Let's do a bit of philosophy 100...
As I search for the 21st century philosopher and the criteria required to bestow that honor to a deserving individual...
In the past, many "philosphers" were scientists...or at least they pursued answers to the question "Why?"
Which is what a scientist does best...
Often, this required a significant level of bravery because their discoveries went counter to the society's beliefs.
Society need answers to "Why?" more than anything else...it can be likened to a child's journey to adulthood...
The pursuit of "Why?" was significantly more important at that point in time to the progression of society than the application of the knowledge...
Past philosophers sought knowledge...yet the essence of philosophy is not on knowledge...but on the application of knowledge to the benefit of society...
To me and to you there is a self-evident conclusion...the 21st century must be focused on "What?"
Perhaps better stated..."So What?" or...
The value proposition of the application of knowledge to society's benefit...
When we enter the realm of "application of fact"...we move from science to engineering...which to me is an interesting thought...
A philosopher is the ultimate social engineer...who takes the discoveries (either made by himself or by others)...collides them with the social needs...controls the collision with ethics and moral concepts.
The ultimate philosopher works in all three worlds...but primarily in the realm of guided application...
Consistency, coherency...and non-contridiction...(The 3-C's)
Those astute in philosophy know that I have stated nothing other than the true meaning of philosophy...
I believe that we have to have this understanding in the forefront of our criteria...in order to find that individual...
It can not be an after-thought...
The 21st century philosopher, in this sense is an engineer...a global engineer...that will take the answers to the many "Whys?" assess their immutability and create a set of recommendations for action that maintain absolute adherence to the "3-C's."
So has the search for the 21st century philosopher been too narrow?
Do I need to expand it beyond "Nobel Laureates" to the engineering world?
...or...
Do we look in the streets among those discerning and "simple" people who apply what they know...make change in the world...or at least the part that matters...
Real impact will not be found in people who call themselves "initiators"...but by those who are "do'ers"
It is easy to sit back and tell others to "what to do"
It is much more difficult to stand up and work anything to its conclusion...
Anyone can start a marathon...fewer can run it to the finish line...
Those are the courageous people and this concept needs to stand as one of the selection criteria...
Perhaps not just for that specific 21st century hero...but for all of us...
Because if that is not an inherent trait...society is destined for degradation...
Addressing Relevant Issues and the Foundational Needs of this Society and the World...in Hope of Leaving it better for our having been here...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Some Things Change...
There is a thematic line in the movie "Matrix - Revolutions" that resounds...but is often ignored because of its superficial appearance...
It is repeated between Morpheus and Naomi and appears to be a jaded communication between the two related to their past relationship...and its current state...
One of the two says..."Some things never change..."
...and the other responds..."and some things do..."
This concept however goes significantly deeper than that of a relationship, when taken in the perspective of the 21st century philosopher...
Consider that 21st century...in fact every century...(I am not using the time period but referring to eras within the human condition)...as a symphony.
A good symphony has a basic theme...that prevails subtly throughout the entire piece. The beauty of a symphony is found in the variations on the theme...some of those variations are expected and the listener is "elated" by the fact that they predicted the variant...others are totally unexpected...and delight the listener by the surprise!
The 21st century is not unlike a one of the variants within an ongoing human symphony...but just one of the variants...
When we look at this variant...we notice that the tempo has increased...perhaps to a point that the underlying theme nearly disappears...
Despite the fact that that it is imperceptible...it is still there!
"Some things never change...and some things do..."
Finding that theme and it variants...has been the challenge of anthropologist, theologians, psychologists, philosophers...and more...throughout the ages...
It remains the greatest challenge for the 21st century philosopher...
The challenge is however complicated by the tempo and volume of the current existence...
Acuity must be honed and the themes found before the tempo changes and other elements added to create additional variation into the equation by the GREAT CONDUCTOR!
Rest assured that the theme is there...it is just clouded by the pace and shear size of the 21st century orchestra!
