Part 4.
METAPHYSICS :
The Paradigms of Reality
"The Spirits
Warn You Twice,
The Third Time You Stand Alone"
.......................Native American
" Sometime in the last
ten years the best brains of the Occident
discovered to their amazement that we live in an Environment.
This discovery has been forced on us by the realization that we
are approaching the limits of something".....Gary Snyder
"Human beings cannot take much of reality".....T. S. Eliot
This section is an exploration into Reality, or rather the paradigms
of Reality, the finding of the place and space of an individual,
society and culture in the general overall context of the Universe,
and particularly, in the context of this world.
This section is further sub-divided into six sub-parts :
1. Metaphysics, What is it for ? ( This Page )
2.Social and Cultural Structures and Constructs
3.Religions : The Rise and Fall of Monotheism
5. Metaphysics of a Being
6. The Synthesis and Conclusion
What is Metaphysics ?
"It would be possible
to describe everything scientifically, but it would make
no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described a Beethoven
symphony as a variation of wave pressure." ...................Albert Einstein
Metaphysics is an attempt to comprehend the nature of Reality, by a coherent
description or model of what is Reality, its various elements or components,
their properties, attributes and relationships, the limitations of the model,
its applicability or pragmatic use etc.
This term is a western philosophical term
that apparently signifies a study of
what underlies all of Reality, but there is no consensus about what exactly
this term refers to, that is, what field of human endeavor does this come
under or over : philosophy, religion, science, art etc.
If metaphysics is accepted here as a term referring to description, words,
statements, models of reality, then it should be clear that every adult
human being today "has a metaphysics" in the sense that everyone
makes statements about what is real and what is not, even a mystic
who typically makes a statement that reality cannot be described.
Obviously the mystic is making a correct statement from his own point
of view that whatever he experiences about reality or what is real,
he himself is unable to describe because he lacks the ability or the
linguistic talent to do so. But the mistake that the mystic makes is
that he does not acknowledge his own lack of ability, but rather
insists that no one has the ability, or can have this ability.
The mystic does not believe in the value of self-expression and human
communication, human diversity and human capabilities. For the mystic
the only worthy human endeavor is the experience of "ultimate reality".
On the other extreme scientists also make statements about reality, but
do not call that metaphysics, but science itself, and assume that all reality
is describable by fundamental equations.
This term is now widely used in many different contexts, the main context
in which it is used here is in terms of the study or analysis of non-physical
Reality, the physical aspect of which has already been analysed fairly com-
prehensively by Scientists in their domain of the Physical Sciences to such
an extent that it is now generally believed and taught almost religiously
that there is no Reality beyond the Physical. And anything beyond which
cannot be repeatedly physically verified by all eminent scientists at any
place and time of their choosing, is classified as imaginary or
psychological.
The underlying assumption here therefore is that Reality is not all
physical. And if someone is uncomfortable with this assumption,
then I suppose the right place for them is a university or laboratory
where there are meticulous procedures for studying Reality or at
least, Physical Reality.
It is worth mentioning here that another kind of metaphysics has
at its core assumption that all of Reality consists of only a sort of
"energy" or "flux" and that "matter" or the physical is only one of
the manifestations of this energy. This kind of metaphysics is not
incompatible with this work, since the underlying basis of this
metaphysics is the same - the assumption that Reality is not
purely Physical.
The only metaphysics that is incompatible with this work is that
in which the underlying assumption is that the empirical world
(physical) is all of existence, there being nothing existing beyond
the sense observed physical universe, for with this core assumption
we are then in the domain of physical sciences which have so far
failed to demonstrate a coherent model of Reality.
On the other extreme of religion, metaphysics is a closed chapter, the
predominant view being that "revelations" about reality have all been
made to the founders of that particular religion, and since these revel-
-ations are considered to be the last and final word ( having come
straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak ), there is nothing else left
except to follow the commandments laid out. Metaphysics is not an open
field but restricted to a few absolute sounding concepts like "soul" or
"ultimate" or "eternal", and statements about these are not to be
subjected to interpretation or analysis, and especially so by the non-
believers of that religion.
At the very extreme are mystics who proclaim that reality is beyond
any description, and nothing can be said about reality, and then in the
same breath proceed to describe it as "pure", "mystical", "ultimate",
"God", "truth", "the One", "everything", "nothing", "non-duality",
"undifferentiated", "formless", "love", "beauty", Etc etc. Depending
upon the cultural ( !) background of the mystic, usually one word
becomes the favourite and all other words are "illusions", or
not the "true".
As far as the mystics are concerned, metaphysics is merely speculation
about reality by people of lesser level of mystical evolution, and that
once a mystical union is attained with ultimate reality, all metaphysics
ceases, and in any case metaphysics is not the way towards ultimate
reality, but rather away from it.
