LET'S TALK ABOUT . . .
FAITHFULLY YOUR'S . . . ABSOLUTELY YOUR'S
I want to thank those of you who are reading and responding to these blogs. Your comments and questions are deeply appreciated and respected. I hope to respond to many of them in the days to come. To do so, however, without laying a foundation and creating a context from which my responses can be considered would seem ineffective and unbeneficial in the bigger picture. So hang on to your questions. Do not weary of the journey. It is good for us to wrestle with issues that have the potential of changing our lives!
In the previous two blogs our capacity for deception, even by our own perceptual realities, has been set forth for your consideration. As well, the consideration that we may have swung too far into a relativistic trend since the twentieth century to claim intellectual integrity regarding absolutes has been set forth. The conclusion thus far is that as limited finite human beings we need to seek an external plumb line to anchor us and explore possible solutions to extremely complex issues in these turbulent times.
Continuing forward, it would seem logical to argue that the external plumb line humanity needs is an absolute one. That, however, is going to be left for the next blog, Absolutely Your's, which will deal with issues of "authority." One need only listen to the news to realize that the world is in the midst of multiple authority crises. Some days one wonders if there are any authorities worthy of an investment of trust, especially in light of all the exposures and scandals at the highest levels of authority around the world. How do we know it is an endeavor worthy of our energy to invest any measure of trust in a given authority figure or structure? Knowing and trusting are integrally linked and we are living in the midst authority and trust crises. More . . . next time.
It is logically prior to consider here what is known as "epistemology," which deals with how we know what we know. At any given moment we are bombarded both from internal and external sources. We referred to this in the second blog. This blog and the next one, then, are going to raise questions regarding how do we know what we know and how do we know it is true, worthy of our trust. If what we know is in fact not true then we are deliberately trusting an untruth, selectively choosing to invest trust anyway not caring if it is true or we may be deceived.
There is more than one way in which we know and process all that comes into our lives for consideration. We as individuals know what we know cognitively, emotionally, perceptually, intuitively, relationally and existentially, to mention only a few. We know what we know through many different and varied processes in which we engage consciously or unconsciously. We are the synthesis of many internal and external forces that come to bear on us at any given moment. In the final analysis we are left to invest belief and trust in something on some internal/external basis.
Have you ever thought about how you know what you know? Or, how you know what you know is true? Can you agree that in the final analysis it comes down to a belief and a choice to invest trust?
Does that shed any light on why relativism has taken many down roads of confusion, disillusioned and disheartened as to whether we can ever really know or trust anyone or anything with absolute confidence? Many have been left enraged or hopeless, adrift without an anchor! How confident are you in what you know and why you know it is true?
Until next time . . . this is, Just Janice!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
LET'S TALK ABOUT . . .
FEELING ABSOLUTELY ADRIFT
In my last blog I proposed that as limited finite human beings we are all vulnerable to being deceived, to believing that something is true when in fact it is not. We all buy into the way things appear rather than the way they really are. This happens to us as individuals and as societies, in specific moments and across the years.
Hegel's Dialectic proposed that history moves from thesis to antithesis to synthesis. While this may be true, it is not always the course history is taking in the bigger picture or on all levels. We must acknowledge that history is both fact and interpretation, or perceived reality.
Our perceptions of reality are so integral to the way we see life, we lose sight of the power of perception in our lives. When we talk about the grids through which we approach and interact with others and our worlds we are talking about perceptual realities. Further, perceptual realities are influenced by numerous factors from internal and external sources. Internally, we are affected by bio-genetics, personality constructs, diet and medications, health, illness, aging, etc. Externally, we are affected by familial and societal conditioning; educational factors; geographic, political and financial factors; life events, etc.
As limited finite human beings we need to acknowledge that none of us has a total grasp of reality at any given moment or time in history. We just simply are not capable of that. It would require a capacity we simply do not possess. So then, where are we to seek truth and reality in our lives? At best, perceived reality may be just that, perceived reality. Your perceived reality may be just as valid as mine if that is the only resource we have. That, in turn, would support the findings of relativism and pluralism that have been the product of twentieth century enlightenment.
