The 21st Century Philosopher

The Crossroad

2016-09-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

History is our greatest teacher…it will patiently repeat itself until we learn the lesson it intends to teach us…

…until that day we will find ourselves walking the circular path that takes us back to this place where we again have the choice to choose our direction…

The crossroad a place referenced, one way or another, throughout literature. It is the place of choice for an individual or for a society. It is that point in time when two opposing factions are vying for control and the individual or society must opt for one or the other.

This is not a new situation and was contemplated by Socrates and many that followed. Philosophy and its pursuit of continually advancing wisdom and social intelligence or anarchy and terrorism, again, stand at crossroad of humanity.

I was fortunate to have attended a very progressive public high school, that had in its curriculum a philosophy course. It was taught by a dedicated instructor that to this day remains my most influential instructor. This class and the instructor set my path in life and my first college degree was in Philosophy and I have continued for the next 45 years a student and teacher of philosophy.

One cannot be immersed in historical philosophy, and personally committed to the philosopher’s life for an extended period of time without their creating their own. Mine has been labeled “Quantum Obligation.” Although it is extensive and rhetorical, the “bottom-line” is that we are obligated, as human beings, to leave every moment, (quanta), better, for our having been allowed to be a part of it.

This leads to the purpose of this brief article. At the risk of sounding like Socrates, we are at the crossroad and our choice is to abdicate to social degradation and its use of fear and dissention or the pursuit of living in the philosophical pursuit and subsequent advancement of actions and behaviors that improve the world around us…or at least the part of our world that matters.

We have allowed terrorism to wedge into our lives. Not just the blatant terrorism of sects of society that seek the degradation of society through fear and suffering, but also through individual terroristic behaviors, such as, social dissent, individual aggressive behaviors, threats, gangs, organized crime, and so on.

This choice is real and not unlike the threats (choice)afforded many societies in our past. Sadly, we find ourselves, again, at this crossroad. This begs the question, “if this is history repeating itself, what lesson does it intend to teach humanity?”

The answer may simply be “societal commitment.” For short periods of time, individual societies held the pursuit of philosophy and the benefits of open discourse as the preferred mode of operation. Each time the society advances to a point of lethargy and apathy. Societies then allow social degradation, a foothold and ultimately destroy the advancements afforded through its philosophical pursuits.

How does society stop walking this vicious circle?

It may be as simple as an ineffaceable commitment to renewing its pursuit of philosophical advancement with a simultaneous resistance to the tools and ploys of terrorism, hoodlumism, and gang mentality. Individuals and society must see that its tolerance of any behavior not in a philosophical stream is the subtle drug that diverts them to the path that leads them back to the crossroads. We must act accordingly and strive to avert repeating history’s lesson.

What America Needs...

2012-04-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

I am not romanticizing the past or even attempting to be specifically prescriptive...

I am editorializing today,,,rather than philosophizing!

YET...from a philosophical viewpoint...

I have been thinking about the needs of our society...

The list is long...too long to waste yours or my time...

As I worked to organize and reduce the list to the "vital few" worth writing about, my mind wandered to a time is the US' past that was VERY turbulent yet the participants made major strides in improving our society...

The 1960's and 1970's!

A time of hippies...and Jesus Freaks...and Mother Earth'ers...and War Activists...and Segregation Fighters...

Nearly everyone who was anybody had a cause and fought diligently for it!

It was a time of LOVE and PASSION...

It was a time of great unrest!

It was a time of change...

and CHANGE we did!

and then we resumed a life of comfort and apathy...

Just like the people that we criticized and fought!

It was a time of thinking!

It was a time of soul-searching...

We knew what we needed and we worked diligently to achieve it!

There are few activists today, in the public...of the caliber that arose in the 1960's and 1970's...

They are here...but they are not doing what the past's change agents did!

What America needs is for those people to arise...

What America needs is for those, who were passionate "back in the day" to come out of their comfortable retirements and apathy...with all of the passion that they once had...and rekindle...NO...Set ablaze the fires of change!

We are living with a lot of accumulated baggage...much of it is worthless trash...

We need to dance around the bonfires of change... discarding the stuff that got us to this place and use the ashes of change as the nutrients from which a better world can arise...

We believed that back then...WE believed that we could make a difference...AND WE DID!

America needs us...to come back in the power and love that we had back then...

Quantum Obligation – Freedom and Liberty

2011-05-15T04:35:00.000-07:00

Please remember that this is "rough." Rather than wasting time "word smithing" I want to put this out to the community...I welcome your comments and edits (which you can do at the end of this blog).

If you wish to be notified of each "post" I am doing so through my Twitter account 21stPhilosophy The Logo is a Tesseract). If you follow that account (there is a "follow me" button lower down in this post on the right-hand side), you will receive update announcements through the hashtag #QuantumObligation.

The foundation of Quantum Obligation (QO) lies in an individual’s obligation to leave (exit or finish) every moment (or event) better for having been a participant.

The question as arisen as to QO’s interference with individual freedom and liberty.

Although it may appear semantic in nature, both the apparent contradictions and answer lies in the use of the word "obligation."

Prior to addressing use and placement of that particular term, it is necessary to understand the QO perspective of "Liberty and Freedom."

Liberty is simply lack of oppressive restrictions imposed by an external authority.

Freedom is the absence of coercion or constraint in one's exercise of choices.

Although both may seem point to the same aspect, Liberty is global (societal) in nature, while Freedom is individualistic.

This takes us to the first important aspect of QO.

QO’s perspective on Freedom and Liberty is not unique or revolutionary!

From the QO perspective, the "Right to Choose" is not guided by external entities, but driven from within the individual. The "minimum standard" is external to the individual...yet the desire of a QO adherent to exceed "minimum standards" and perform to higher standards is internally driven...for no other reason than personal obligation...

It actually follows the logic found in Socratic/Platonic philosophy, i.e. “we are only free to do the good.” QO takes this logic and places the right or obligation at the lowest level possible (i.e the Q moment or event).

Let us look at an example...

For the past five decades, society has been deluded into following self-serving “pseudo” philosophies using such terms as “to each…their own” or “to thine own self be true” or “do your own thing” or “the me generation.” The list is endless. In part this philosophy is correct. However a fatal flaw exists.

The fallacy of this belief is that individuals have the right to define success.

Many argue that success is an intangible perspective and therefore defined by the individual. To me, this argument can best be described as "the fox guarding the hen house.” In order for success to be meaningful and of any value, the standard of performance must go beyond the criteria of the individual.

Although some individuals are capable of establishing appropriate standards of success, most individuals that adhere to a self-serving philosophy will establish standards that are easily achieved. Only fools would set standards of performance for themselves that were difficult to impossible to achieve!

It follows that an externally exceeding an established standard is what defines success.

Let's entertain a simple example. Mother Teresa’s standard of performance (expected by society) was that of a nun. Her exceeding the minimum standard made her a recognized success.

It must be noted that an interesting concept does exist...as long as Mother Teresa's personal standard of performance exceeded the minimum expected standard, she could perform by her standard. If her standards and subsequent performance fell below minimum expected standards, she abdicates her right to decide...

In other words, Freedom to act does not extend to an individual’s right not to meet minimum standards. Because minimum standards are external to the individual, minimum performance can not occur without recourse. I call this, "cause and effect recourse." The recourse may be inconsequential, depending upon the true impact to the source of external standard. Even no recourse is considered a recourse...there is always recourse...

In other words...the "minimum standards" define what is good and proper. If individuals meet or exceeds the minimum standards, they have full liberty and freedom to act. Thus... an individual's freedom begins when they meet "minimum standards." The decision or inability to meet "minimum standards" is an abdication of liberty and freedom. One can not decide not to meet obligations and expect liberty and freedom.

Liberty and Freedom is NOT an entitlement, it is an expectation of the citizens of the moment or event.

Although individuals are free and given full liberty to choose to do less than the minimum required (free to do "bad")...this is however not without consequence...

Freedom and liberty is only accorded to those who meet minimum expectations (the good). As Plato/Socrates held...people are only free (afforded freedom) when they meet and exceed expectations.

That is why QO holds that ...we are obligated to leave every moment (event) better for our having been a participant...

Quantum Obligation and The Random Event

2011-04-22T06:05:00.000-07:00

Please remember that this is "rough." Rather than wasting time "word smithing" I want to put this out to the community...I welcome your comments (which you can do at the end of this blog).

If you wish to be notified of each "post" I am doing so through my Twitter account 21stPhilosophy The Logo is a Tesseract). If you follow that account (there is a "follow me" button lower down in this post on the right-hand side), you will receive update announcements through the hashtag #QuantumObligation.

Quantum Obligation is an interesting philosophical concept. At this point in its explanation, there is a need to tie physics and mathematics (statistics) into it.

The question at this point is...

Does man have "free will" or the ability to choose?

Free will ultimately rests on the assumption that "randomness" exists...

At this point physics needs to to be interjected...

In Quantum Obligation...There was one and only one random event...that being "the BIG BANG."

This was (is) the moment at which existence changed from a singularity to three dimensions.

Prior to that moment, there was (is) an infinite number of possibilities afforded...all of them had an equal chance of occurring...(Random existed)...

