Will and knowing

Month, Day: 167, Perfection, Knowledge (Majesty)

Yesterday, we saw Will come up after the long sequence through the Transcendent and Teleological groups.

Will, the third of the Operational, is so important for autonomous action (including Audacity).

And, one principle guidance is the Twin duties pair, namely knowing and then obeying. We are given the means, and Might, to follow through properly. Yet, what says this for the proper framework for science?

Valley of Contentment: Although to outward view, the wayfarers in this Valley may dwell upon the dust, yet inwardly they are throned in the heights of mystic meaning; they eat of the endless bounties of inner significances, and drink of the delicate wines of the spirit.

Remarks:

10/02/2011 -- More on means.

08/31/2010 -- Again, Will and knowing.

Modified: 10/02/2011

Singleness

Month, Day: 166, Honour, Dominion (Beauty)

Let's be more specific, conceptually, and the details will follow. Return is addressed several places. Are allusions implied? Yes and no, as it depends. That we see recurrence of a nature that science ignores is the key issue. Everyone can see these things as they will.

Now, taking the thought further, we need to look at the arguments against reincarnation. This does not mean to argue against any one's belief. It basically is provided for its potential for explaining some things that seem to antithetical to scientism.

SAQ #82: The first argument for its impossibility is that the outward is the expression of the inward; the earth is the mirror of the Kingdom; the material world corresponds to the spiritual world. Now observe that in the sensible world appearances are not repeated, for no being in any respect is identical with, nor the same as, another being. The sign of singleness is visible and apparent in all things. If all the granaries of the world were full of grain, you would not find two grains absolutely alike, the same and identical without any distinction.

Consider this. The growth of our prowess with abstraction (nonsense, to certain views) has led us along perdition-bound paths to the detriment of all. That the best and brightest have been allowed to game finance into an unbalanced state rests more on the complexities brought by computation, and its mathematical basis, than on mere human frailties. We can correct this.

Too, abstraction's gift to science is similar and has led to a divergence from reality and knowledge. Strong statement, I know. We can support it fully. So, we know that God controls creation; yet, that operational method is not mathematically founded. Not in the usual sense that is commonly accepted.

Not only are things different at the meta-atomic level, so too are they atomically, and perhaps below. The consequence? A type of memory that, when we learn how to use it, can phenomenally change our lives.

We've see the 'sun' in the atom (Seven Valleys). We have not, yet, seen this force. Know what? Its use will not be as readily found as was that in the 1940's use of atomic power. Too, it'll require human interaction; therefore, any with notions of the isolation of the best and brightest (we've seen this start with the financial imbalance) will be counter productive.

How long will this all take? It'll probably be beyond my time; yet, I can express the main component of the basis - psychether.

There you have it, folks.

Afterword: We have only 1 more day before the Ascendants begin our climb to the New Year and the energy burst.

Remarks:

01/25/2012 -- Yes, still at it. Ready to be more audacious. What we're looking for has to do with mind; at some point, it will be allowed by science that we can observe effects (actually, predict, to boot - one step forward will be a more insightful mathematics).

05/17/2011 -- Stephen gets press.

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

02/24/2010 -- Ascendant to Transcendent.

Modified: 01/25/2012

The Key

Month, Day: 166, Honour, Words (Justice)

As said before, there will be a focused effort on bringing an understanding to the philosophy of science regarding the spiritual. That is, we need more than a mere operational stance, as this notion is a primal issue.

Firstly, we know that there is the knowledge. The boom in scientific coverage over Creation the past two hundred years is full of examples, and there is more to come.

Aqdas #14: Thus doth the Lord make plain the ways of truth and guidance, ways that lead to one way, which is this Straight Path. Render thanks unto God for this most gracious favour; offer praise unto Him for this bounty that hath encompassed the heavens and the earth; extol Him for this mercy that hath pervaded all creation.

Secondly, there is the 'key' which has more than an intellectual, or contemplative, role. Of course, one can point to the individual's ideals and improvements as being important. Yet, the sum of humanity's attributes, of any sort, are not the whole of much. This we need to demonstrate as clearly as were Euclid's notions (why go back that far? a counterbalance to the girth of abstract nonsense).

Aqdas #15: Say: God hath made My hidden love the key to the Treasure; would that ye might perceive it! But for the key, the Treasure would to all eternity have remained concealed; would that ye might believe it!