There is another option that is worthy of our consideration. Perhaps we need to embrace a little bit of Hegel's philosophy of history and swing back toward more of a "synthetic position" away from the extreme swing that lead to a perceptual revolution of relativism. It has locked much of humanity in a closed system, desperately hoping we can come up with the solutions required to solve what appears to be insurmountable problems on multiple levels in our world. No wonder anxiety and depression are on the rise. No wonder narcissism and entitlement are equally on the rise.
What would happen if we could swing back to some kind of "synthetic," middle ground position where we are truly comfortable with a more humble view of ourselves in keeping with the reality that we are in fact limited and finite beings. What if everything isn't relative? What if we have gotten carried away with that notion? What if there actually are absolutes? Would you really like to live in a world where that is NOT true.? What if you woke up tomorrow and middle C wasn't middle C anymore? What if 4 wasn't 4? What if English wasn't English?
As a young university student I was a calculus major; I never would have guessed I would end up on the soft side of science, working among social scientists for years. I am probably a bit of a hybrid. I will never forget the final exam where I needed to prove that zero actually existed. . . gives me a headache to even think about it now! One of the lessons I did learn is that there are both absolutes and there are relative realities. The challenge before us is to discern which are which. How are we going to attempt that?
I am proposing that in order to even attempt such we need to accept that because of our limited finite nature we need both external and internal reference points held in humble tension. My question for your consideration in this blog is, what are the absolutes you cling to for some kind of stability in your life? Are they more inside of you or outside of you?
If we are going to seek some kind of absolute truth or reality to embrace internally, we need an external plumb line to keep us moored, anchored, so as not to be adrift the sea of relativism referred to in the first blog. What is your external plumb line? Is it an absolute or a relative entity? Does it enable you to hold those realities in some kind of tension? What is the nature of that tension?
Have you got a headache yet? I hope this is not too heavy; we need to lay a foundation on which to build in future blogs. But for now it is good for us to consider and think about these issues. We are all living lives based on conclusions to these issues, whether we are conscious of it or not.
Until next time. . . this is, Just Janice!
FEELING ABSOLUTELY ADRIFT
In my last blog I proposed that as limited finite human beings we are all vulnerable to being deceived, to believing that something is true when in fact it is not. We all buy into the way things appear rather than the way they really are. This happens to us as individuals and as societies, in specific moments and across the years.
Hegel's Dialectic proposed that history moves from thesis to antithesis to synthesis. While this may be true, it is not always the course history is taking in the bigger picture or on all levels. We must acknowledge that history is both fact and interpretation, or perceived reality.
Our perceptions of reality are so integral to the way we see life, we lose sight of the power of perception in our lives. When we talk about the grids through which we approach and interact with others and our worlds we are talking about perceptual realities. Further, perceptual realities are influenced by numerous factors from internal and external sources. Internally, we are affected by bio-genetics, personality constructs, diet and medications, health, illness, aging, etc. Externally, we are affected by familial and societal conditioning; educational factors; geographic, political and financial factors; life events, etc.
As limited finite human beings we need to acknowledge that none of us has a total grasp of reality at any given moment or time in history. We just simply are not capable of that. It would require a capacity we simply do not possess. So then, where are we to seek truth and reality in our lives? At best, perceived reality may be just that, perceived reality. Your perceived reality may be just as valid as mine if that is the only resource we have. That, in turn, would support the findings of relativism and pluralism that have been the product of twentieth century enlightenment.
There is another option that is worthy of our consideration. Perhaps we need to embrace a little bit of Hegel's philosophy of history and swing back toward more of a "synthetic position" away from the extreme swing that lead to a perceptual revolution of relativism. It has locked much of humanity in a closed system, desperately hoping we can come up with the solutions required to solve what appears to be insurmountable problems on multiple levels in our world. No wonder anxiety and depression are on the rise. No wonder narcissism and entitlement are equally on the rise.