After that instance when the first two quanta moved outward in specific directions, that entire universe was established...with no other possibilities possible...

This means that every event...every grain of sand...the location of the earth in the universe...even the nature of "Pi" (this is another blog) could be explained through a regression equation...that by necessity would trace back to the "BIG BANG."

If the regression equation was sufficiently comprehensive, anything can be predicted with 100% accuracy...

What about a "coin toss?" one may ask...

(NOTE: I used this example for its simplicity, but this could be applied to any event)

On outward appearance that event of series of events appears "random" meaning that the chances of a coin landing on heads or tails is virtually equal...

I contend that with sufficient information, each individual event could be predicted...that is one of my epiphanies of the utter obvious!

If we could take the time to measure the exact mass, the starting position of the coin, the toss forces and location, the resistive forces on the coin, gravitational fluctuations, minute shifts in the mass of the coin (due to atomic motion), etc., we could, with absolute certainty predict heads of tails.

Let's dive a bit deeper...

With a long enough regression equation, we could predict that (or at least) describe the very existence of each atom in the coin...and how they traveled from the singularity...through first generation stars and became metals...and then the star went nova...and the materials traveled across the universe to the earth...and we concentrated and shaped into the coin that is perched on one's thumb, ready for the toss...

You get the picture...

It can all be explained...thus it was determined at the moment of change from the singularity...

This takes randomness out of the three dimensional world...

If there is no randomness...then there is no free will...

An interesting dilemma occurs at this point...

One may contend that if there is no free will...then there is no choice...what happens...will happen and "we" have no control...

Quantum Obligation requires choice...which brings an event from the possible world into existence.

Choice is the act of creation (not unlike the BIG BANG!)

An individual must choose (even though it could be fully explained and is therefore not a choice)...in order to fulfill the event.

Any choice (even the choice not to act) can be explained. Yet it is choice that is the critical component of Quantum obligation.

This appears circular, but I believe that it is not.

The bottom line...

Randomness existed at the moment prior to the BIG BANG...

At the moment of change from a singularity...randomness ceased to exist and all events were established.

Logically...free will does not exist...

Choice however still exists as an event and a precursor to the quantum event or a component of the event itself, even though the choice is predetermined...

The existence of freewill is of little or no importance to Quantum Obligation...the exercise of choice is...

Thoughts?

Quantum Obligation

2011-04-17T05:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last post. I will not waste time writing frivolous prose or ideas that lack meaning and impact.

This area is entirely devoted to words and thoughts that "...make a difference..."

A while back I began my trek to compile the essential elements of the 21st century philosophy. Those foundational precepts that when followed while aid in making this world better...(isn't this the role of a philosopher?)

I am uniquely blessed with a few individuals that exchange thoughts with me on a daily basis, challenge my position and (in their own way) guide this foundational path...

One such discussion has grown into a comprehensive philosophy...I call it "Quantum Obligation."

Although on outward appearance it may seem new...it has its DNA deeply rooted in the concepts of social obligation, existentialism and believe it or not hedonism!

The 21st century is so "me" oriented that all but a rare few individuals are looking much higher (on Maslow's hierarchy) than the survival level...What I am saying is...the human race is finding itself in a survival mode (whether they realize it or not). Believing that they are consistently at a higher level is self-deception.

There are no "grand unification" philosophies! Each "scheme" relates to a segment of the human society. The prevalent philosophy is simply that which appeals to the largest group.

Quantum Obligation does not fall into this category...yet...

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What is Quantum Obligation?

Simply stated...it is the responsibility to leave every "moment" (Quanta), at minimum, unscathed or better, for one's having been a participant in it.

In order for our species to survive we must realize that our futures are a sum total of the past and present moments.

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What is a moment?

The single most important "word" within this philosophy is "moment."

A "moment" is not a fixed point in time. It is an event with a specific entry point and exit point. It is better described as an event. Some moments may last milliseconds...while others may last a lifetime.

A moment is a period of time in which the individual takes (receives) something and returns something, in exchange for being there. It is a transaction...with an external investment, an internal benefit and a return to the investor for the initial investment...

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A real life example...or two...

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Stay Tuned!

The Fatal Flaw within "For-Profit" Education

2011-01-02T10:39:00.000-08:00

A while back I read an obscure blog, in which the writer that projected that 2 years from then (about a year from now) the dust will settle and only 5 or so post secondary, "for-profit" schools will be left standing! The writer did not wager who they would be although the article did mention that it would probably not be those who are the major players today. The reason that he gave was that they have dug themselves too deep into the "profit" side of the equation...rather than focusing on the benefits that privatization education (capitalizing) could produce...

He called "for profit" the current Great American Experiment...

I personally liked that reference because when one experiments they are looking for certain results under a specific set of circumstances...and uses the experiment to ferret out previously unknown weaknesses in the initial assumptions. If the experiment is important enough...adjustments to the assumptions are made...and the value of the overall effort reassessed...if the value derived is sufficient, then the experiment continues...if not,,,it ceases...

Another thing that intrigued me about the blog was that...although it seemed like pure conjecture...it had some excellent data behind it and rather than simple conjecture...it was more like "data-backed prophecy!"

The sad thing is that the blog was quite accurate.

I have tried in vain to relocate it and write a comment related to my retraction of my skeptical, but unspoken opinion of it...when I first read it! I suggested that the current institutions were too big and important to kill! I was wrong! The customers (students and taxpayers) have seemingly had enough and admissions rates are dropping drastically (as he projected)...only those who truly meet their needs are going to survive...

This leads to an interesting (and deeper) thought that I have pondered for some time...

Our educational system (especially the for-profit sector) was given an opportunity to quantum leap above the rest of the world...and it instead it got distracted, greedy, focused on profits and may now be unable to rise above that tide. This is exactly what was referenced by too much focus on the "for profit" side of the equation rather than on the "education" side...

One company that I worked for in the past, embedded the following axiom in the brains of its employees..."focus on the customer and the money will follow..." "For Profit" education should take a lesson from them. This company remains at the top of the Fortune 100 because of this philosophy...and seldom does their profits dwindle...

One of the issues that caused this was the neglect to accurately identify all of the customers and focus on the REAL needs and demands...Students and Stockholders are just the beginning...and there are many more powerful customers that have been totally neglected...

"Easy (low-risk) Money" filled the pockets of many "for profit" executives...with hard-earned taxpayer monies...what little savings the students had...

This growth bolstered their self perceptions of infallibility...and contributed to their misdirection...

That is sad...they are like a child gone wrong! They had so much potential...

Where did we go wrong?

What was the fatal flaw?

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I have been reading George Bush's book..."Decision Points."

I found an interesting section ( a few paragraphs) in the book that reflected on the fatal flaws within many of the cultural revolutions (China was emphasized). The important observation that he made was that the basis for the revolution was appropriate, but the leaderships' self-serving motives quickly took hold and tainted a good thing...often to the detriment of the participants of the cause...

What hit me was that the American Educational System was afforded the opportunity for a cultural revolution. Now the same drama is playing out in this arena.

Capitalization of this service to America has the ability to provide efficient and effective education, when placed in the hands of creative entrepreneurs.

I realize that within the for-profit arena "margin" and profit needs to be the #1 focus. It is however that the rules of engagement need to be narrow. Control is critical to the success. Capitalization of Education will always reduce itself (by its very nature) to the easiest route to profit.

Without control, the letter of the intent will be followed and the spirit of intent will be ignored.

Participation within this arena needs to be contingent upon providing an effective education to non-traditional students. I have been reading articles to the contrary. These institutions are using "lower classed" students as an excuse for their failure. I agree that individuals who are not accustomed to the educational arena have less of a chance of graduating...(projections say that only about 20% of the students in non-traditional schools have the ability and discipline to succeed), yet this is the challenge that will be met by the organizations that will survivor.

Many of these institutions tout non-traditional education for non-traditional students. What they are simply providing is a traditional education with a non-traditional delivery system (on line or flex classes). This takes us back to the customer (student) focus that is required to be successful.

That being...providing the student with what they need to be successful...rather than what we want them to do...so that we profit (from the organizational perspective)...

It is that sensitivity and awareness that will lead to success!

How many of these institutions realize that the ultimate customer within this complex equation is the taxpayer...we are paying for our fellow citizens to get an advanced education and contribute advanced skills to our society...failure is not an option...When you are a steward of the taxpayers' money, failure is not an option...it is treason!

These institutions have to stop lobbying for relief for the proposed standards...and use their creative capitalistic skills to meet and exceed customer needs! All of the customers! It is their obligation for getting involved in this enterprise...

We should not have to tell them what the rules are...but if they refuse to live up to the spirit of the intent...then...

1 - Retain the students that the have committed to...
2 - Graduate Students at a rate equal to or better than traditional institutions
3 - Make a Profit while they provide these services to America
4 - Drive these students to Gainful Employment and stay committed until they are gainfully employed
5 - Partner in ensuring that these student repay their loans...to the extent that they refund the taxpayer if the Loan Default occurs

That is good corporate citizenship...anything else is a travesty...