Finally, explicit plunking of this as a factor is not what we're talking either. Rather, in the Writings are embedded what is necessary for the proper basis. Our task? Again, to demonstrate this, partly by character and also by insight.

Aqdas, Notes #23: Wishing to reveal Thyself, Thou didst call into being the Greater and the Lesser Worlds, and didst choose Man above all Thy creatures, and didst make Him a sign of both of these worlds, O Thou Who art our Lord, the Most Compassionate! Thou didst raise Him up to occupy Thy throne before all the people of Thy creation. Thou didst enable Him to unravel Thy mysteries, and to shine with the lights of Thine inspiration and Thy Revelation, and to manifest Thy names and Thine attributes. Through Him Thou didst adorn the preamble of the book of Thy creation, O Thou Who art the Ruler of the universe Thou hast fashioned!

As one looks at the arguments of the brights, and others, the notion of the looming giant abounds, even if it is just done as an allusion (and even unconsciously). Now, that thinking of the avatar of everything has the corollary of trashing the small and the weak. Too, it's part of the mistake of thinking that the return of the Prophet will be with glory and power and military might which is really antithetical to Christ's Reality.

Also, we were told, more than once, that all can witness God's influence in their lives (Iqan #233: The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit.). In fact, some of the more lowly are of a greater stature, in to-be-described spaces, than those whose facilities with processing data (sense, language, and such) are superior. Actually, those who excel at the sensual (of a connotation far beyond the mere erotic, folks) do have analogs in the animal kingdom.

To be bold, it is the best and brightest to which that refers who essentially screw up the world with their machinations. The financial downturn is a recent example. There are too many to describe here. Plus, the adage of the sin-covering eye probably kicks in. Counter to that, though, is protecting the innocent, weak, and innumeracy'd.

That, folks, is the role of the autodidact (Independent Investigation of the Truth). And, have a Creation-based framework is one item to discuss.

Aside: The financial mess came from two things: human frailities and computation. Now, the first is age-old (why else the need for the Manifestation to return?). The second is new and not very well understood. Its basis is largely undecidable, yet many of the best and brightest do not accept that. Hubris? Too, computation is easily manipulated, analogous to the adage about the capability of statistics of being used to support any argument. Hence, market frameworks, that would not exist without the computational advances, can be gamed (and they are, folks). Regulators and administrators (read the political realm) are powerless to handle the complications. So, the affairs will remain messy. Question? Where are the Baha'i economists, and bankers, talking the proper view? Staying mum due to not having mastered the realm (dismal that it is) is no excuse, as understanding is not possible (von Neumann said that about mathematics); the 4th Valley's allusions (Were all the denizens of earth and heaven to unravel this shining allusion, this darksome riddle, until the Day when the Trumpet soundeth, yet would they fail to comprehend even a letter thereof, for this is the station of God’s immutable decree, His foreordained mystery. Hence, when searchers inquired of this, He made reply, “This is a bottomless sea which none shall ever fathom.” And they asked again, and He answered, “It is the blackest of nights through which none can find his way.” ) are supportive of that notion. We'll be going into these types of concrete issues more often in 2010. Why cannot the Faith be used to found a more stable structure? Economic, that is, not militarily supported power. And, economic is a more

Remarks:

08/31/2012 -- Names, Knowledge, Independence.

05/17/2011 -- Stephen gets press.

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

04/04/2011 -- We'll be looking at things like foreknowledge, as an example of our attributes that approximate.

03/17/2011 -- Just as St. Patrick carried the message, so too ought we act to bring forth a proper viewpoint.

03/10/2010 -- A duty, know the Transcendent.

01/08/2010 -- Underdetermination is the main state, that is, of the human without the spiritual assists that are readily at hand.

Modified: 08/31/2012

But, of course

Month, Day: 166, Speech, Speech (Beauty)
Month, Day: 166, Speech, Questions (Perfection)

Before Questions, the basis of science, we would have praise and prayer.

Aqdas #31: Then, with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.
Aqdas #12: It hath been ordained that obligatory prayer is to be performed by each of you individually.

SAQ #62: Therefore, children, in return for this care and trouble, must show forth charity and beneficence, and must implore pardon and forgiveness for their parents.

Without Speech, what would we not have?

----

There are very many references that could be used.

One particular prayer says this: ... they may busy themselves at the Threshold of Thy oneness with servitude and worship, with salutation, adoration and praise. “I have not created spirits and men, but that they should worship me.”