The 21st century philosopher should be striving to find the purity of the theme...and cut through the nosie...not rejecting it as meaningless...but identifying it as an artistic addition that enhances the beauty of the symphony...and passes as quickly as the tastes of the 21st century audience...
BRAVO!
"Some things change...and some things never do!"
This submission is short and sweet!
It is repeated between Morpheus and Naomi and appears to be a jaded communication between the two related to their past relationship...and its current state...
One of the two says..."Some things never change..."
...and the other responds..."and some things do..."
This concept however goes significantly deeper than that of a relationship, when taken in the perspective of the 21st century philosopher...
Consider that 21st century...in fact every century...(I am not using the time period but referring to eras within the human condition)...as a symphony.
A good symphony has a basic theme...that prevails subtly throughout the entire piece. The beauty of a symphony is found in the variations on the theme...some of those variations are expected and the listener is "elated" by the fact that they predicted the variant...others are totally unexpected...and delight the listener by the surprise!
The 21st century is not unlike a one of the variants within an ongoing human symphony...but just one of the variants...
When we look at this variant...we notice that the tempo has increased...perhaps to a point that the underlying theme nearly disappears...
Despite the fact that that it is imperceptible...it is still there!
"Some things never change...and some things do..."
Finding that theme and it variants...has been the challenge of anthropologist, theologians, psychologists, philosophers...and more...throughout the ages...
It remains the greatest challenge for the 21st century philosopher...
The challenge is however complicated by the tempo and volume of the current existence...
Acuity must be honed and the themes found before the tempo changes and other elements added to create additional variation into the equation by the GREAT CONDUCTOR!
Rest assured that the theme is there...it is just clouded by the pace and shear size of the 21st century orchestra!
The 21st century philosopher should be striving to find the purity of the theme...and cut through the nosie...not rejecting it as meaningless...but identifying it as an artistic addition that enhances the beauty of the symphony...and passes as quickly as the tastes of the 21st century audience...
BRAVO!
"Some things change...and some things never do!"
This submission is short and sweet!
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Multi-verse and the Right to Philosophize...
I recently received an email that questioned my right and ability to philosophize.
"Who are you to challenge the way things are...?" it said...
"Just what do you know about philosophy anyway...?"
Interesting questions!
There is a long and a short answer to these questions...
I choose the shorter journey and will rely on the reader's ability to draw conclusions...
Let's begin with the most influential high school teacher that I had...
Name withheld...one of the MANY degrees that she held was a PhD in Philosophy...
She took me under her wing and taught me philosophy during my most formative years...philosophy became part of my DNA...
In college...(I have a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies by the way) I studied under many of that times most influential Philosophers...A Hume Advocate...a Hegelian...an Eastern Philosopher whose son has gone on to teach history at a prestigious university...a renowned Logician...I could drop names...but this would only be for my edification...
Although the classes and discussions were enlightening...I found the MANY hours that we spent before and after class...in deep discussion much more formative...
I could tout credentials...but my short answer is...
I had an INTEREST...I cultivated that interest (with the help and guidance of others) into a PASSION...and over the past 30 years...turned it into a TALENT...
The right to philosophize is not a right given by a degree...or by achieving some level of publication...but through the relevance of the questions that they ask and the answers that they obtain...
On that and that alone do I exercise my right to philosophize...
Enough Said!
*********************************
The "multi-verse" has again reared it head! For those who have not pondered the multi-verse...it is simply the concept that every logical and illogical possibility exists in the "sum-total universe." Our existence is simply one variation of all of the "strings" (I use that term loosely) that actually exist.
It is an interesting concept...that makes our existence much less meaningful...we are simply one of an infinite number of mathematical (infinite) possibilities...that are not theoretical...but actual...and just as real...or unreal...
I enjoy this musing...it makes for great conversations at dinner and cocktail parties. But I have little confidence that it would make meaningful and significant differences in science or humanity...WHY?
Because understanding that there are other "existences" does not provide a deeper understanding of our "existence.