In the philosophical domain, both eastern and western philosophies
talk in terms of metaphysical entities as absolute, and not as a working
construct derived from their social, cultural upbringing or as a result
of their own experiences. Even after insisting that "ultimate reality"
or the absolute or the essence of reality cannot be talked about and
so cannot be put into words, a whole lot is then expounded about it,
and a large set of teachings are propounded.
Such meaningless contradictions arise only because of their ignorance
of human nature and their own desires to seek agreement for their
ideas about "ultimate reality".
The Domain of Metaphysics
In this work, however, metaphysics is given importance because in
this work "ultimate reality" is not the focus, but "current reality" and
its linear, pragmatic application for a human being towards an
efficient, coherent, meaningful and moral existence.
"As far as the laws of
Mathematics refer to reality, they are not
certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."
..................Albert Einstein.
In the context of the individual, any model of reality should
be such that most explorative individuals can relate to in
such a way that it has interpretive value for individual
experiences.
In a social context, a metaphysics must be able to integrate
and communicate across various cultures, rather than
become a tool for domination.
For both these purposes, a metaphysics in its core must
emphasise that it is individuals who have to seek or create
communicable entities, for these cannot be imposed upon,
and so there has to be an artistic emphasis in any meta-
physics apart from a basic understanding. Therefore no
terms, concepts and beliefs should imply definiteness, or
rather certainty, nor should these be so vague as to be
clouded in hazy mysticism.
Any Metaphysics must have an explanatory power about the
basic purpose of life and specially human existence, the
relationship between past human actions with the present
and more importantly about the consequences of human
actions upon the unfolding future of the world.
While the primacy of personal experience is stressed here
as undisputedly essential and real, it is equally important
to interpret experiences meaningfully, since the overall
social reality of the world is shaped by our expressed
and shared interpretations ( metaphysics ) of what is
real, and what is fake or deceptive.
The stress in a discourse on metaphysics should not be on
expression of exotic experiences, but rather upon those
expressions that provide for a meaningful co-relationship
between diverse beings and societies.
"The essence of Deep Ecology is to ask deeper questions...
Obviously, an effective metaphysics cannot be limited
to only a very few exclusive words that satisfies only
the constructor of the metaphysics and a few of his
cronies. Consequently, all monism's must be excluded
from such an exercise as being no metaphysics at all.
If only one entity ( or a word or concept about that
entity) is to be solely considered as all of reality, then
there is nothing to understand or explain. Everything
is just this "one" and nothing else and so we come
to a full stop. Similarly, even a simple duality of two
elements is useless in itself, unless it can be clearly
shown how these relate to the human situation.
And since the human situation is not such a simple
affair, a few terms unrelated to fundamental human
concerns is no metaphysics either.
That metaphysics has wide applicability and significance
which can make use of a common language, using simple
words, that not only triggers experiences, but also how
to usefully interpret those experiences in a quest for the
real. Thus a coherent metaphysics should be able to
successfully assault the decadent intellectual construct
of most societies, so that fresh ideas can sprout.
" Nothing influences
our conduct less than do intellectual ideas.
But when an idea is the expression of psychic experience which
bears fruit in regions as far separated and as free from historical
relations as East and West, then we must look into the matter
closely. For such ideas represent forces that are beyond logical
justification and moral sanction ; they are always stronger than
man and his brain. Man believes indeed that he moulds these
ideas, but in reality they mould him and make him their
unwitting mouthpiece." .....C. G. Jung
Anyhow, the purpose here is to present a model of Reality that is
coherent and pragmatic. This model has been composited or is a
synthesis of various metaphysics from across the globe so that the
reader gets a comprehensive and cross-cultural Reality paradigm.
Naturally, various religions and their development is taken up
along with other fields of human understanding like various
philosophies/metaphysics/cultural constructs and specifically what
has been the focusing points are the key beliefs of various cultures
that had and are having a fundamental and lasting impact
upon their societies.
I'm slowly becoming a
convert to the principle that you can't motivate
people to do things, you can only demotivate them. The primary job of
the manager is not to empower but to remove obstacles...Scott Adams
Of particular interest to an explorer should be the observation that
all cultures are stuck in certain key beliefs that are almost considered
sacred and even the very thought of critically examining these beliefs are
taboo. The people in these cultural clusters are oblivious and ignorant
of the devastating consequences of this stuckness, despite the fact that
many people feel intuitively that their societies are degenerating
and disintegrating.
"The
assumption must be that those who can see value only in
tradition, or versions of it, deny man's ability to adapt to changing
circumstances".............Stephen Bayley
The solution is painful and only ruthless analysis and action that cuts into
the core operating beliefs to weed out the junk appears to be the only
path out of this morass. But where is the will ?
Apathy will only lead to destruction.
And destruction is the inevitable and last resort of nature to
rid itself of her creatures that have become inanimate, to be
free to start all over again.