I can just hear the current schools screaming that they can not survive if these standards were placed upon them. I do not believe that is so! For every complainer there is another institution with truly committed American citizens that can step up and say...now that we know the rules of engagement...let's meet and exceed the challenge.

It is the American attitude of "can do!" institutions that will make "for profit" education what it was meant (in spirit) to be. The others will fade away as prophesied in that blog...

The fatal flaw is not a genetic flaw...but a fatal virus that is not prevalent in all institutions...

Some of the current institutions are immune because of their leaderships' adherence to the spirit of the intent and not the letter...These are the institutions that will survive...

The others will grow more and more ill...they will be unable to function...complain, reduce their staffing and finally die...it sorrows me to think of this happening...

I truly want to see "for profit" education succeed. It has its place in our society...

Its spirit provides it with tools giving it the ability to do what traditional schools are inherently incapable of doing...

The fatal flaw?

Narrow focus...on the wrong side of the equation!

The antidote?

Our "for profit" institutions must focus on the Spirit and not the Letter of the law and their obligations...

One will never fail when that is achieved!

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What does this specific example have to do with 21st Century Philosophy?

The roots of the concept is actually an 18th Century concept that was promoted by the American Founding Fathers!

They recognized the infallibility of man and his "laws"

They also recognized that there were specific "unalienable" truths that they may know but can not fully explain...

A true citizen adheres to the spirit of these laws and not to the letter of the written law...

"One who personally profits from a poorly written law, while recognizing the spirit of its intent is no citizen of this...our society..."

The 21st Century citizen, whether American or Global...needs to identify and exceed the spirit of the law's intent...rather than squandering that time...looking for loopholes and ways to personally profit...

This 18th Century concept needs to be rejuvenated...and brought back to the forefront of every 21st Century activity...

...If not...we are not citizens of this society or any...and should be treated that way!

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Enough Said!

Global Responsibility...

2010-09-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

I have to rant for a moment or two! Please forgive me!

I recently read a philosophy blog claiming to have "cracked" the argument for "free will." It was poorly written and even worse...it had major flaws in its logic...elementary flaws...I would be embarrassed to even print it on paper, let alone put it on the Internet for the world to see...I do hope that he is not proud of that work or that he does not go around arguing that case...

I will not provide the link, or even mention this individual's name...he is not a philosopher and like many people who purport to be something and are nothing more than "wanna-bes." They give good things a bad name...

This blog is written by, what I would call an elementary school philosophy "wanna-be." He tried to logically develop an argument for freewill. If I were his professor...I would give him an "F!". In short, his logic concluded with...since we do not know all of the details necessary for us to totally understand cause and effect...then freewill has to be a valid option. I bet that he didn't realize that he said...since we are stupid...we have the right to believe in magic!

That is right...all he made was two arguments for stupidity...first that he was arrogant enough to believe that humans are smart enough to know everything to the extent that they fully understand cause and effect. That was simply an argument for how stupid mankind remains in relation to the universe of knowledge. He went so far as to quote Einstein out of context and call that an admission that mankind is incapable of understanding all of the details...therefore cause and effect does not exist...

Second his argument itself was so stupid...it stood as an example of stupidity!

It saddens me to see someone call themselves a philosopher and through their very existence bring a mockery to the science of thought...

A while back when Cray super-computers were the best thing around...a scientist was able to use all of the computing power of a network of Crays without interfering with any of the other work being done with them...HOW?

He realized that the computational power being used was always in the binary pulses of the clock. What the rest of the world had missed is that a binary pulse is the movement from 0 to +1 and them it resets from +1 to 0 to do the next calculation. He began computing in the nulls or voids. There was an entire world of computation available to him...and he tapped it...if I remember correctly...he used that available resource to calculate "pi" to some extraordinary level of accuracy...that broke some new frontiers for physicists...

That scientist was able to tap into an entire world of computational power because he was not blinded by "fact." He as able to see the world of the "nulls" and redefine computational power...that world existed before it was discovered...and remains in every PC today!

Before Columbus...(or whoever you want to believe) discovered the new world...it existed...

Many of the weather issues confronting Europe came from the new world...it was an unknown source...that didn't mean that Europe didn't have weather before the discovery of the new world...

Using that prior pseudo-philosophers argument...since we can never calculate "Pi" to its final number...it doesn't exist...

This is not the logic of a philosopher...let alone a 21st century philosopher!

It was a sad case a VERY narrow and works toward a pre-supposed conclusion, rather than looking at the world and learning new things from what we know...

My thought...

One of the characteristics that I see missing from most people that are competing for the 21st Century Philosopher title...is the perspective of Global Citizenship or Responsibility...

We still live in an age that demands global responsibility from its allies and diplomatically handles its enemies. The laws are rather obscure and non-conformance to them leads to actions that are punitive in nature...monetary sanctions...and ultimately war...

There is no basic and immutable set of global responsibilities.

More so is the lack of recognition that we have progressed beyond simple reward/punishment reactions.

Absolute Determinism

The 21st century philosopher must take into account discoveries from the sciences to ensure a relevant scheme. It was much more simple to create a philosophical school when the world was narrow and infantile. Our knowledge of the world around us has become broader and deeper...that puts an entirely new standard on any epistemology.

The simple concept of cause/effect and the discoveries in physics and cosmology along with the human genome project and psychology put philosophy into and entirely new context. One that is essential to continuous improvement of our society and a step towards future existence...

Consider that fact that all causes and effects determine the physical world as we know it and that there is no other option.

"It is what it is..." becomes a fact...

Since the motion of matter at the moment of creation...there was no other set of options...

Anything that "Matters" (pun somewhat intended) was predetermined...

We delude ourselves into believing that there are options...

Our present is totally determined by the past...and the future by a combination of the past and the present...

The 21st century philosophy must account for the fact that we are where we at because of the almost infinite chain of cause and effect from the past...

That chain is no isolated and independent....but globally large!

Some of the interactions that created one's make-up may have occurred galaxies away...

The materials within our bodies were created within stars...long dead!

Those atoms made their way into our solar system and on to the earth...and then into your body...

The global awareness...in fact universal awareness...is critical...

Our actions and reactions can affect others continents away...in fact...millions of years from now...perhaps life on some other planet!

We are caught within a chain of cause and effect...

Freewill?

I do not know...

I can make a case either way...

I do not know if it matters...as long as the decisions that are made are the right ones...

The 21st century philosophy should be less focused upon whether or not freewill exists and more focused upon making the right choices...which I believe are really the only thing a person has an obligation to do...

A Poison By Any Other Name Is Still A Poison

2010-09-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

I seldom write commentaries related to specific politics...

I believe in integrity...of consistency of behavior related to a foundational set of tenants...but this one hit me hard the other day!

Every American is aware of...President Obama signing into law the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.”

This is not an article touting the benefits of the act or its potential dangers…we’ll leave that to the politicians…

What hit me was the name!

A History Channel moment…

Way back when…men found women with dilated pupils attractive…

Although there may be some interesting psychological discussions about that attraction…this is not about that…

About the same time they found that one of the first symptoms of nightshade poisoning was dilated pupils! In small quantities the people ingesting poison nightshade exhibited this alluring trait! Although it sounds diabolical...poison nightshade became a cosmetic drug!

Women were smarter than men thought and wouldn’t take it just to dilate their pupils…until some genius renamed it belladonna! The interpretation of the word is "beautiful woman"…the reality was that it was belladonna was still poison nightshade!

However, the name change had the desired effects....because a new name conveyed the message that what was in it was new and harmless too! Women began taking belladonna (what they were led to believe was a substitute for nightshade) without realizing that it was still the same poison.

Many died or were physically impaired by this simple medieval marketing ploy.

Fast Forward to the 21^st Century…

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will be systematically implemented over the next 10 years. In 2014 is when the majority of this will hit…even this is a political delay tactic…but we’ll leave this in the hands of the politicians…

The name bothers me…it looks and smells like the poison nightshade conspiracy of the middle ages!

I am not a conspiracy theorist and believe that most so-called conspiracies are the result of paranoia...

I do not want it to come off like I believe that it will lead to the death of America…we’ll leave that to the politicians…who now have to implement it...

It is the words used…”Protection” and “Affordable” bother me. They are "marketing words" used to make this more appealing to a public that might not wish to ingest the poison that it may contain...these are words that elicit emotions...rather than convey a definitive meaning...

I really would like to know who crafted that name…this person should be put on equal ground with the person who came up with the name belladonna!

Why am I making such a big deal about this? It is because things like this reek of deception and dishonesty. A move to appeal to a mass of people who do not have the time or the ability to read the ingredients of what they are being forced to consume...

Our politicians are well meaning and although they may aspire to provide “protection” at “affordable” rates…it sounds like a late night commercial by some fly-by-night insurance company…or one of those emails that you get from Nigeria saying that they have 13 million US dollars in a bank account for you.

Call a horse a horse. Call an apple an apple. A Congressional Act by what it is...

If this is an Act that someone is proud of...call it by the name of the person who sponsored it...if it is truly a legacy...then...

Let’s call this the The President's Citizen Healthcare Act or something that it really is. It will go down in history...Let's not forget where it came from...