The 21st century philosophers and scientists need to maintain focus on deeper understanding and insight into our dimension...
Let those who exist in those other "strings" worry about their "strings!" In fact one possibility it that they do not care about it at all! LOL!
My interest in the multi-verse was peaked when I tried to put it into perspective relative to my concept of a finite "Pi." As I considered the multi-verse, I concluded that we may simply be the place where "Pi" has no end...and then my quest for finite "Pi" is fruitless...on the other hand...we may be the universe that has lost touch with the REAL number system and is destined to flounder in our own stupidity...
OR...
We may be the universe that suddenly becomes enlightened by the inconsistencies of our current mathematics and bring the finite "Pi" into existence!
This is where the multi-verse shines! We do not know...
We can have a fatalistic view of existence...or
We can consider the possibilities...and choose the direction that we want this universe to travel!
Consider that!
Your work and thoughts and efforts...can have universal impacts...that not only effects our own existence...but all of the other existences as well...
Perhaps this universe is significantly more "ethnocentric" than we realize!
Enough Said!
"Who are you to challenge the way things are...?" it said...
"Just what do you know about philosophy anyway...?"
Interesting questions!
There is a long and a short answer to these questions...
I choose the shorter journey and will rely on the reader's ability to draw conclusions...
Let's begin with the most influential high school teacher that I had...
Name withheld...one of the MANY degrees that she held was a PhD in Philosophy...
She took me under her wing and taught me philosophy during my most formative years...philosophy became part of my DNA...
In college...(I have a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies by the way) I studied under many of that times most influential Philosophers...A Hume Advocate...a Hegelian...an Eastern Philosopher whose son has gone on to teach history at a prestigious university...a renowned Logician...I could drop names...but this would only be for my edification...
Although the classes and discussions were enlightening...I found the MANY hours that we spent before and after class...in deep discussion much more formative...
I could tout credentials...but my short answer is...
I had an INTEREST...I cultivated that interest (with the help and guidance of others) into a PASSION...and over the past 30 years...turned it into a TALENT...
The right to philosophize is not a right given by a degree...or by achieving some level of publication...but through the relevance of the questions that they ask and the answers that they obtain...
On that and that alone do I exercise my right to philosophize...
Enough Said!
*********************************
The "multi-verse" has again reared it head! For those who have not pondered the multi-verse...it is simply the concept that every logical and illogical possibility exists in the "sum-total universe." Our existence is simply one variation of all of the "strings" (I use that term loosely) that actually exist.
It is an interesting concept...that makes our existence much less meaningful...we are simply one of an infinite number of mathematical (infinite) possibilities...that are not theoretical...but actual...and just as real...or unreal...
I enjoy this musing...it makes for great conversations at dinner and cocktail parties. But I have little confidence that it would make meaningful and significant differences in science or humanity...WHY?
Because understanding that there are other "existences" does not provide a deeper understanding of our "existence.
The 21st century philosophers and scientists need to maintain focus on deeper understanding and insight into our dimension...
Let those who exist in those other "strings" worry about their "strings!" In fact one possibility it that they do not care about it at all! LOL!
My interest in the multi-verse was peaked when I tried to put it into perspective relative to my concept of a finite "Pi." As I considered the multi-verse, I concluded that we may simply be the place where "Pi" has no end...and then my quest for finite "Pi" is fruitless...on the other hand...we may be the universe that has lost touch with the REAL number system and is destined to flounder in our own stupidity...
OR...
We may be the universe that suddenly becomes enlightened by the inconsistencies of our current mathematics and bring the finite "Pi" into existence!
This is where the multi-verse shines! We do not know...
We can have a fatalistic view of existence...or
We can consider the possibilities...and choose the direction that we want this universe to travel!
Consider that!
Your work and thoughts and efforts...can have universal impacts...that not only effects our own existence...but all of the other existences as well...
Perhaps this universe is significantly more "ethnocentric" than we realize!
Enough Said!
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