The Motivational would deal with goals. How to be independent, yet world embracing in the proper mode, meaning non-hubris-tic?

This time of the year is definitely a time to consider the yearly measure. We're in the 14th month of 19. Looking forward, we have Questions and Honour prior to the time of the Ascendant, especially Loftiness.

---

We can remind ourselves about this.

• The Valley of Contentment: The tongue faileth in describing these three Valleys, and speech falleth short. The pen steppeth not into this region, the ink leaveth only a blot. In these planes, the nightingale of the heart hath other songs and secrets, which make the heart to stir and the soul to clamor, but this mystery of inner meaning may be whispered only from heart to heart, confided only from breast to breast.
• The Third Valley: The denizens of this plane speak no words—but they gallop their chargers. They see but the inner reality of the Beloved. To them all words of sense are meaningless, and senseless words are full of meaning.

There is an interesting thing to note in this regard. There are aspects of mathematics that relate to being, namely that which the human does and that which the computer performs. Yet, much of the discipline is language'd and can be spoken. Only to a certain extent, though, as we see with the inability to express some concepts in a native language, that is speak out the meaning of what is represented in a whole collection of mathematics. No, rather there are different rules that are applied.

But, some type of association with 'being' as it involves Creation must be describable via mathematics, as we see with operational effectiveness, even though none of the Writings can be said to be so formal (but, embedded are metaphors, etc.).

Remarks:

02/24/2010 -- Ascendant to Transcendent.

12/21/2009 -- More on the diagonal or square'd days.
Modified: 02/24/2010

Our power

Month, Day: 166, Power, Glory (Majesty)
Month, Day: 166, Power, Light (Beauty)

The Operational is done for the year, except for those monthly occurrences of days (Names, Might, Will, Knowledge).

The Motivational, which just started, consists of Power, Speech, Questions (basis for science), Honour.

We humans have several types of power, including the ability to use tools which causes all sorts of artifacts to abound. For the most part, our prowess has, can have, benefits (ever-advancing civilization). These we need to understand better.

Too, we have mental powers. Here, hubris can run amok as we see. How to dampen? Well, one way is prayer and thoughtful reflection on the Writings.

How does, or can, that impact our abilities to do science? Well, we know that we can know some things a priori, in the Kantian sense as well as that related to the Transcendent and the Teleological. But, there are limits as we have been told (4th Valley: Were all the denizens of earth and heaven to unravel this shining allusion, this darksome riddle, until the Day when the Trumpet soundeth, yet would they fail to comprehend even a letter thereof, for this is the station of God’s immutable decree, His foreordained mystery. Hence, when searchers inquired of this, He made reply, “This is a bottomless sea which none shall ever fathom.” And they asked again, and He answered, “It is the blackest of nights through which none can find his way.” ). Some of the limits are Operational, such as that type described by Heisenberg, and some result from analytic-synthetic dynamics, requiring acknowledgment for the quasi-empirical framework.

In short, we need to know better the two ways of knowing and doing.

Remarks:

11/16/2010 -- What can science know?

11/20/2009 -- For the Motivational group: Our power, Power of music, Power is.

Modified: 11/16/2010

Operational IV

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

As we leave the Operational times, a final thought might be in order. 2nd Valley: This station conferreth the true standard of knowledge, and freeth man from tests. In this realm, to search after knowledge is irrelevant, for He hath said concerning the guidance of travelers on this plane, “Fear God, and God will instruct thee.” And again: “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.”

The Motivational starts with Power.

Remarks:

11/21/2010 -- What motivates, indeed.

Modified: 11/11/2010

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

Twin duties

Month, Day: 166, Might, Perfection (Grace)

A couple of posts mentioned the duties: Transcendent, again and Operational II. We're in the Operational group at this time, hence the theme is apropos: know and obey. The ultimate goal is to know the Manifestation, then observing 'every ordinance' is imperative.

One could argue that evolution works on this theme in a cyclic manner. The Seven Valleys can be used to describe, in part, the dynamics. Look at the month of Knowledge in this post. The triad of Search/Love/Knowledge can be seen as the know part, in the following sense. We have sensor (afferent) nerves, that allow us to judge what is out there beyond ourselves, and action (efferent) nerves, which allow us to act in that real world out there. In Search, there is to be infinite patience as we deal interminably with life. Then, in Love, we differentiate what we are perceiving and how we react. Knowledge drives the incremental learning, assuming that things are working right.