What would happen if we could swing back to some kind of "synthetic," middle ground position where we are truly comfortable with a more humble view of ourselves in keeping with the reality that we are in fact limited and finite beings. What if everything isn't relative? What if we have gotten carried away with that notion? What if there actually are absolutes? Would you really like to live in a world where that is NOT true.? What if you woke up tomorrow and middle C wasn't middle C anymore? What if 4 wasn't 4? What if English wasn't English?
As a young university student I was a calculus major; I never would have guessed I would end up on the soft side of science, working among social scientists for years. I am probably a bit of a hybrid. I will never forget the final exam where I needed to prove that zero actually existed. . . gives me a headache to even think about it now! One of the lessons I did learn is that there are both absolutes and there are relative realities. The challenge before us is to discern which are which. How are we going to attempt that?
I am proposing that in order to even attempt such we need to accept that because of our limited finite nature we need both external and internal reference points held in humble tension. My question for your consideration in this blog is, what are the absolutes you cling to for some kind of stability in your life? Are they more inside of you or outside of you?
If we are going to seek some kind of absolute truth or reality to embrace internally, we need an external plumb line to keep us moored, anchored, so as not to be adrift the sea of relativism referred to in the first blog. What is your external plumb line? Is it an absolute or a relative entity? Does it enable you to hold those realities in some kind of tension? What is the nature of that tension?
Have you got a headache yet? I hope this is not too heavy; we need to lay a foundation on which to build in future blogs. But for now it is good for us to consider and think about these issues. We are all living lives based on conclusions to these issues, whether we are conscious of it or not.
Until next time. . . this is, Just Janice!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
LET'S TALK ABOUT . . .
"AVOIDING 'THE LUCIFER SYNDROM'"
We all know that things are not always what they appear to be and yet we buy into that thinking and hope. It is almost as if we are desperately searching for somewhere to anchor the desire that they actually be whatever they appear or advertise themselves to be. This search has become increasingly powerful in the shadow of all the "isms" of the twentieth century and the face of a steady stream of exposures and scandals.
This is true on all levels of society and around the world. Even the most venerated institutions that have formed the bedrock of many societies have fallen to scandal, leaving voids of distrust and anxiety. We do not like "playing the fool," misplacing our trust. It shames and angers us! That's the reference in the old saying, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Integral to playing the fool is being deceived. It happens to all of us. There is no healthy fool-proof way to defend against it 100% of the time. We are limited, finite human beings vulnerable to being deceived and playing the fool.
Being deceived can happen very quickly or over a long period of time. It happens on both an individual basis and in societies throughout the world. One of my growing concerns is that on an ever-increasing basis what used to occur on more of an individual basis is rapidly becoming more of a societal and world experience. When this occurs norms will invariably shift either very quickly or slowly over time. The world of electronics and social media are accelerating this pace around the globe.
Every generation bears witness to both progressive and degenerative realities in their lifetime. We usually enjoy or try to keep up with the progressive elements while silently mourning or longing for that which has been lost or left behind. We embrace some elements while resisting others. This is inevitable. For example, many of the scientific advances of our day are incredibly progressive and life-giving while at the same time creating and leaving moral and ethical dilemmas in their wake that societies cannot even begin to resolve before the scientific community is on to the next discovery.
Again, this will always be true!
So how do we even begin to attend to these realities and navigate our way through them in a way that is healthy rather than conflicted and confused at every turn? Is there a way we can be certain in the midst of uncertainties, constant in the face of the inconstancy and consistent in the face of inconsistencies?
One of my concerns is that most people simply go with the flow until something forces them to engage in a conscious intentional process of trying to think through the issues, which can be messy at the best of times. One of my other concerns is that most people are too busy trying to just hold life together to even try to keep track of the big picture realities; we get so caught up in the specifics of any given time frame. We need to hold these in some kind of working tension.
I heard a comment recently that grabbed my attention. The gist of the comment was that we are living in a time when we are in a crisis of confidence. Everything has become so relative it is as if we are adrift, lost and grasping for a port at which we can anchor ourselves and our lives.