I am tired of marketing…straight-talk is what the American Citizens want and deserve…regardless of political affiliation...let’s hold our politicians to their pledges! I continue to trust our leaders... They can step up and put their name on it... It is their right and obligation... When you put your name on something...it forces you to a new level of responsibility and performance... I do not know of any sane person that wants his name to go down in history for a failure...

Enough Said!

What do you think?

More Thoughts on Choice

2010-09-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

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FACT - Beggars Can't be Choosers...Another 21st century need...

Now that is an interesting thought!

Most of the time, I have a "spin" on traditionally accepted axioms...

...This time...I think...I have to agree with it...

The 21st century has to engage with the real meaning of that axiom...

If the members of this society do not engage it...we will end up with a minority working to support the majority...

That would be a sad state of affairs...

The current state is the product of what I have called...the "everyone deserves a trophy" mentality...

I have opposed this from the very beginning...

Adulthood and responsibility means getting what one deserves for their actions and behavior...

Before I jump ahead of myself...let's go back...to that axiom...and show the insanity of entitlement...

*************************************

Let's start with the definition of what or who is a beggar...

Rather than belabor the point that can be easily made without a long logical dissertation...let's conclude...

A beggar is anyone who is not making a tangible contribution to those who support them...

These are individuals who get something undeserved...

This can happen in a microcosm as small as a couple's relationship, a family or as large as the world itself...

Beggars are individuals who get their needs fulfilled without earning it...

Given that thought...If an individual expects a return larger than the contribution that they make to their world...these individuals also become beggars! Let me remind you that the contribution must be tangible.

Given the fact that the contribution is tangible, it falls into the realm of net value. One can not do 3 bad (costly) things and 1 good thing of equal value and expect a return on their contribution.

Although one would like to be the judge of value...the truth is...the value judgement is external to the contributor,,,

Any compensation in return for the contribution that is of greater value than the contribution is a gift...

Gifts fall into the realm of a beggar's purvey...

What a beggar receives can not be rightfully judged as inappropriate...or inadequate...

...because it is gift...

A gift can be rejected...but...

A gift can not be expected...

and if rejected...it can not be expected that it will be replaced...

A beggar has a choice to accept or reject the gift...but if the gift relates to fulfilling a need...rejecting the gift...is pure insanity...or suicide!

In reality...there is no choice related to a gift provided to fulfill a need...the beggar must accept it...

Therefore there is no choice from that perspective...

**************************************

Now we need to look at choice itself...

If simply to prove the point from another perspective...

We wrongly believe that the freedom of choice is related to age!

When an individual becomes an adult...they are entitled to the freedom of choice...

If choice is dependent upon one's contribution...(an earned right)...

If an individual is not contributing...they do not have the right to choose!

The contribution is relative to maturity...(the ability to contribute)...

If an individual contributes more...they should be afforded more freedom...those who contribute less are afforded less freedom...for those who do not contribute...they are afforded the basic freedoms or none at all...

In this context, self-determination is not a right...but compensation...it is earned...and at any given point it is a sum zero proposition...and can be lost through irresponsible behavior or lack of activity that adds value....this falls into the realm of a felony...which will be addressed later...

Interesting thoughts...

Enough Said!

**********************************

The True Loss of Citizenship

2010-08-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Citizenship and Responsibility (An Extremist View that Logically Makes Sense to me)

There exists a confusion about the Rights afforded by the Constitution. An interesting position found within our Constitution is that if an individual does not adhere to the "major" laws of the state or the federal government and is found guilty, they are convicted of a felony. If found guilty...they lose the rights of citizenship. There is an interesting logic...if a person is found guilty of a felony...they are guilty of treason...

With that conviction comes the loss of the rights of a citizen, such as the right to gun ownership, or the right to vote. In essence, an individual who can not conform to the laws have abdicated their citizenship...ALL RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN.

Over time (perhaps through the influence of situational ethics) the penalties related have been diluted.

Application of Constitutional law...in all honesty...should be that if an individual is felonious, they have intentionally abdicated their citizenship through the commission of a a serious crime against society, unless vindicated...It would be cool to deport them, but that is pawning off "bad-blood" on another country. This is not the point

I believe that the 21st century society needs to go back to basic Constitutional interpretation, in relation to felons (those who by that basic definition, have given up their citizenship) and we (as a society) continue to pay the price for their existence in our society (which should be minimized, because they guests (however unwelcome) and should no longer be afforded any rights as a citizens.

One such thing is the "right" to a speedy trial." This is afforded to all law-abiding citizens (until convicted), but a felon no longer deserves such a "right."

Another is that a felon (who is no longer a citizen) has given up his or her "right to a fair trial"...and citizen-like treatment under out law. A felon should be treated as guilty until proven innocent...putting the burden of evidence upon the felon rather than the government...(thus saving the taxpayer's money for justice to citizens).

Think about a felon being "guilty until they prove that they are innocent"...or...that they get a trial when "we" have time!

Turning the tables and focusing on the responsibilities and rights related to citizenship and the cost related to not fulfilling those responsibilities would have many good downstream effects!

I have to think more about this...but the constitutional perspective is sound...we have simply gotten soft on our interpretation...we may need to go to its full intent to extract all of the brilliance of it...and its creators!

US citizenship, or citizenship for that matter is a membership...and a commitment to abiding by the laws of the society. It is an exclusive club...with a wide open membership...citizens are obligated by the rules of membership...the government is obligated to uphold those laws in return...

There are more ramifications related to taking this stance...we'll discuss them in the next submission...

The 21st Century Philosopher - A Reductionist?

2010-08-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

In a previous submission...we discussed the basic political philosophy of our government and how that relates to the 21st century philosopher. There is a difficult balance that must be sought with social responsibility and individual rights and freedoms.

The guiding principal for the individual is ethics and morality...it makes everyone a "church."

This makes the goal of the separation of church and state rather difficult...unless there is a realization that an individual has a right to be a "church" (which by my definition is an adherent to a certain set of ethical and moral standards)...has no right to stand in judgement of any other "church" (individual).

The right of and to judgement lies only in the realm of God (an external higher standard, not necessarily a higher being). That is why..."In God we trust..."

The 21st Century philosopher does not have to discover this concept...simply advocate it in a voice that can be heard...our founding fathers have already embedded this within our Constitution...

This drives equality...it eliminates prejudice...quells discrimination...and on and on!

You may pose..."The United States...is only one of nearly 200 nations...why should we believe that we have the "better" position?"

The US was and continues to be the "Grand Experiment."

It is not that we are better...but have a foundational philosophy that is dynamic and capable of supporting human rights...

Let the others watch and learn...

The 21st Century philosopher does not have to be American...but should at least be an adherent of this type of philosophy (at minimum) or a better one...

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One of the characteristics of the 21st century is its complexity...

This is not an epiphany...just an observation...

Complexity often is an opiate and by its very nature it draws people further from basic truths...

Although people are searching for and refining truth...it seems to be growing at a geometrical rate....

As truths are discovered...they are often refined and guarded with "exclusions and exceptions."

Rather than creating truths with qualifiers...we should be working towards refinement in the other direction..that is searching for the basic elements and universal applications. Truth should be getting more simple...not more complex...

In a way...the 21st Century philosopher should be chasing the basics...rather than trying to amass the world's knowledge!

***********************************

I have yet to find a philosopher in the century that can express the answers with a beauty and elegance similar to the Theory of Relativity...

If answers of this brilliance and universally understanding are to be found in this world...I imagine them to be coming from the 21st century philosopher...

As Einstein reduced the universe's behavior into 5 characters...the philosopher should also...

Yet most that I read are more concerned with sounding intelligent than being understood...

I contend that the true 21st century philosopher is a reductionist!

Who's in Control?

2010-08-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Man has sought control over his destiny since the very beginning...

Maslow recognized that the survival instinct is at the very base of our existence...

Across the ages this has been one of the compelling questions...and it continues to be today

Some end with a complete abdication of control to a higher entity...while others have given full responsibility to the individual...

After some thought I believe that the middle road is applicable to the 21st century!

Let's look into the the life cycle of a single individual...to understand why I have come to this conclusion...

At the moment of birth, a human has absolutely no control...

This quickly changes...the infant discovers that they can get fed or have discomforts eased through crying!

Crying actually causes the mother to produce milk!

This need of control (which is self-serving) does not subside as the infant matures...in fact it expands...(all for self-serving purposes)

We recognize this as individuals trying to "spread their wings"...

At some point in the maturity process...the child believes that they have sufficient control and they leave the protection of their parents...

It is at that point that many realize that the control that they thought they had...was an illusion...

It was not that they lost control upon leaving...but that they no longer lived under a umbrella or protection that shielded them from the consequences of misguided control or poor decisions!

Let's stop here for a few sentences and step back...to get a better understanding of control...

Control is an interesting concept...

Most believe that control is defined as the ability to make choices...and the timing of said choices...

In its most basic form...this is true...(we'll come back to this)

I, however, have a tendency to start by reducing or limiting control or choices by referring to Plato's logic...

For the sake of brevity...this argument is available in Plato's Republic...

His conclusion was..."We are free to only do the good..."

Freedom (hence control) for any activity, other than good...is not really freedom (control)...