Then, we have Unity as a bridge which is of immense significance. As part of the knowing is being able to see the evidences of the Manifestation. Some describe this ability as some gift (that is, nothing that ought to found hubris) whose properties we do not understand. But, the rudiments of observing are here.

For the obeying to be maximal, we need to continue upward. For now, let's just remember that we're talking Contentment (who ever said that the set on the observance side was constrained - actually, it is not), Wonderment (which needs no further explanation), and finally the last of the Seven Valleys, namely True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness.

Now, the description of the last Valley suggests that these Seven can be traversed in a step, but that there is no ultimate end here (since it is "the first gate of the heart’s citadel"). That is, one can think chord, repeating cycle, and similar.

Why? To continue learning and improving through obeying. What audacity asks is how does this help hone an effective ontology? That is, from applying the know/obey moral of the Twin Duties.

Remarks:

03/10/2010 -- A duty, know the Transcendent.

12/23/2009 -- About the chordal.

09/16/2009 -- We've only looked at a stimulus/response dual without regard to how perception handles the non-autonomous part. However, the brain, and more, will come into play as we go along. In terms of Love, we need to look at attractors, and their complement, knowing that they are two sides of the same thing.

Modified: 03/10/2010

Understanding

Month, Day: 166, Names, Dominion (Beauty)

Some of these posts are place markers for topics that need further study and discussion. Just like evolution is controversial, so too is understanding (which can be related to comprehension).

Now, anyone with aptitude knows about understanding; in fact, we see success all around from this gift's application. Yet, we know, too, that there is more that is undecidable than there is that is not, even for humans.

This applies to our use of technology which can lead to some views that try to demean the human spirit not without counter views, though, whose basis for argument seems to get more limited in the process. Why? The demeaners are fairly effective at adapting.

As asked before, how can the Writings and, Creation-based science, be used to weigh in on the discussion? That question is meant to be rhetorical and audacious.

For instance, can a machine have understanding? Is this like asking whether (SAQ #55) a vegetable can have animal spirit or an animal can have human spirit? Can that question be formalized to the extent of allowing some technical discussion that has operational meaning?

We know that we humans have understanding. We also know that understanding can be obtained by effort or by gift (can we separate intuition?). And, we know that we're to make the effort; that there are the undecidables bring us to the Sisyphus state (yes, it's true).

So, operationally, how far can we go? Consider this. the Fourth Valley: "Obey Me and I will make you like unto Myself. I say Be and it is. You will say Be and it will be."

See any limits implied? "Herein the high heavens are in no conflict with the lowly earth, nor do they seek to excel it, for this is the land of mercy, not the realm of distinction"

Note: Mathematics, with its axiomatic basis, builds mounds or discovers those already there (basic ontological difference). Any effort at understanding a whole theoretic peak is local, though it seems otherwise. That which encompasses peaks (albeit, via surface interaction or, perhaps, a few probes) is intuition. Where mathematics and intuition (albeit, one that is trained - to be defined) differ, we ought to be suspect (topsy-turvy, thanks Chaitin, comes into play). Of course, all this is arguable, though Names is the beginning of the chain of evidence.

Remarks:

02/24/2010 -- Ascendant to Transcendent.

10/11/2009 -- Will, an operational imperative for science.

09/26/2009 -- An issue for the Operational view.

Modified: 02/24/2010

Operational II

Month, Day: 166, Names, Light (Perfection)

Lets get started laying out the Operational framework. So, some definitions are in order. Also, this is sketchy, by design, to show the extent of the ontological potential.

We'll start with the members of this Group and expand.

• Names - basic issue is 'a priori' structure, rather than primordial ooze [applies to the issues surrounding evolution], see discussions of a sea of attributes from which coalesce objects [relativistic dialectic, for one], but Teleological says structure is inherent, so we, then, have the entities and their attributes, such as properties and behavior and ...
  
• Might - for entities, especially when behavior is brought in (which actually includes the vegetative spirit), actuation is the focus, how are things accomplished?, quite a qualitative difference when animal spirit comes into play, ...
  
• Will - then, once behavior is possible, how is it controlled?, see Knowledge for choice dynamics,
  
• Knowledge - has congruence with the Seven Valleys, consider the following:

1. Search/Love/Knowledge - Search (chaotic, utter blackness with directional signals, [blackest of nights, deepest sea (4th Valley)], movement, eternal energy, volition, ...), Love (attractors and their complements, implying some resonance with the proper directionals, yet fluid enough to not be considered final [is it ever?], 'loftiness mount' (Prayer for the departed) as metaphor [as opposed, to black hole, that is - eternal Source, not sink], hence, optimization rather than minimization?, homeostasis, ..., ), Knowledge (now we get into principle directions, allowing choice between better and not so, hence progress, measurement, ...)
   