"There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success,
What is it for ?
Metaphysics, or models of reality are probes sent into the
unknown by the pioneers and explorers of reality in order
to find out what is real and to unmask the fake or unreal :
not only for their own pragmatic goals but also to aid
their fellow beings.
A metaphysical model can be not only in the form of a
construct of related concepts, but also in the form of
a story, a poetry, or any art form. A good metaphysics
is an expression of inner intent that has value for the
future, as well as freedom from the misdeeds of the
past.
"One has only to look at the inadequacies of Man's treatment of Man, and see
how far we must go if we are to survive as a progressing species with better
control of our battling
animalistic superstitious levels".....Dr John C lilly
Metaphysics is for the study of the history of the human mind,
the lessons to be learnt from the developments and downfalls
of societies and cultures, and what an individual can hope to
learn from all this. The application of Metaphysics is therefore
not only for an individual, but also for its application in the
development of a society.
In the past, people sought experiences that would get them in touch with
the entities that helped them or were presumed to be in control of life and
death. From these arose myths and religion. Today that approach will only
lead to further disasters. The only way forward is to take responsibility for
the past and to assume that each one of us is the creator or maker of
whatever situation or circumstances that confronts us, and to make amends
to our past faults. This requires a successful analysis of the past and its
lasting effects upon the present, and if not properly accounted for, its
consequences for the future. Only then can we use imagination to create a
better future, else the past will continue to consume all our remaining
energy and Will. If we fail to properly account for the past, the future
is already closed to us.
History is
nothing more than a picture of crimes and
misfortunes. The
History of many places is much like reading a history of
highway robbers.
I hope that a way out might lie in applying
philosophy to history, and
endeavoring to trace, beneath the flux of political events, the history of the
human mind.
In all nations, history is disfigured by fable, till
at last philosophy comes to
enlighten man ; and when it does finally arrive in the midst of this darkness, it
finds the human mind so blinded by centuries
of error, that it can hardly
undeceive it ; it finds ceremonies, ( rituals ) facts and monuments,
heaped up
to prove lies.
History is after all nothing but a pack of tricks which we play
upon the dead.
........ Voltaire
The core of the thesis in the subsequent articles is as follows :
Metaphysics, or a basic understanding of Reality, and not Science
or even Religion can possibly be a common ground for diverse
cultures to co-exist, but only such a Metaphysics that has social
and political applicability.
Thus the social role of such a Metaphysics should be :
1. To enlighten mankind about the need for a basic respect and
caring for the environment, the Earth, and Nature's balance as part
of the core education of every individual. Particularly the balance
between humans and the rest of life forms.
"As a whole part
of "psychological education" it needs to be remembered
that a neurosis can be valuable; also that "adjustment" to a sick and
insane environment is of itself not "health" but sickness and insanity."
............James Agee
2. To provide for a drive to root out social, cultural malaises and
justifications for exploitation, inefficiency and waste.
"There are
obviously two educations. One should teach us how to
make a living and the other how to live"......James Truslow Adams
3. To promote a drive for individual excellence by having an elementary
respect for individual differences and individual freedom.
4. To develop the qualities of leadership in exceptionally gifted
individuals, who can then provide direction to diverse, autonomous
social units, that compete with each other not in warcraft but in
creative activities like art, and even technology.
The above criterion appears to be utopian and idealistic, but then that
should be the ultimate human challenge. And unless we dream of a
better world, there can be no better world. A Metaphysics that
only leads to acceptance of things as they are as perfect, will only
promote indifference, uncaring and amoral attitudes, a sure
recipe for degeneration and destruction. Not learning from
our past mistakes, or to insist that there is nothing to learn,
is to make human life meaningless.
Finally, any metaphysics is only as good as it generates or regenerates
the vitality of mankind, and forces actions where actions are not only
required, but also necessary. A metaphysics is dead if it fails to
produce a regenerating and sustained response that calls for action.
The failure of a metaphysics is indicated by its key concepts becoming
empty symbols that are repeatedly evoked in a ritualistic manner
that increasingly resembles those of a religion or cult. At its worst
these become tools in the hands of oppressors and tyrants.
History is full to the brim with examples of what started as a
metaphysical idea or expression and ending up in religion and
eventually the political philosophy of a society or culture that
was then used mostly to dominate and suppress.
Any metaphysics and a thought or philosophy derived from it must
be able to analyse history in a way that it throws light upon the
historical process of human errors and failings, and not dismiss
these or treat these as inevitable cosmic dances and cycles, for
that way lies disaster.
With these as starting premises, the following articles go into
details of the social, cultural paradigms to try to figure out what
options we are left with :
2.Social and Cultural Structures and Constructs
3.Religions : The Rise and Fall of Monotheism
5. Metaphysics of a Being
6. The Synthesis and Conclusion