
metaphysics—see the
Way of Being. Being
human
recall that reason involves the entire
being being human Being at the intersection of the
limited and the limitless; finite Being capable via mind of understanding and
negotiating the infinite in abstract and the concrete beginning of
limitlessness. Grounded in the world (nature and
civilization) by body (and mind) and by mind in the universe. becoming human, growth emergence of reason, childhood reflexive reason understanding reason, reasoning
about reason culture, role,
adjustment, and achievement life roles: student, adult, relationship, parent,
maturity, ageing
and dying remaining human, time,
death, authenticity function roles: play, education, life path (career:
maintained, maintainer, forerunner or outlier, leader),
seeking tat tvam asi
(“you are that”; self as ultimate real) transcendence: self-transcendence, culture-transcendence defining limits of culture and paradigm,
reason and the ultimate, actualizing Spirit
In on the idea of spirit.html,
the concepts of spirit, soul, (and God),
are found ontologically superfluous. There is no ontological need for
the concept of spirit over and above that of Being. Civilization
and society
civilization28 local civilization,
human civilization, universal civilization, civilizing
the universe society instruments
(of civilization) reason,
metaphysics, social science, information and technological science of
universal civilization, art, religion, pragmatic
agency The
Way of Being
The Way of Being
The Way of Being—the highest
pursuit as seen from the metaphysics—to know and realize the real and
valuable in the immediate and the universal. From the metaphysics this is
rates enjoyment over avoidance of pain in realizing, merging in peaks of Being. The
aim of Being
aim endeavor,
goal, path,
destiny aim of Being The way of Being Pragmatic agency and
becoming
(continued from psychology
> agency
above) pragmatic agency (feasible agency; as follows) principles of agency (the metaphysics, dynamics, reason) knowledge system29 (intrinsic—‘internal’
and self-mind oriented, instrumental—external
and world-body oriented) yoga (intrinsic), (principle, nature—to
bind or yoke self to universe; practice, action—yoga as instrumental),
(traditional and non-traditional means to
“apprehend” the universe—i.e. to know – understand – become the essence of
the universe), meditation art
(iconic, literature, metaphor, drama, ritual, architecture) way
(religion) way of life (knowledge, metaphor,
attitude, action
phases of life, sangha) walks of life impediments (resentment, fear, anger, …), overcoming in balance with achievement; external
resources (the exemplary, the way, community), internal resources (reason…) catalyst (catharsis) physical emotional cognitive
(citta, vijñana) mystic beyul science (instrumental); science, sciences and immersion (intrinsic) sciences
of nature, psyche, society and civilization; technology Path
(epilogue) path eternal process journey of Being,
individual journey, being in the present, the
immediate and the ultimate death this life as finite,
death as end to this life knowledge of death
to enhance meaning and experience in this life and beyond: the finiteness of
this life as fulcrum to openness
to the infinite dual to finite resolution of
significant meaning in the present planning <the date of> one’s death planning death templates (universal
template, everyday template, program and priorities, stories—drama, myth, metaphor,
allegory, parable, novel) XII.
Resources
Concepts are marked below but
unnecessary to the database. Appropriate resource concepts are in the section
on becoming. Influences
and sources
sources concepts topic,
influence, thinker,
school, actor General
resources
work discipline publication
(primary, secondary, tertiary) document
(personal, shared), biography, autobiography library, media Metaconcepts
for the database
database database theory,
knowledge generation, knowledge assistance general, knowledge, metaphysics concept30 reflex concept source author, text, literature, writing
(personal, shared), resource Endnotes 1 The presence of these notions, secular and other, at this point
is ‘for consideration’, not as fact or dogma. 2 ‘To be’ may be specific or nonspecific respect to place, tense,
and quality. For Being, the nonspecific is the primary interest. In
abstraction suppresses the distinctions. 3 More on abstraction and the related notion of meaning later. In
an alternate development, language, meaning, and reason could be preliminary
to Being. 4 Definition and explanation. Elaboration could fit here but is
more effective in psychology. 5 An ideal element is perfectly known, typically in a
correspondence sense by conceptual abstraction. Thus the ideals are typically
abstracta. However, the abstract are real. What we call concrete tend to be
objects-in-direct-experience which are also known by abstraction—i.e.