2. Unity --a bridge twixt ...
   
3. Contentment/Wonderment/True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness - every thing here is on the proper side, ..., but the chordal aspect (... These journeys have no visible ending in the world of time ... this station is the first gate of the heart’s citadel ...), again, ...

Remarks:

11/21/2010 -- What motivates, indeed.

12/23/2009 -- About the chordal.

09/26/2009 -- An issue for the Operational view.

09/06/2009 -- Essentially, more is undecidable than we like to admit, basically due to our talent for success (ergodicity, essentially) keeps the hubris refreshed (generation by generation).

08/25/2009 -- This relates to the twin duties: know (... first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation ...) and obey (... It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. ...).

That is, follow the attractors to the Manifestation; then, live the precepts identified by the Manifestation.

Also, types are primal.

11/21/2010

Science, again

Month, Day: Perfection, Sovereignty (Perfection)

Only a couple of more days to the Operational. As it has been said, science is how we know God's creation (audacity), and we can honor being.

Some fore thoughts might be in order, to set the stage.

First, we have access to the proper sources.

Aqdas #183: Say: This is the infallible Balance which the Hand of God is holding, in which all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth are weighed, and their fate determined, if ye be of them that believe and recognize this truth. Say: This is the Most Great Testimony, by which the validity of every proof throughout the ages hath been established, would that ye might be assured thereof

Then, we can differentiate using our understanding.

SAQ #47: For example, if a man of his own mind and intelligence collects some elements and combines them, a living being will not be brought into existence since the system is unnatural. This is the answer to the implied question that, since beings are made by the composition and the combination of elements, why is it not possible for us to gather elements and mingle them together, and so create a living being. This is a false supposition, for the origin of this composition is from God; it is God Who makes the combination, and as it is done according to the natural system, from each composition one being is produced, and an existence is realized. A composition made by man produces nothing because man cannot create.

Of course, as said before, none of us can do this infallibly. No, but there is a functional equivalent in the new way, namely the UHJ. Think of it this way, for measures, we have agreement based upon some physical property and congruence of thoughts on interpretation. So, it goes for other standards. Similarly, we'll have some type of device to record the UHJ's insights on a decision, implying a computational framework and the associated 'truth' engineering. By the way, this does beg the question of the role in logic (propositional or whatever) for contents from the Writings.

And, we do have the right to try to push back the frontiers of knowledge. Science is based upon Questions and the quasi-empirical.

Why audacity? Well, to stand up to the disclaims of the Lights and the Brights, for one thing. We really need to integrate from the disparate views created by reductionism and materialism, partly through the growing facilities that we'll see from our ubiquitous computational (via mineral, via biology, and via spirit) prowess.

Yes, no limit (The key: Obey Me and I will make you like unto Myself. I say Be and it Is. You will say Be and it will be.).

Remarks:

09/17/2010 -- God's gift of science.

11/23/2009 -- Motivational thoughts.

09/26/2009 -- An issue for the Operational view.

Modified: 09/17/2010

Ontology from Honour

Month, Day: Perfection, Questions (Glory)
Month, Day: Perfection, Honour (Beauty)

Anticipating Names (and the Operational), we can use Honour to kick off some discussion to begin to construct a new view for science. Such an attempt could help overlay the results from materialism and reductionism with a coherent integrative view that would allow spirit some recognition.

Testable? Yes.

Now, this work would not invalidate, by necessity, knowledge obtained to date. No, it would be like mechanical Newtonian views being extended through concepts that came about through grappling with relativity.

The Four Valleys can help get us started.

The First Valley: Hereafter We will show them Our signs in the regions of the earth, and in themselves, until it become manifest unto them that it is the truth.

As well, we have the first world, namely mineral. That is, matter and existence at its primal; Names, in other words. So, things are (SAQ #79). Each atom is a door to knowledge (paraphrase). Attributes: being, place, ...

The Second Valley: ... this is the station of primal reason.

The mineral supports the spirits, beginning with the vegetative (SAQ #36, SAQ #55). It is more than happenstance that the tree can be used to represent logic.

