Injustice

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Questions (Independence)

Again, the musings related to audacity are from the view of an autodidact who relishes the independence allowed by Questions.

HW #II-64: O OPPRESSORS ON EARTH! Withdraw your hands from tyranny, for I have pledged Myself not to forgive any man’s injustice. This is My covenant which I have irrevocably decreed in the preserved tablet and sealed with My seal.

There is a lot of injustice in the world. Some people seem more unjust than others. Of course, those who have more power have a broader influence and, hence, can have acts that seem to be more reprehensible than are the acts of those who have less power.

However, we are not to judge, in a sense, except for ourselves. As, we are to bring ourselves to account each day (HW #I-31), in very many ways.

Injustice can range from being non-green, to overworking man or animal, to raking in the dough with huge bonuses for work that does not warrant such (what work does?), to criminal abuse, to much more. From an Operational sense, one can see worries, about being unjust, culminating in non-action and paralysis.

Ah, around the corner is the Motivational which will come to the rescue by helping to constrain overly abundant worry and by assisting to motivate query where needed. That is, without Questions, how can we know anything?

And, science does (ought to) play in these fields (one might even expect that, topsy-turvy, these will be considered as the proper foci) as well as in those commonly attributed to the discipline, ala material and biological sciences.

Remarks:

12/06/2009 -- The Motivational implies goals and actions. Being just.

Modified: 12/06/2009

Wide path?

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Might (Beauty)
Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Knowledge (Grace)

HW #II-17: O COMRADES! The gates that open on the Placeless stand wide and the habitation of the loved one is adorned with the lovers’ blood, yet all but a few remain bereft of this celestial city, and even of these few, none but the smallest handful hath been found with a pure heart and sanctified spirit.

There are several things to know. That there is a path; that the gates are wide open. That the path has always been (SAY: As for me, my Lord hath guided me into a straight path; a true religion, the creed of Abraham, the sound in faith; for he was not of those who join gods with God.)

But, questions abound, to boot. How wide is the path leading there? By what measure?

The way of science would match questions with what we know or can know ala the SAQ which suggests a new type of dialectic, perhaps.

Remarks:

10/27/2009 -- In Creation, a straight path is best exemplified by a ray of light, yet we know from relativity that light can bend. An allegorical reference about this would allow discussion of what is allowed. That is, characteristics, such as angle, would be apropos. That we have Abraham as the landmark for science can bring to fore many repressed ideas.

Modified: 10/27/2009

Light and Names

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Light (Grace)

Two of the four great festivals relate to births. That is, today (10/20) and next month (11/12).

These are, respectively, Light of Knowledge and Names of Power.

Now, in terms of the Attribute groups, we can consider a few things. For the first, we have a Teleological of an Operational. Then, we have an Operational of a Motivational.

Interesting juxtaposition, there. However, the emphasis on Operational seems to point to the importance of science to ourselves, far beyond what might be the current general opinion.

Science, from Abraham on.

SAQ #37: If the attributes are not identical with the Essence, there must also be a multiplicity of preexistences, and differences between the attributes and the Essence must also exist; and as Preexistence is necessary, therefore, the sequence of preexistences would become infinite. This is an evident error.

Remarks:

10/17/2012 -- There is a lot to reflect on, about the trip, especially the western loop.

Modified: 10/17/2012

Challenges

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Beauty (Beauty)
Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Grandeur (Perfection)

As said before, we were given science with Abraham. Now, through time, the evolution of ideas has followed interesting paths, one controversy being, of course, those things that may have a Teleological flavor.

Aqdas #178: By God, this is the arena of insight and detachment, of vision and upliftment, where none may spur on their chargers save the valiant horsemen of the Merciful, who have severed all attachment to the world of being.

The following theme is similar to the two ways of knowing, with and without effort. The constructive ways of science emphasizes the second, though it cannot do without the first (one point of debate).

