Hi Steve --
I'm considering reading your thesis. I was wondering
if you could very briefly summarize a few things about
Essentialism first.
So you want the cart before the horse ;-). I suppose if I'd written a
murder mystery, you'd want to know who the villain was before reading the
story. I'll answer your questions in advance only because I need to get
more exposure to this site.
What is truth?
Truth is a principle or axiom that works empirically, that is, within a
relational system. Logic, mathematics, and the laws of nature have been
validated as reliable by universal consensus and are generally regarded as
truths until they are proved false. Absolute Truth is inaccessible to human
beings and its knowledge would invalidate the freedom to choose.
What is moral?
Morality is a set of behavioral rules established by man in order to survive
and flourish in a collective society. The basis for moral conduct is human
value which, because it varies from one individual to another, must be
arrived at by consensus. In most civilized societies, individual freedom,
fairness or justice, honesty, reverence or respect for human life, ethical
practices, and the enhancement of well-being are regarded as moral.
What is real?
Like Truth, which is either empirical or absolute, Reality also takes two
forms. The existential reality that we experience and depend on as finite
creatures is provisional.
It is the appearance of diversity and change framed within the dimensions of
time and space and intellectualized to operate by the principle of
cause-and-effect. Every event is assumed to be the effect of some prior
cause, except for the first cause which is inexplicable. Ultimate
reality--absolute truth--is an unknown to man who can only sense its value.
The challenge of philosophy (and particularly metaphysics) is to explain
this mystery in terms that relate to existential experience.
How do we come to know what is real, true, and moral?
Since we cannot know anything for a certainty, we learn from experience and
by constantly testing the results of that learning. What we can't learn
from experience must either be gleaned through intuitive reasoning or
accepted at face value from an external authority. Some claim spiritual
enlightenment as their authority, while others cling to the teachings of
prophets or religious dogma. Ultimately, it is the individual who must
discover the meaning and purpose of his own life-experience. A person who
lives his life in the quest for truth is more likely to arrive at a belief
system that is sufficient to earn his conviction.
I trust that these answers pass your "vetting" test, and that you will
shortly be exploring my thesis. It consists of six sections, the first of
which "The Mechanical Garden" is essentially an introduction. The entire
thesis is one long page and should take no longer than a couple of hours to
read. I suggest that you begin with Section 2 "Experience"
http://www.essentialism.net/mechanic.htm#reflect , and make generous use of
the Glossary of Terms at the end of the page.
Thanks for the consideration, and happy reading. I'll be available to steer
you through the troublesome parts, or you can question me off-line.
Essentially yours,
Ham
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