I prefer to begin at this point, because it already reduces the control (freedom) that we have...

Having said that...let's go into what I was thinking...

Control and freedom are closely related...

In fact, when freedom disappears...so too does control...

Control (as previously, but briefly stated) is in three separate categories...

What one does...

How well one does what they choose to do...AND...

When, what one chooses to do, is done

What one does...

The "what" has been answered by Plato!

Plato concludes that one is free (in control) only when they are doing "good."

I have to add that there may be a few instances in which the "what" does not affect anything external to the individual exercising control...and then full control is with that individual...(this needs a bit more thought and discussion).

How well one does what they choose to do...

As previously stated...unless the "what" one is doing affects only the person doing it...which is seldom the case...the "How well one does it" is determined externally from the do'er!

This is important because the first part of understanding the middle road conclusion is found here!

The only time that the do'er has control over "how well it is done" is when the internal or personal standard of performance meets or exceeds that of the external standard.

What that means that the "good" is defined initially by those externally affected by the choice and it remains the standard of performance...unless the standard of performance on the individual (doing the choosing) is higher than and exceeds that of the external...

This opens up another discussion that will be pursued at a later time (pertaining to the definition of good).

It is a logical conclusion that the do'er has abdicated control...if their standard is less than the external standard...because their choice of how well it is done...

For someone to say "that is the way I do it" as an excuse for substandard performance...is immature and moving towards the standard definition of social insanity...

Interesting thought...isn't it...

One is rightly free to "be a unique individual" (have control) only when they can perform beyond the level of expectations of "the rule makers!"

Now let's move to the final area of control...

"When (the timing of ) the choice is done..."

Using the previous logic...

An individual has full control of their behavior prior to the point of expected delivery of results...from the external standard...

That means that as long as a person is "ahead of schedule"...they have full control over "when they do it..."

This changes however...and...

They again abdicate control after the time of delivery (by the external expectation)...it is at this point that they can no longer "call the shots!"

At that point...the external standard gets full control!

Another interesting thought!

So let's now draw this all into a single scheme...

What does this all mean to us?

Control is fully in an individuals arena prior to the external expected standard...

delivery...and if the individual's standard of performance is higher than the external standard...

If an individual is trying attempting to exercise control their life...their performance standards need to be shifted higher and sooner than the external expectations...

If they do not shift their personal performance standards...they can not expect to have control...because by definition they have abdicated it to the external standard...

Interesting thought...and enough said on this series of thoughts...

Across the ages...their have been numerous skeptics that put control into the hands of "entities," secret organizations, or conspiracies...or in the hands of God or "the gods."

This means that they abdicated control to these entities (real or unreal)

Rather than recognizing that control can be maintained by ascribing to a higher standard...than the perceived external source...

The paranoia of conspiracy theorists...is internally driven...by their "sub-standards!"

Now this leads me to another aspect that is interesting and somewhat related!

Consequences!

Individuals, especially the immature, desire to do what they want (control) and not have to suffer the consequences for their decisions...

A great case in point...teenagers!

I want to play rather than study...

A VERY hedonistic and emotionally immature behavior...

Our teen in question plays rather than studies...with total disregard to the outcome...

Then when the grades come out...they do not want the consequences...another emotionally immature behavior

or...

They make excuses...

or...

They want the external entities to forgive them...or "cut the slack."

Many are not willing to expend the additional effort in the present to rectify what their past decision predicated...

This is the recourse related to seeing that control has a dual nature...and that there is a definite point at which control is intentionally or unintentionally abdicated...

Many times individuals are not able to (or intentionally refuse to) see many related outcomes related to abdicating control...

Bad grades...no auto insurance discount...

The external entities refuse to pay non-discounted insurance rates...when the choice for good grades was in control of the individual...

therefore...now the individual who abdicated control...needs to get a job to offset the cost of their decision to play rather than do homework...

The immature conclusion would be to want an external entity to make it all better for them...

Our society has called the behavior of the external entity "tough love." It is actually the logical and right response...

Many enablers would simply abdicate their responsible control in reverse to an undeserving individual by paying the insurance premiums...

I have ridden this horse to death!

"Who is in control?" is an interesting 21st century concept.

There is control for the individual...but there is also a point of abdication.

Claiming total control or total lack of control are positions at the extreme ends of the philosophical spectrum...and not representative of reality or functional within our societies...

Enough said...for now!

The 21st Century Philosopher - Simplicity and Elegance

2010-04-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

We live in a complex world. There is no denying that. What I realize is that the complexity is not part of nature, but part of human nature...and of our own doing.

Complexity increases the probability of failure...and we can come to the logical conclusion that we are building failure into our society.

In my search for the 21st Century Philosopher, I have looked for a "back to basics" proponent that drills to the essence of the issues and cuts away all of the distractions from reality...

Isn't that what a true philosopher is all about?

There is a lesson that can be heard from our Nation's Founding Fathers...that, if you follow the echos back to their source...was in our entry level Political Philosophy...or Ethics courses...

It was a quiet sound...that should have been significantly louder...perhaps we would not be in the fray...if it were louder!

Our "Founders" recognized the importance of simplicity and built our government upon that...over time our society has lost touch with that concept...

Let me explain...with a few examples...

Ensuring individual liberty and freedom is at the foundation of our government...but this is a double-edged sword...

There is a temptation to become moralistic and judgemental...(this is the serrated side) while we promote those basic human rights...

We can not stand in moral judgement or contempt...and simply pursue Life...liberty and the pursuit of happiness...

Our Founders differentiated between society's right to liberty and freedom and the individual's right...

How?

Through our legal system...

They established a legal system based upon taxation...not moral or ethical judgement...

They subtly recognized that there is no place for morality or ethics within the government...

This is judgemental and it will lead to the destruction of the society...

Morality and ethics is an individual concern...

You can do whatever you think will make you happy...there is simply a price for your doing that here...

We will not judge whether it makes you a good person or a bad person...for what you have done...

That is the separation of church and state...plain and simply...how?

"Church"...is the epitomy of and all about morality and ethics...ultimately judgement...it does not have to be an organized religion to be a church...simply the exercise of judgement...on ethical or moral grounds...

Prayer in church can be allowed...as long as one does not pass moral judgement on those who refuse to pray...

Upholding a society's liberty and freedom...means that everyone is free to do anything that they want to do...

But how do you reconcile a society's right and an individual right?

Through the cost/benefit equation!

Through taxation...
A person is free to do anything that they want to do...as long as they are willing to pay the price (Tax) for their decisions and behaviors!

There is no judgement of "rightness" or "wrongness"...no ethical or moral judgement...just a cost...

People can steal, or lie or murder in our society...whatever makes you happy...as long as they weigh the cost related to the benefits of doing so...and are willing to pay the price...

AGAIN...If it makes them happy (the pursuit of happiness) they can do it in our society...but they have to pay the tax...

Motive...doesn't matter...motive precludes judgement...

It is simply a matter of..."Showing that a person did something beyond a reasonable doubt..."

Why doesn't matter...REALLY! Did you do it? Then, here is the cost...

It doesn't make then any lesser for doing so...that would be a judgement...and we do not need that!

Laws that were passed within our society based on moral or ethical stances have failed...or have become extremely difficult to enforce...they are complicated and based upon many exceptions...

They have become the complexity...that can lead to destruction...that is sad...

Our founding fathers recognized that ethics and morality are poison to governments and worked diligently to establish a government free from judgement!

We have misused it...

Not just over time...but from the start!
Very early in our history...we got distracted and enacted laws that were ethical and moralistic...an attempt to restrict behavior that some were not willing to stop...

This caused a whisky rebellion...

And it wasn't that the government stood in judgement...they simply enacted a tax without representation!

Later...prohibition became a moralistic law...that quickly lead to review...they learned their lesson...

Over time many laws have been enacted that run counter to our foundation and rather than saying "whoops"

...We piled exception after exception...allowing the courts to decide...rather than just saying we made a mistake! and simply starting over...

The Supreme Court exists to uphold the Constitution...to judge whether a law is moralistic...been enacted with representation...and aligns with Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness...

The judges' jobs could be VERY easy if we went back to basics...and our law books could be significantly reduced...

The 21st Century Philosopher needs to be a vocal advocate of basics and simplicity...and a person listened to by our government...

America is a shining light in the often dark, global drama...it was and remains the "Grand Experiment"

We do not need to stand in judgement...

Just decide what the cost related to certain behaviors...both internally and externally to our society, tax accordingly and stick to the decisions...it is about enforcement...not enactment!

We do not have to make moralistic or ethical judgements on another country or individual...just a simple...if you want to do this...it is OK...but the cost is...and then we do whatever we have to to ensure that the cost is paid!

You can attack us if you want...but the price that you pay is...

I realize that this is splitting hairs...and our society appears to be doing this...

I am simply looking for the philosopher who sees this and does something to help us go back to what made us a machine!

Understanding Time (General and Quantum Perspectives)

2010-04-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

We move through life at a rate of 1 second per second (1sec/sec).

This is an interesting statement when taken in the context of the theory of relativity...

Most people can not grasp the significance of E=MC2. It turned scientific thought on its end!