SAQ #61: For the spirit travels in two different ways: without means, which is spiritual traveling; and with means, which is material traveling: as birds which fly, and those which are carried.
Remarks:

10/17/2012 -- There is a lot to reflect on, about the trip, especially the western loop.

07/25/2011 -- The choice: 'Tis or 'Tisn't.

05/17/2011 -- Stephen gets press.

05/09/2011 -- We need a constructive re-look.

Modified: 10/17/2012

Knowledge, at last

Month, Day: 166, Knowledge, Splendour (Independence)

We've been waiting for this month since 3/21. It has taken its time getting here. We are now 3/4ths the way through the Operational.

Some of the themes to discuss will deal with things like mode and method. Too, the timeless aspects are be touched upon, though they are really beyond understanding.

But, for a brief recap first, let's look, again, at the twin duties: know and obey. SAQ (#84) discusses the need for the second: If, by the help of science and knowledge, we wished to introduce these morals and customs, truly it would take a thousand years, and then they would not be spread throughout the masses.

We ought to be thinking of the Motivational, too.

In a sense, science has a non-short history, however we all can see that there has been a massive acceleration the past century. In fact, the past few years have been mind-boggling in the things that unfolded.

Yet, science, in the proper view, has a long history and has been here since Abraham (Knowledge: “And thus did we show Abraham the Kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth, that He might be established in knowledge.”). For what end is the knowing of Creation?

Well, in the past, the Manifestations were here, left evidence, but then faded through time, except in the hearts of the believers. Let me say, apparently faded, as Those are Life if we only knew. The cardinality of that Set, meaning having had appearance here, is not small.

Now, like miracles, anything at a distance, whether in space or time, cannot be a strongly held as those local, and now. This is a common characteristic of man. Yet, even that is not entirely true, to wit, just look at problems of underdetermination and the related.

So, except, for those things based upon universals (physics, etc.) and the computational (will more fully explain this), most things have no support beyond those who are there to perceive them (ah, not Berkeley, again) and those who may observe remotely (think TV and other media of this type). One can argue that these two are different. The former rests heavily in the independent viewpoint that trusts perception; the latter is problematic from various angles but has been shown to be an effective means for information distribution.

But, there is another way. Just as we have the Writings, the Administration, and more, we'll be putting together a collective BASIS for certitude which will a growing framework to support both further science and other knowing. This suggests that science will continue to be two-fold, with that supposedly hard aspect continuing in its blind ways. The other side of science will admit the less hard, but strong.

Notice above, that there was mentioned physics and the computational. The computer will be the bridge and play a couple of roles. It will continue to be a fine instrument for mathematical, and related, types of processing. Additionally, it'll support that which is needed to more fully understand man's inherent being, or the potential thereof.

That last role's existence is only barely beginning to emerge. We'll be looking at it more closely as we go along here.

Remarks:

10/18/2009 -- Thomas continued the scientific attitude. There are challenges that audacity must overcome.

Modified: 10/18/2009

Dominion and Will

Month, Day: 166, Will, Dominion (Justice)

We have Knowledge, and its interesting paradoxes, coming up.

But, Dominion raises some questions, especially about what we can know a priori. It may be that we know a lot more than commonly accepted. But, that fore knowledge is not the same as cause.

SAQ #35: The foreknowledge of a thing is not the cause of its realization ... For example, tonight everyone knows that after seven hours the sun will rise, but this general foreknowledge does not cause the rising and appearance of the sun ...

However, such a talent (looking ahead), assuming that we can know consistently and by command (ah, how so?) could be put to good use.

Now, even in fore knowledge, there will be issues related to type, operational methods, potential effectiveness, and so forth.

By the way, one modern problem is that people have trusted mathematical extrapolation far beyond what is reasonable. And, these are not uneducated souls, either. Somehow, modern successes lead to some type of 'siren' (yes, think mythology) influence that warps the judgment.