From a computational sense, we've seen analog and digital types represents by the mineral (and electromagnetism). Some have looked at bioinformatics, especially at the micro-biological level. Yet, what other types will emerge? A macro-biological variety is of interest, to boot.

Attributes: growth, awareness, ...

Any movement is constrained. Autonomous activity comes up next.

The Third Valley: ... but they gallop their chargers.

The next of the spirits is the animal (SAQ #36, SAQ #55). Here we have movement of a very wide variety. Again, computation has only briefly touched this (swarms, etc.).

Attributes: sensation, movement, homeostasis, ...

The Fourth Valley: Herein the high heavens are in no conflict with the lowly earth, nor do they seek to excel it, for this is the land of mercy, not the realm of distinction

Then, we have the human spirit (SAQ #36, SAQ #55) with its limitlessness, especially the facility to run off after abstraction. We need to turn things around to get mathematics based upon matter and more. What will this look like?

Attributes: Any and All

As a final note, we can't leave Perfection without mentioning this. SAQ #46: Now, if we imagine a time when man belonged to the animal world, or when he was merely an animal, we shall find that existence would have been imperfect—that is to say, there would have been no man, and this chief member, which in the body of the world is like the brain and mind in man, would have been missing.

Remarks:

09/26/2009 -- An issue for the Operational view.

08/16/2009 -- The Operational group is approaching, and ontology is primal. One area of focus, as suggested by this post, will be mind-body studies. Somehow, insights from the Writings ought to have importance, teleological and operational.

Modified: 09/26/2009

Perfection, remix

Month, Day: Words, Dominion (Majesty)
Month, Day: Perfection, Splendour (Glory)

Well, Words is winding down. It's still the Teleological times. But, thoughts on Perfection seem to want to well with the associated words.

Things that come to mind are Ideal, Sinlessness, etc. There are several discussions about this, such as SAQ 45# .

'Ideal' here is much more than the limited conceptualization of philosophy (except the Platonic version has some appeal).

Right after this month, we'll be into the Operational with Names. Perhaps, Perfection can be used to ponder Names, Might, Will, and Knowledge. That first? It's essential to analysis and technology.

...

This time comes in the middle of the summer in the northern hemisphere, with those days of mature crop advancing to the harvest which is around the corner. One might say, too, time to enjoy the fruits of the labor.

Of course, in the new day, crops are coming to maturity almost all year around, depending up climate and technology. Yet, the pattern will persist.

Hence, thoughts on Perfection are in order, thinking of the gifts of Creation, including, of course, that we can study it via science, yet, the greater gift is that we can live in it as beings. Ah, the science of being? Will that be where audacity can play?

7V4V Knowledge: The wayfarer in this Valley seeth in the fashionings of the True One nothing save clear providence, and at every moment saith: “No defect canst thou see in the creation of the God of Mercy: Repeat the gaze: Seest thou a single flaw?”

Remarks:

08/05/2009 -- We'll look at SAQ #37 more in the context of how the Teleological influences.

Modified: 08/05/2009

Seven sins

Month, Day: Words, Questions (Perfection)

We just had Speech as the month winds down toward Perfection, still in the Teleological.

Speaking of that, Frank McCourt brought some humor to the topic of religion which allows us a moment for reflection on some teachings. Take the seven sins, for example. That the cardinality of the sins is seven is significant; we see that number occur in many contexts. The main one is that the weekly cycle has 7 days.

The Writings include the 7 Valleys which are a central theme, even to cognition. So, one might think about how these relate to the sin/virtue pairings.

What order there is in these pairings is not usually explained, yet we can easily make some sense like the following listing shows.

• 1 - Search -- Sloth/Diligence
• 2 - Love -- Gluttony/Temperance
  
• 3 - Knowledge --Lust/Chastity
• 4 - Unity-- Greed/Charity
• 5 - Contentment -- Envy/Kindness
  
• 6 - Wonderment -- Wrath/Patience
  
• 7 - True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness -- Pride/Humility

Some of these seem obvious, such as #1 and #7. Some of the others are debatable, some more than others, naturally. It might be worthwhile to ponder this somewhat.

There are many types of sins beyond these seven. They're of interest due to the cardinality.

But, a look at these and the virtues is not complete without considering sinlessness.