The speed of light is a constant...which means that if you were traveling at the speed of light and turned on a flashlight...it would still work...

Why?

Because the world around light varies! Distance, time, mass adjust accordingly.

Traditional physics held many of those components constant...meaning that they didn't change...

The theory of relativity and its confirmation tests says that the world around it adjusts to the light perspective...this is mind boggling...

This is most evident in the "warping" of space...

As light approaches a mass...it slows...but because it is a constant...the distance traveled actually shortens...to maintain the constant speed...so that the stationary calculation still appears the same...

Early tests using an eclipse showed that the light from stars bent...based on the apparent change in the stars' positions.

The comparison of two atomic clocks one moving and one stationary...showed that time actually changed...

Radio waves bounced off of the planet Mercury, as it moved behind the sun (in relationship to the earth) and the subsequent calculation of its orbit...showed that the planet's orbit appeared to jump outward...significantly...the change in apparent distance to account for the speed change...

Every time the theory is put to the test...it shows it is accurately describing the general nature of the universe...

Yet time intrigues me...

If the world acts on a continuum with the speed of light as the constant...no one has the same time...except two individuals standing perfectly motionless next to each other...and then there still is a small difference relative to the rotation of the earth...

Enter quantum physics...

it is the world of probabilities...and not of continuum...

it is a world of sub-atomic particles...that are temporal (existing for a moment and then gone)...

I find this an interesting thought...

Perhaps this puts time and reality into better perspective...

There have been many different attempts to put time and reality into perspective...

There have been the theories on multiple dimensions...

and strings...

and time travel...

But in quantum physics...reality exists for but a moment...

Think about the future...there are endless possibilities...probabilities...

Reality exists as a momentary accumulation of the quantum particles in a specific "probability"

And then it is gone (Past)

The future is all of the possibilities...but has no substance or reality...

The present is the combination and accumulation of those particles for that brief moment that quarks exist...

and then they fade and disappear...and become nothing more than a memory...

What this means that time travel is not possible...

Going back into the past...can't happen...the particles are gone...

The future...the particles have not yet combined and accumulated...

The significance it that what matters is the present...and the probabilities of the future...

This can be had with complete non-contradiction with the general theory of relativity...and answers the issues that arise relative to time and space...

Time and space...another interesting concept...

I love the thought of "warp"...

Mass warps the universe...but I believe that it is meager in comparison to the warp that occurs at the speed of light...

Although I am hypothesizing...

There is no distance at the speed of light...hence the universe become planer...perhaps better said...a point!

Transversing the entire universe with light takes no time at all...because there is no distance...

Mass and apparent gravity...are detractors from the real cool things!

I have to think about this...but I am considering that the "Big Bang" may not have been a "Bang" at all!

We have put the Big Bang in a mass and acceleration perspective...that is what a Bang is all about...

The twist may have been simply the interjection of light into the equation...or time...

And then what appeared is apparent distances...and the apparent fact that all of the stars are moving outward...(red shift)

And an apparent size of the universe of 15 billion light-years...when if fact...

There is no distance at all...

Just a rate of travel of 1sec/sec...

Comments?

The 21st Century Philospher - An Engineer?

2010-03-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Let's do a bit of philosophy 100...

As I search for the 21st century philosopher and the criteria required to bestow that honor to a deserving individual...

In the past, many "philosphers" were scientists...or at least they pursued answers to the question "Why?"

Which is what a scientist does best...

Often, this required a significant level of bravery because their discoveries went counter to the society's beliefs.

Society need answers to "Why?" more than anything else...it can be likened to a child's journey to adulthood...

The pursuit of "Why?" was significantly more important at that point in time to the progression of society than the application of the knowledge...

Past philosophers sought knowledge...yet the essence of philosophy is not on knowledge...but on the application of knowledge to the benefit of society...

To me and to you there is a self-evident conclusion...the 21st century must be focused on "What?"

Perhaps better stated..."So What?" or...

The value proposition of the application of knowledge to society's benefit...

When we enter the realm of "application of fact"...we move from science to engineering...which to me is an interesting thought...

A philosopher is the ultimate social engineer...who takes the discoveries (either made by himself or by others)...collides them with the social needs...controls the collision with ethics and moral concepts.

The ultimate philosopher works in all three worlds...but primarily in the realm of guided application...

Consistency, coherency...and non-contridiction...(The 3-C's)

Those astute in philosophy know that I have stated nothing other than the true meaning of philosophy...

I believe that we have to have this understanding in the forefront of our criteria...in order to find that individual...

It can not be an after-thought...

The 21st century philosopher, in this sense is an engineer...a global engineer...that will take the answers to the many "Whys?" assess their immutability and create a set of recommendations for action that maintain absolute adherence to the "3-C's."

So has the search for the 21st century philosopher been too narrow?

Do I need to expand it beyond "Nobel Laureates" to the engineering world?

...or...

Do we look in the streets among those discerning and "simple" people who apply what they know...make change in the world...or at least the part that matters...

Real impact will not be found in people who call themselves "initiators"...but by those who are "do'ers"

It is easy to sit back and tell others to "what to do"

It is much more difficult to stand up and work anything to its conclusion...

Anyone can start a marathon...fewer can run it to the finish line...

Those are the courageous people and this concept needs to stand as one of the selection criteria...

Perhaps not just for that specific 21st century hero...but for all of us...

Because if that is not an inherent trait...society is destined for degradation...

Some Things Change...

2010-03-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

There is a thematic line in the movie "Matrix - Revolutions" that resounds...but is often ignored because of its superficial appearance...

It is repeated between Morpheus and Naomi and appears to be a jaded communication between the two related to their past relationship...and its current state...

One of the two says..."Some things never change..."

...and the other responds..."and some things do..."

This concept however goes significantly deeper than that of a relationship, when taken in the perspective of the 21st century philosopher...

Consider that 21st century...in fact every century...(I am not using the time period but referring to eras within the human condition)...as a symphony.

A good symphony has a basic theme...that prevails subtly throughout the entire piece. The beauty of a symphony is found in the variations on the theme...some of those variations are expected and the listener is "elated" by the fact that they predicted the variant...others are totally unexpected...and delight the listener by the surprise!

The 21st century is not unlike a one of the variants within an ongoing human symphony...but just one of the variants...

When we look at this variant...we notice that the tempo has increased...perhaps to a point that the underlying theme nearly disappears...

Despite the fact that that it is imperceptible...it is still there!

"Some things never change...and some things do..."

Finding that theme and it variants...has been the challenge of anthropologist, theologians, psychologists, philosophers...and more...throughout the ages...

It remains the greatest challenge for the 21st century philosopher...

The challenge is however complicated by the tempo and volume of the current existence...

Acuity must be honed and the themes found before the tempo changes and other elements added to create additional variation into the equation by the GREAT CONDUCTOR!

Rest assured that the theme is there...it is just clouded by the pace and shear size of the 21st century orchestra!

The 21st century philosopher should be striving to find the purity of the theme...and cut through the nosie...not rejecting it as meaningless...but identifying it as an artistic addition that enhances the beauty of the symphony...and passes as quickly as the tastes of the 21st century audience...

BRAVO!

"Some things change...and some things never do!"

This submission is short and sweet!

The Multi-verse and the Right to Philosophize...

2010-03-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

I recently received an email that questioned my right and ability to philosophize.

"Who are you to challenge the way things are...?" it said...

"Just what do you know about philosophy anyway...?"

Interesting questions!

There is a long and a short answer to these questions...

I choose the shorter journey and will rely on the reader's ability to draw conclusions...

Let's begin with the most influential high school teacher that I had...

Name withheld...one of the MANY degrees that she held was a PhD in Philosophy...

She took me under her wing and taught me philosophy during my most formative years...philosophy became part of my DNA...

In college...(I have a degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies by the way) I studied under many of that times most influential Philosophers...A Hume Advocate...a Hegelian...an Eastern Philosopher whose son has gone on to teach history at a prestigious university...a renowned Logician...I could drop names...but this would only be for my edification...

Although the classes and discussions were enlightening...I found the MANY hours that we spent before and after class...in deep discussion much more formative...

I could tout credentials...but my short answer is...

I had an INTEREST...I cultivated that interest (with the help and guidance of others) into a PASSION...and over the past 30 years...turned it into a TALENT...

The right to philosophize is not a right given by a degree...or by achieving some level of publication...but through the relevance of the questions that they ask and the answers that they obtain...

On that and that alone do I exercise my right to philosophize...

Enough Said!

*********************************

The "multi-verse" has again reared it head! For those who have not pondered the multi-verse...it is simply the concept that every logical and illogical possibility exists in the "sum-total universe." Our existence is simply one variation of all of the "strings" (I use that term loosely) that actually exist.

It is an interesting concept...that makes our existence much less meaningful...we are simply one of an infinite number of mathematical (infinite) possibilities...that are not theoretical...but actual...and just as real...or unreal...

I enjoy this musing...it makes for great conversations at dinner and cocktail parties. But I have little confidence that it would make meaningful and significant differences in science or humanity...WHY?

Because understanding that there are other "existences" does not provide a deeper understanding of our "existence.