perceptual abstraction. If pragmatic knowledge is admitted then the concreta
are also perfect. The abstract-concrete distinction or continuum is rather
metaphorical in character. 6 Plurals are ‘beings’ and ‘existents’. 7 A part need not be simple or connected and the defining feature
of a part need not be based in spatiotemporal-like sameness and difference; a
set of entities specified by the number ‘two’ or exhibiting ‘two-ness’ or a
range of energies (where energy has meaning) are a part. A part is a being
and a being is a part. There is no further connotation to ‘Being’ and
‘beings’. Connotations are introduced via kinds of being. 8 As defining the world, elements and models are essentially metaphysical.
The degree to which these may be precise in general is not given in advance
of identifying or defining and critiquing the metaphysics. 9 Mental. 10 Mechanics is an alternate term. What are some further possible
terms? 11 See linguistic
referential meaning in the
way-main.html. See language,
meaning, and metaphysics for elements of language. 12 See grammar,
language, and metaphysics in language,
meaning, and metaphysics. 13 See system
of human knowledge.html. 14 Kept separate from argument because possibility has a special
role in developing the metaphysics 15 As science, metaphysics is not essentially as concrete-empirical
as the concrete sciences and not essentially as abstract-conceptual as the abstract
sciences but employs method, the abstract, and the concrete as they are
useful in a science of Being, beings, and the universe. 16 Refers to the temporally indeterministic side of history. 17 Value falls under reason and rationality because many of their
uses require input from values and affect. Further, though objectivity in
values may be elusive, they will be seen real and subject to critique and
improvement even where consensus may be difficult. 18 Previously ‘pure metaphysics’. 19 Extended category; equivalent to ‘element’. Includes the ideal
elements or categories. 20 Identity is (sense of) sameness with difference (change)—as
experienced, existent, or object. Obviously some kind of continuity is
involved; it may be in memory and identification rather than ‘material’
continuity. As far as the principle of identity is concerned, it is not
necessary to explicitly resolve the nature of the continuity. 21 Generalized spatiotemporal—identity derived—sameness and
difference. Difference with and without identity mark local time and space,
respectively. 22 Why second order? Perhaps for conservation and translation
invariance. 23 I prefer experiential-experienced over the varied and limited
connotations ‘of mind’ and ‘of matter’ because of the varied connotations of
the latter. Thus, ‘mind’ often omits emotion; and these equivalents all
limited: material, physical, sensible, manifest, effective, causal, energetic
and so on. Some possibilities for matter are first order Being; possibilities
for mind are second order Being, psyche, the Pali ‘citta’. Citta would be in
an abstract-general use that suppresses distinctions of process vs. entity
etc and includes manas and vijñana. 24 In the sense of Spinoza who identified our two attributes as
thought-extension, or mind-matter. Spinoza explained world as God who had an
infinite number of attributes. I argued that there can only be two attributes
in the mind-matter series but that beings can have an infinite number of
properties. I now argue that there is a single ‘attribute’. 25 I.e. the major components of Darwinian evolution. Not a
reference to Lamarck’s theory or any teleological theory. 26 Meaning that existence and some of its facets, e.g. freedom of
will, are or can be known objectively… and not that the putative objects
experience are known ‘objectively’, or not, without investigation. 27 What it is and how it is done. 28 Our civilization is the web of human culture over time and
continents; greater or universal civilization is the interacting matrix
civilizations and Being across the universe. 29 See system
of human knowledge.html (repeated footnote). 30 Concepts are objects or parts of objects that refer to other objects. Not all objects are capable of having reference but some beings with minds are. See referential meaning in the way-main.html. |