From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Fri Nov 12 2004 - 20:45:17 GMT
Hi Ham,
Physicist Paul Davies wrote:
> > "The universe looks as if it is unfolding according to some plan or
> > blueprint. The input is the cosmic initial conditions, and the output is
> > organized complexity, or depth. The essential feature is that something
> > of value emerges as the result of processing according to some ingenious
> > pre-existing set of rules. These rules look as if they are the product
> > of intelligent design. My own inclination is to suppose that qualities
> > such as ingenuity, economy, beauty, and so on have a genuine transcendent
> > reality -- they are not merely the product of human experience -- and
> > that these qualities are reflected in the structure of the natural
> > world."
Ham:
> That's very well stated, and isn't it interesting the he has used the terms
> "essential feature", "intelligent design", "transcendent reality", and
> "something of value" in this brief summation?
Hadn't noticed, but your right. Thanks for pointing that out.
Ham:
> Man is a rational organic system in a reality that is essentially
> non-rational. Reality encompasses him, but he cannot encompass reality.
> All he can do is structure it in terms of his own rationality. This for
> him is truth, and it suffices to get him through the organic process that
> he calls life. The philospher wants something more. He seeks to liberate
> his thinking from its rational bonds, but he lacks the necessary tools.
> Only the mystic, it would seem, has the wisdom to transcend rationality and
> reach a higher truth.
Your summation is just as insightful and pithy as Davies's. Wonderful.
> > Would you be amenable to the notion that your undifferentiated "essence"
> > is the source of those transcendent qualities of which Mr. Davies and Mr.
> > Pirsig speak?
>
> Absolutely!
Great. Nice to know we're on the same page in this regard.
Best,
Platt
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