The 21st century philosophers and scientists need to maintain focus on deeper understanding and insight into our dimension...

Let those who exist in those other "strings" worry about their "strings!" In fact one possibility it that they do not care about it at all! LOL!

My interest in the multi-verse was peaked when I tried to put it into perspective relative to my concept of a finite "Pi." As I considered the multi-verse, I concluded that we may simply be the place where "Pi" has no end...and then my quest for finite "Pi" is fruitless...on the other hand...we may be the universe that has lost touch with the REAL number system and is destined to flounder in our own stupidity...

OR...

We may be the universe that suddenly becomes enlightened by the inconsistencies of our current mathematics and bring the finite "Pi" into existence!

This is where the multi-verse shines! We do not know...

We can have a fatalistic view of existence...or

We can consider the possibilities...and choose the direction that we want this universe to travel!

Consider that!

Your work and thoughts and efforts...can have universal impacts...that not only effects our own existence...but all of the other existences as well...

Perhaps this universe is significantly more "ethnocentric" than we realize!

Enough Said!

The Hidden (or Ignored) Flaw in 21st Century's Social Fabric...

2010-02-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

Although I am tempted to devour another piece of "Pi," we'll resist the temptation for the moment and begin a discussion on a much more "elemental" topic...

After we have exhausted this subject we may again be hungry for some more "Pi"!

At some point in every generation..."it finds its cause"...somehow the flaws of its fabric...became evident and its members rose to the occasion and made the necessary changes and often "re-wove" the foundational tenants of its belief system...taking itself to the next level...

Case in point...the 1960's has been called a turbulent decade...why?

...because of the struggle that this generations had in coming to grips with racial inequality...it was attacked from every angle...

yet that generation and its philosophers rose to the need and slowly and systematically repaired the situation...

Now...in fact...racial inequality (in the US) is a passe topic...

...some may argue the opposite...but this argument is now definitional...and not behavioral...

I point to the fact that it is widely held that racial prejudice is WRONG...immoral and unethical...the fabric has changed...there are laws in place to punish those who believe and act differently...

This generation (the 21st century) too has flaws in its fabric...

...the most destructive one is a virus that runs rampant through it...and like a great virus...this one has evolved...it may be the proverbial HIV of humanity's' moral and ethical structure...there may not be a cure!

In its very structure is built an evil self preservation mechanism...

There remains a few that are uninfected (unaffected) by it...and they will readily tell you that this is a devastating disease...

...it is only these people who can see the extent to which this virus is destroying society...

The rest of the world needs to listen...trust and give heed to their opinions...and suggestions for rectification...

The 21st century philosophy needs to address this most basic tenant of society...in order for us to regain our position...and more importantly...shore the foundation upon which we can build a more advanced society...

Have you seen it yet?

Let's take a brief but valuable detour on this journey...to help clear any haze in our mutual understanding...

Even prior to the formal establishment of the American government, an American legal system was established...

The foundation of the system can be succinctly identified with..."Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth...?"

A person's words were considered sacred...and a person held their words (what they said) in the highest regard...

Personal integrity and honesty and full disclosure meant more to an individual that any crime that they could commit!

If the accused person was put on "the stand" and asked if they murdered...it was worse to lie than to admit to the murder...

As a result...a person's right to refuse to answer a question...for fear of self-incrimination was imposed and upheld in the highest courts!

Perjury was a rare occurrence!

The tables have turned...

A person's words are meaningless and hollow...

Precious court and judicial time is wasted building cases...validating honesty...and testing the integrity of the witnesses...WHY?

Because a person is just as capable of lying, as they are to tell the truth...

The flaw in the fabric is our lack of social and individual honesty and integrity...

It has permeated our society to the extent that people make a lot of money...separating fact from fiction...truth from lies! That is sad!

The 21st century demands transparency...

The 21st century and its internet promotes truth...despite its attraction to hype!

Truth and transparency will become the battle cry and probably the determining factor in American politics...

American business and advertising needs to step up to the challenge of truth and transparency...

The American society needs to demand it...live it and expect nothing less...

CEOs can no longer work with hidden agendas...

Perjury has to have significantly more dire consequences than any of the crimes that the convicted is accused!

The moral and ethical fabric of this society is flawed...and we are to blame...

We have ignored "hedging the truth"

We have accepted "white lies"

Our acceptance to those things which were not the truth and anything but the whole truth has set us on a costly path of moral and ethical degradation...

It is not too late to turn this ship...

Enough said!

Another Piece of "Pi"

2010-02-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

I think that we have happened upon a topic that is worth pursuing!

I have been inundated with and replying to numerous email responses to the original "pi" blog...

...not since my discussion of the effects that "gravitational lensing" potentially has on the entire science of astronomy and cosmology have I been so challenged...(if you are interested in reviewing those thoughts...let me know and I'll either dig them up or rewrite them) The interesting thing is...if you accept gravitational lensing...then you have admitted that all observational astronomy may be an illusion...and the universe can be created by as few as 5 stars! Everything we see may be simply the same star over and over!

The same issue holds true in mathematics...

But allow me to regress...

The Epicureans (I believe) were known for taking a single concept and building consistent, coherent and non-contradictory epistemological scheme around it. They believed that the world's truths can be found in those 3-C's. They were on to something...but many of the epistemologies although perfect in describing the world were based on an initial flawed concept...(look at how they described retrograde motion of planets...by having them circle (spiral) in their orbits...the basic problem that they had was...that the earth was not at the center of the universe...yet their schema worked perfectly!

People that disagreed with their perfect definitions were labeled heretics...which then carried into this age! (more to come on that subject)

In the previous article...I noted that "pi" should be a finite number...a circle has a definite beginning point and an end point...which happens to be the same...I then theorized that the issue may be in the fact that the "base 10" number system may not be the real, natural number system...

One person wrote that although it was chosen by the Romans specifically base upon commerce...that 10 digits is a natural number...occurring on all of the advanced organisms...(fingers and toes, etc) and I should adhere to my own theory and accept "base 10" as THE natural number system...

I still disagree...10 may be the system...but I have yet to see any organism with all of their digits exactly the same length...I think if that happened...we would call that a "freak of nature!"

My point is...and I wrote this...hold your hand out in front of you...every digit is a different length...perhaps the message is...Base 10 is right...but the distances (values) between each varies...and that is the message that nature is sending us...

On the subject of messages...the current nature of "pi" could be taken as a message that we are close to the truth...but because of its non-repeating nature...not dead-on...we simply accept that it is non-repeating and infinite...rather than questioning the nature (validity) of the system from which it is derived...for that I was called a mathematical heretic!

It takes me back to when a professional astronomer and physicist called me a cosmological heretic...and a staunch Six Sigma practitioner called me a pragmatic rogue...

At first I took offense...then I thought about the company that I joined...and started looking for other valid reasons to be called a heretic!

If the foundational nature of things are not questioned...there will be no progress...

It is the Epicurean dilemma!

Many of our arts and sciences are based on concepts that are close...but not dead on!

Mathematicians should be pursuing a finite and simplistic "pi" There will be nothing sweeter and a dessert that is matched by none...(sorry about the analogy!)

Circles are finite in a planer world...and "pi" should be also...

There is a message to be heard from that number...LISTEN!

Anyone want some more "pi?" I am up for it!

"Pi" is NOT an Infinitely Repeating Decimal!

2010-01-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

I was reflecting on "pi" and its history and its infinite quality and came upon an interesting thought.

I have always been intrigued with "pi" for some strange reason that I can not rationalize. It may simply be the fact that it is a non-repeating decimal that from a human's perspective is unattainable.

Many years ago. I came upon a simple and compact program that was capable of calculating "pi" in its continuous nature...unrestricted by the computer's limitations. It was interesting. At first the numbers spewed out. (I had it hooked to a printer) Page after page printed out with the non-repeating series of numbers. After a while, it slowed while the calculation struggled to calculate the next digit. In fact, seconds turned to minutes, then into hours, then into days, and weeks...and months...

When I moved from one home to another, I painstakingly created a power source and transfered the computer from one place to another...just so that the computer's work could continue uninterrupted! It was an interesting conversation piece...many of the super computers of the time had calculated the string far beyond what my meager PC did...but I loved hearing the "zip" of the "dot-matrix" printer in the middle of the night and periodically looked at the continuous feed paper...hoping for a new digit...

After a few years, the "conversation piece" died and it quit...and my thoughts went on to other more pressing topics...

In the book "Contact" a message...actually a blueprint for a machine was hidden within "pi." Once decoded, a traveler was able to move across the universe (transcend it) and meet with higher intelligence. That is quite "sci-fi" from my perspective...but there may be a message embedded within "pi" that we humans miss because it is glaring us in the face...

Let's dig deeper into that thought...

As of late, I have been considering the role that human arrogance has played the shape of our scientific understanding of the world around us. It suddenly became apparent that even our number system (base 10) is a form of human arrogance.

We have a binary system and an octal system and a hex system and so on...but all of them are converted into decimal for our own understanding...

We chose the decimal system...it has not chosen us...it is contrived and may very well be at the base of the infinite nature of "pi."