I do not have it all figured out. I do, however, know that I have been working at trying to figure out what I believe for decades. I grew up in an upside down world. I know the power of perceptual realities that betray and deceive us away from healthier norms. I know my own personal process of flipping a perceptual world to something more in keeping with what I believe is healthier. I am not afraid of the responsibility of trying to hold both the specific and the big picture in some kind of tension.
Hence, this blog! In the days and weeks to come I hope to add my voice to either the dialog or debate. I am concerned that my generation's anxious society has become this generation's narcissistic
society, which in turn is giving rise to pockets of anarchy/lawlessness around the world. Where will all of this take us in the future? Are you confident regarding what you believe is normal, healthy and true or are you adrift? Think about it? Perhaps you would like to come along on a regular or an
occasional basis.
Until next time . . . this is, Just Janice!
"AVOIDING 'THE LUCIFER SYNDROM'"
We all know that things are not always what they appear to be and yet we buy into that thinking and hope. It is almost as if we are desperately searching for somewhere to anchor the desire that they actually be whatever they appear or advertise themselves to be. This search has become increasingly powerful in the shadow of all the "isms" of the twentieth century and the face of a steady stream of exposures and scandals.
This is true on all levels of society and around the world. Even the most venerated institutions that have formed the bedrock of many societies have fallen to scandal, leaving voids of distrust and anxiety. We do not like "playing the fool," misplacing our trust. It shames and angers us! That's the reference in the old saying, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Integral to playing the fool is being deceived. It happens to all of us. There is no healthy fool-proof way to defend against it 100% of the time. We are limited, finite human beings vulnerable to being deceived and playing the fool.
Being deceived can happen very quickly or over a long period of time. It happens on both an individual basis and in societies throughout the world. One of my growing concerns is that on an ever-increasing basis what used to occur on more of an individual basis is rapidly becoming more of a societal and world experience. When this occurs norms will invariably shift either very quickly or slowly over time. The world of electronics and social media are accelerating this pace around the globe.
Every generation bears witness to both progressive and degenerative realities in their lifetime. We usually enjoy or try to keep up with the progressive elements while silently mourning or longing for that which has been lost or left behind. We embrace some elements while resisting others. This is inevitable. For example, many of the scientific advances of our day are incredibly progressive and life-giving while at the same time creating and leaving moral and ethical dilemmas in their wake that societies cannot even begin to resolve before the scientific community is on to the next discovery.
Again, this will always be true!
So how do we even begin to attend to these realities and navigate our way through them in a way that is healthy rather than conflicted and confused at every turn? Is there a way we can be certain in the midst of uncertainties, constant in the face of the inconstancy and consistent in the face of inconsistencies?
One of my concerns is that most people simply go with the flow until something forces them to engage in a conscious intentional process of trying to think through the issues, which can be messy at the best of times. One of my other concerns is that most people are too busy trying to just hold life together to even try to keep track of the big picture realities; we get so caught up in the specifics of any given time frame. We need to hold these in some kind of working tension.
I heard a comment recently that grabbed my attention. The gist of the comment was that we are living in a time when we are in a crisis of confidence. Everything has become so relative it is as if we are adrift, lost and grasping for a port at which we can anchor ourselves and our lives.
I do not have it all figured out. I do, however, know that I have been working at trying to figure out what I believe for decades. I grew up in an upside down world. I know the power of perceptual realities that betray and deceive us away from healthier norms. I know my own personal process of flipping a perceptual world to something more in keeping with what I believe is healthier. I am not afraid of the responsibility of trying to hold both the specific and the big picture in some kind of tension.
Hence, this blog! In the days and weeks to come I hope to add my voice to either the dialog or debate. I am concerned that my generation's anxious society has become this generation's narcissistic
society, which in turn is giving rise to pockets of anarchy/lawlessness around the world. Where will all of this take us in the future? Are you confident regarding what you believe is normal, healthy and true or are you adrift? Think about it? Perhaps you would like to come along on a regular or an
occasional basis.
Until next time . . . this is, Just Janice!
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