Methinks that it's natural and to be expected; the only proper attenuation of these types of errors would be from a sound metaphysics. And, 'how is that to be' is the question.

Ah, Knowledge

Month, Day: 166, Will, Sovereignty (Grace)

Will operates within the twin duty framework with one of the duties being to know. That presupposes all sorts of things, as what does it mean to know?

Well, some claim internalization of a master's lessons is one way to know. Yes, that does seem to work in some cases, however note that the extreme mode of this is the zombie who is both a servant and an idiot. Is that the Will of the Creator?

Besides, with the Manifestation not being here, and there not being any representation of that Being on the planet, to whom is the subjection to point. Oh, don't say UHJ as are we expecting some embedded circuitry with which we'll all be controlled like mindless robots (apologies here, as some robotic functions are going to be fairly sophisticated -- yes, implying that the Turing test will be strongly met)?

You see, mostly that knowing type mentioned above is a superposition. Ah, thankfully, the generation gap, and the grave, prevents such from happening ad infinitum.

Well, we'll see that there are many ways to know, however we cannot just jump to that and avoid what the next couple of days will bring.

Will to question

Month, Day: 166, Will, Questions (Beauty)

Being 3/4ths into the Operational times brings up the theme of Questions that has been addressed before. It is the BASIS of science.

That 'obey' is part of the twin duties does not impede the role of Questions. And, it is not only the autodidact that must question.

Will is necessary both for maturity and knowledge. And, the generational gap (severing sword) must be understood in this context.

Remarks:

02/24/2010 -- Ascendant to Transcendent.

Modified: 02/24/2010

Yearly measure

Month, Day: 166, Will, Knowledge (Majesty)

Audacity poses questions about dynamics that need further study. What motivation? Consider the quote provided below in terms of a yearly push on the Baha day of Baha.

What effects could we discern with the proper model?

As we all know, as we age, the metaphor of the seasons for the changes that we experience is not just lightly correlated. And, though we know that the Creator's influence is of each moment, knowing that a special burst comes yearly would allow us to think about how we manage this for ourselves and for endeavors.

Too, we could use the insight to consider what the ways of science could know and show.

From the Aqdas (111): Happy the one who entereth upon the first day of the month of Bahá, the day which God hath consecrated to this Great Name. And blessed be he who evidenceth on this day the bounties that God hath bestowed upon him; he, verily, is of those who show forth thanks to God through actions betokening the Lord’s munificence which hath encompassed all the worlds. Say: This day, verily, is the crown of all the months and the source thereof, the day on which the breath of life is wafted over all created things. Great is the blessedness of him who greeteth it with radiance and joy. We testify that he is, in truth, among those who are blissful.

Finally, does the measure diminish, yearly, between Manifestations? Or, does it increase to offset the collection of flim-flam? Those are Teleological questions.

Remarks:

03/22/2022 -- Still at it. The yearly measure comes with the wafting mentioned in the Aqdas. Later, we saw group concepts applied. See Splendour/Glory from 179. 

05/17/2011 -- Stephen gets press.

05/09/2011 -- We need a constructive re-look.

04/04/2011 -- Yearly measure, in use (April, the month of potential).

03/21/2011 -- Year 165, Year 166, Year 167, Year 168

11/21/2010 -- What motivates, indeed. By time of the Motivational, how much of the yearly measure do we have left?

12/21/2009 -- More on the diagonal or square'd days.
12/06/2009 -- The Motivational implies goals and actions. Too, the day? Splendour, Splendour. Or, Baha, Baha. Seems as if each month recapitulates the year, in a sense (brings to mind the adage of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny - suggesting some organic [living being, of course] analog?).

Modified: 03/22/2022

Will to will

Month, Day: 166, Will, Will (Justice)

Several topics could be apropos to the theme, yet one arises naturally.

We know that people have Will, namely through observing volition in ourselves and others. Of course, we can know this through Revelation, too.