The decimal system is an invention of man...and we have accepted it the structure in which we can accurately describe the world. The decimal system may not be the number system of the universe! As a result we have skewed our perception based upon that which is missed or rejected by the decimal system itself.

I have no answer to this problem...but do want us to consider that in order to make quantum leaps within knowledge...we must change the way that we look at things!

We have limited (restricted) ourselves to the limitations of the decimal system and as long as we describe the world around us in decimal terms...will be limited to this filter. In the decimal world..."pi" is a repeating number...perhaps in the REAL number system of the universe...it is one of the simpliest and pure constants to be had!

It is our arrogance as humans that shape and limit our ability to percieve the world and not the opposite. The universe is open and waiting...to be discovered within its own terms...and its true number system...

Philosophy and Political Correctness...

2009-12-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

I was listening to a podcast today. A comment made in it was quite interesting...and from my perspective needed further investigation...and thought...

The speaker noted that 96% of the people in the U.S.A. believe in God or in the existence of God. That is an interesting statistic...given the fact that we censor the discussions of God under the excuse of political correctness and relegate the discussions to Sunday mornings and a small group of trusted friends.

I am finding that the true 21st century philosopher can not be restricted by political correctness...

Political Correctness (PC) dulls the edge that the 21st century philosophy needs. Under the guise of hurting people's feelings or insulting them...we hush the critical elements required to face the truth...

That does not mean that the 21st century philosopher has the license to promote prejudice or racism or use it as a tool to put people down.

When I think through PC...it is an attack on our constitutional right to free speech...and we have fallen for it and hush each other when someone talks about political affiliation...or religious beliefs...

Our founding fathers were anything but politically correct...

They faced the facts...it was a time that honor and truth was held in the highest regard! Swearing on the Bible in a court of law meant something...it was their truth...the whole truth and nothing but the truth...It was not up to the courts to decide whether that truth was a fact...but the perception of the majority...the majority guided truth and not some special interest group that was afraid to have its feelings hurt...

How things have changed...

Now a person can sit on a witness stand and lie...and not even face charges for perjury! I believe that anyone lying on a witness stand, should not only be convicted of the crime that they are guilty of...but face a stricter penalty for lying! Consider what that would mean...You are found guilty of murder in the first degree...as a result you face 25 years in a state penitentary...for lying on the stand...you are sentenced to life...with no chance of parole...and I have removed all opportunities for appeal...

Now that puts the value of honesty in a new perspective...

BUT...BUT...what if I hurt someone's feelings? Isn't that a good reason for lying?

There is no excuse for lying...especially Political Correctness...

PC has done as much harm to this society as "Stranger Danger" has done to our children...

"Stranger Danger?"

A nation-wide effort to protect our children from "strangers" who kidnap and rape our youth...the fact of the matter is that strangers are involved in less than 1% of the cases of injury and molestation!

Stranger Danger has provided a cover for acquaintences and family members to operate...that cover is sick and does not give them license...only protective cover...for their demented ways!

Political Correctness is another cover in which truth and growth is being supressed...and just as harmful to our society...perhaps more so...

I must admit that I allowed myself to be "gagged" by political correctness. I took it to an extreme... I was hushed far too often by the fears of retribution...and the chance that I would hurt someone's feelings...or offend them...or even worse...open their eyes to the truth...having them realize the stupidity of their position...

I believe in God! I believe that the Biblical principals are firm and solid...

I have many times veered my discussions away from the talk of God and Jesus because I was afraid of offending someone...

I may offend my Moslem friends who recognize Jesus as an earlier prophet...or my Jewish friends who rejected him...or my athesist friends who sit in a minority...

96% of the USA believes in God in one form or another...let us talk about what He looks like. I bet that we would be quite amazed that He has the same address...in every religion...what a great place to start!

Remember that the things that we have most in common are the differences between us! PC recognizes those differences and treats them as such...

Talk about a segregation effort...

Talk about aparthied...

The people who promote PC are the same who are afraid to face facts in a competitive arena...

It will be those discussions about Him that will clarify and drive to the truth...but they must be out in the open without fear that we are breaking some stupid convention called PC...how foolish!

I have yet to see someone "fined," "taxed," or "improsoned" for being politically incorrect...

Avoiding those fierce conversations, under the guise of PC is wrong...and will accomplish nothing...in fact it makes the chasm between all of us wider...yelling into that canyon will not produce echoes...only whispers from the fearful and intellectually weak. It is the whimps who afraid to face the truth of who they are...and stand with pride, who press for political correctness.

The 21st century philosopher can not be afraid to yell across the chasm...there are others on the opposite side waiting to hear! AND the echos will become music!

Where is he or she?

The world is waiting!

A Person of Compromise?

2009-09-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

As I reflect...

I can not recall anyone who is recorded in the annals of history and is known for compromise.

The 21st century philosopher too, must possess a consistent integrity that does not allow for compromise. Compromise is lays a foundation upon which only losers can reside!

Many an epic military leader, or a religious leader or a political leader have "fallen on their sword" rather than compromise what they stood for! If they must lay down...it must be in death! That is the passion for "their cause" by which they live...

I have not seen a great person with the title of "consultant" either!

A great leader (the philosopher) was engaged and involved. They did not simply whisper advice from a safe and secure position...they lived in its midst! They openly advocated their position and lived it!

The 21st century philosopher needs to be making that kind of impact on this global society.

They must address the challenges (enemies) of our very survival and stand against that foe...whether it be on environmental issues, or global unity or economic equity...or whatever!

The world is complex...that goes without saying...perhaps the 21st century is not a single individual but a group of experts that unite and maintain an absolute integrity across all of the issues...ensuring the survival of humanity!

Perhaps the 21st century philosopher is a system (a digital philosophy) that can not be compromised. In the past...a person's word was sacred...individuals could take an oath on a witness stand and their words were accepted as truth...

Words have become hollow. Witness' integrity are challenged constantly in the courts. Why because their words mean absolutely nothing!

The 21st century philosopher must be more than words...(these are no longer of value)...this individual must be a person of action...the results of those actions may or may not make a difference...because that aspect is a responsibility of the global audience! They have to try and die trying!

The sad part of philosophy is that it is always "one or two generations behind the times!" Most philosophers are not recognized until long after the impact that they could have had is past!

The 21st century philosopher must stand strong...they must stand for what they believe...

It is more than words and insight...it is more than an "I told you so" prophecy...

It is action!

Universal Recognition Required? (Rand and Lee)

2009-08-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

A very good friend and fellow "searcher" suggested Ayn Rand and Bruce Lee as possible candidates! These are interesting candidates!

Philosophers must be simultaneously relevant and prophetic! Ayn and Bruce definitely were that!

Ayn is credited with the development of the philosophical system called "Objectivism." Individualism and Capitalism were emphasized as necessary to by promoted as long as they were held in check by a constitutional government. She was against statism and any form of collectivism...having been deeply ingrained within a collective society...I believe that she earned the right to stand against it! I believe that she was definitely on track as she considered the acquisition of knowledge was only through reason!

Bruce was a cultural icon! Again, he is recognized as a philosopher...as a practitioner of Wing Chung and the founder of Jeet Kune Do concept he focused on practicality and efficiency of movement! He combined deflection and counter-attack into the same movement! BRILLIANT! As the founder of the Jeet Kune Do concept, Bruce believed in distilling his art to its basic elements and not "piling" others upon the truth! He refined his martial arts over time believing that true martial arts were a process of defense and not a methodological "system of steps." He grasped the reality of the art in that he found that rejecting a technique because it was not accepted by others as part of the system was a mistake! Another brilliant position required by the 21st century philosopher!

Ayn died in 1982 and Bruce died in 1973...well before they could lay claim to the title of 21st century philosopher...but they definitely have components of the philosophy needed for the this millennium!

They were absolutely prophetic...and these concepts are necessary elements of who we are looking for!

What do you think?

21st Century Global Perspective

2009-08-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

The 21st century requires a philosophy of global perspective.

The seeds of this perspective were planted in the 1960s. There was an child-like epiphany of the "hippies" and especially the "flower children" to "make love...not war!" It was fledgling that shot up quickly...but never really achieved everything that it could have as an adult thought! This perspective is not dead...or even endangered...just not cultivated enough to be commonplace! We need to walk the forests of concepts and rediscover the medicinal plants of global perspective!

OK...enough prose!

The global perspective needs to focus on the unity of mankind and not on its differences!

The "weed seeds" of predjudice' lie dormant' in the "Embrace Diversity" movements that have just recently become passe (and none too soon!). When I ponder this situation, the simple recognition of differences in people precludes a value judgement! It the end...that value will become negative.

The attitude that I think that we should be looking for can be summed up in this simple observation given to me by a 5 year-old girl...

"If you're telling me that we should start breaking down these barriers with what we have most in common..."

"...Then..."

"The things that we have most in common are the differences that are between us..."

"The things which are different between you and I is exactly the same as the the differences between me and you..."

Out of the mouths of babes! Perhaps if I wait for a while...she'll step up as the 21st Century Philosopher!

I would contend...that it is simplier than that! Differences don't matter!

It is misdirected basic human need to classify things...we are now beyond that!

What matters is what you bring to the table and what you do with it!