Dear LS members, "Power" is not only an ambiguous word, but multi-dimensonal. This forum is testament to that. (1)There's the connotative approach: "power" ---'bad'; "empowering" --- 'good'. (2) a physics-structured use of the word, or 'rate at which work is done'. (3) There's (my personal favorite) some similarities between "power" and Pirsig's "gumption" (4) and then there are plenty of words that have branched from this topic -- "energy"; "work"; "war"; "peace"; "potential"; "cooperation"; "competition"...... Without sounding too mystical (versus philosophical --- it IS, after all, a METAPHYSICS), EVERYONE has power...... the power to change, the power to behave morally, to evolve. Morality, change, Zen -- these are all inner concepts..... hmmmmm...........ahhhhh.............. Jason -----Original Message----- From: Jonathan B. Marder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 7:10 PM Subject: Re: LS Power and the MOQ >Hi LilaQs, > This is long overdue, but I must respond to Charles' comments on the >definition of "power", and make what I hope will be a worthwhile >contribution to summing up the months topic. > >-----Original Message----- >From: Bretana, Charles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Tue, 13 April 1999 02:41 >Subject: RE: LS Power and the MOQ > > >> From a technical perspective (Original use of these words), every >one of >>you examples of the use of the word Power is really a use of the >concept >>Energy. >[snip] >> Power, on the other hand is the "Rate" at which work is done..... > >This is technically correct, but the word POWER considerably predates >the rigorous definition in modern physics. If you go back just a couple >of hundred years, you will see that even scientists were using words >like force and power interchangeably. > >Nevertheless, the "rate of energy release" definition that Charles wants >us to use is extremely useful in our debate. >DQ, defined as potential suggests a driving force. Power implies the >(rapid) realization of the potential. > >Weakness stems from the absence of potential, or from the inability to >realize potential. >The attribute of Power stems from a capacity for REALization - >(consistent with both physics and the MoQ). > > >Thus, the MoQ is a powerful metaphysics if it allows us to realize >things that were previously impervious. > >Jonathan > > > > > > >MOQ Online - http://www.moq.org MOQ Online - http://www.moq.org