What influence does one's will have on others? That is, we know there are differences between individuals, by design, that exhibit themselves various ways. Stronger wills impose their views on those of the lessor. In that very large middle, we might have more egalité than not.

Some think that the give and take within the playing out of a program's unfolding requires resolution of conflicts that are will enabled. That is, a big question about performance, and its expectation, concerns what is possible. For instance, 'cannot do' does not mean 'will not do' in many cases. Yet, many times an inexperienced view, willing to try, is allowed to create a mess. But, we do, or can, learn thereby.

The modern view loses itself in the confounding that is inevitable. Why? For one, the computer has turned things around thereby placing many modern situations in more of a stack-of-cards condition than is realized.

Trying to resolve how to theoretically describe some aspects of these things led to game theory which can be applied in many situations. Yet, there is more than that esteemed field covers.

Perhaps, themes related to audacity are necessary. Similar to there being in situ variations, people interactions are as varied and, perhaps, even more so. Too, part of the 'in situ' property would be who's there, that is, local influences upon some type of medium.

Ah, one might say, that's been thrown out. Or, such considerations are beyond the purview of ourselves here on this side of Creation.

But, wait, such dynamics may be very much analogous to that behind thermodynamics and could very well be amenable to our understanding or, at least, to our utilitarian interests.

Do we know a priori?

World embracing

Month, Day: 166, Will, Light (Majesty)

Earlier, in the Operational times, there was mention of our 'in situ' selves as being books that need to be read. In fact, there is some significance regarding sites and burial duties. It has been said, heard as a tradition, that the soul remains sensitive to the body's state.

Well, some things are beyond our current understanding. But, Will is not one of those. So, lots of questions come to mind. What is this? And, why do we have it?

One counsel has been to lift our minds beyond the in situ: (Tablets after Aqdas) Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self.

One way to do this by shaking off the dust and moving about between various sites, Lord knows that there are plenty of methods in the modern world for doing this. One can attain a state of perpetual motion. One problem: no matter where one goes for a new embedding, so too goes whatever the Will has collected. There may be a lag, yet there is also this: (HW #I-40) O SON OF MAN! Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face.

That is, there is no running away. From what? Again, lots to discuss.

Consider though, that as you look about your 'in situ' situation, things may look fairly normal as a consistent stage for your self and your Will. Ah, the sophisticate will say, we're on a little planet moving about. Yes, can you see that? Ever notice how seemingly eternal themes are always playing out upon some stage that carries along no matter where you go?

For instance, the building that you're in, most likely, has been there for more than a moment. That framework that we all get used to is really persistent. Just what is this thing that grabs so much of our attention, provides an endless stream of characters playing roles, and seems so real? Actually, we know that it is real (SAQ #79).

As said before, here we're building some type of stature implying that the Operational deals with far more than day to day issues with the in situ's unfolding. Science plays along this line, to boot. And, there may actually be things that are local to a site. What?

Remarks:

02/24/2010 -- Ascendant to Transcendent.

12/06/2009 -- The Motivational implies goals and actions.

10/03/2009 -- Another sense, domineering types and those who want to conquer the world. Yes, we're to love our afferent connection to Creation. And, probably more exhibit traits of the autodidact rather than of those who know everything which can result from several sides including certificates that indicate accomplishment of note in one area of thought or endeavor. Will applies to how we filter the afferent, yet it applies more to the efferent activity following the choices made. Or, to the mode, and the motive, of choice.

10/02/2009 -- There's several ways to take 'world-embracing' in terms of meaning. The most common, probably, is that we think and act globally. In a sense, this mode recognizes that everything is connected (SAQ #69) and inter-related (the butterfly argument of the complex systems people, for instance). Trouble is, this sense has been used by those who exploit, and colonize, very effectively thereby wrecking general havoc. Now, another sense, is that we need to embrace the world (physical reality) as it is as much a part of the Kingdom as is the spiritual (SAQ #79). Yes, one example would be a creation-based science.

Modified: 02/24/2010