Modified: 07/30/2009

Leaders and followers

Month, Day: Words, Speech (Beauty)

As the Bard wrote, don't be a lender or a borrower (expressed more flowery than this, of course). We can alter that slightly to neither a leader nor a follower be. That is, I may not want to cast a shadow yet don't appreciate that your need to do so (think of this in terms of those who interpose themselves between people and God). This usage is partly motivated by the comment in the Aqdas that no one, when the human race matures, would want to step up to be king. Of course, we all would be king, yet we would not subject others; rather we would serve others willingly.

Now, in terms of audacity and the autodidact, we can think of our cognitive states as a place to start looking at this dilemma. Why? Explaining the mind is puzzling to any but the most strident views. The SAQ #56 offers a model that has some power when considered via reflection in this context. That is, we have a common faculty that maps from the senses to our spiritual powers.

These spiritual powers are, in a sequence from the SAQ #56 example: imagination, thought, comprehension, memory. An interesting thing to ponder is that light is handled by the eye, but there maybe more involved. For instance, does light have attributes that are handled via the imagination? See below for further discussion on how to handle.

The SAQ #56 example pertained to our perception of an external situation or object. Now, the sequence could be any permutation, such as some cognitive state arising from memory. This SAQ-based model ought to (and can) be looked at from the context of modern cognitive science. We're in the mode where our physical entities are being probed by science continually, yet, no place within the framework allows that any motive, or will, arises via our spirit. It is asked: how can science do that?

As with any modern view, the stress of reductionism and materialism keeps any attempt at a new integrative view from seeing light. That the Writings can offer a basis for such attempts has been said many times here.

Now, that statement brings in the Attribute classes, namely Transcendent, Teleological, Operational, Motivation, Ascendant. We are now in the second, dealing with Words. Up next is Perfection.

The power of this grouping, though it is only one of many, is that subsequent timeframes build on the others. In fact, the idea of cycle is central to the theme (small analog of Progressive Revelation). As an aside, it's interesting that just as we might think that we're getting some handle on this, along comes the Ascendant group which leads to Loftiness and, of course, to the new iteration.

Can the Operational group (Names, Might, Will, Knowledge) provide some hint at both descriptive and explanatory means which would be supported by experimentation? That the experiments are limited to thought types, in the beginning, is no argument against the attempt, as quasi-empiricism in mathematics suggests just that sort of thing (see Lakatos).

As a final thought, we need to bring the 4 Valleys into the discussion, too, as they can map to the message of SAQ #56.

Remarks:

10/11/2009 -- Will, an operational imperative for science.

09/06/2009 -- Essentially, more is undecidable than we like to admit, basically due to our talent for success (ergodicity, essentially) keeps the hubris refreshed (generation by generation).

08/16/2009 -- The Operational group is approaching, and ontology is primal. One area of focus, as suggested by this post, will be mind-body studies. Somehow, insights from the Writings ought to have importance, teleological and operational.

Modified: 10/11/2009

In the beginning

Month, Day: Words, Words (Glory)

This is a type of square-day that we see each month. In a table that would have the months as columns and the days as rows, we would have these days on the diagonal. They ought to give us pause on occasion, namely a change to ponder significance (Contentment) every month.

As the Title implies, this month deals with LOGOS and more. In terms of the former, SAQ #42 is a wonderful source: Without the irrefutable teachings of those sources of mysteries the human world would become the pasture of animal appetites and qualities, the existence of everything would be unreal, and there would be no true life. That is why it is said in the Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word,” meaning that it became the cause of all life.

Then, we see this further on: In like manner, when the Holy Manifestation of God, Who is the sun of the world of His creation, shines upon the worlds of spirits, of thoughts and of hearts, then the spiritual spring and new life appear, the power of the wonderful springtime becomes visible, and marvelous benefits are apparent.

There is then a suggestion that we could look at the "the signs and bounties of each of the Holy Manifestations" for insights. Now, considering that we were counseled to not look too much to the past and to act now and to look to the future (paraphrase), too much effort at this could be wasteful, in several senses.

Except for science which we were told was central to knowing God (paraphrase). Many of the dilemmas of the modern mind, as it tries to grasp with issues of underdetermination can be traced back to what might be missing. Consider, the SAQ (see #46, for example) talks about the long timeframe of man's progression.

The audacious view (not necessarily autodidactic) would provide the role to consider how Manifestations guided us throughout that long chain. Associated with this would be mapping progress of the past 200 years back to cognitive changes that seem to have an apparent point of appearance that is more than mere coincidence.

Now, one consequence from audacity will be to have a Creation-based science that marvels at nature (see WSJ 07/16/09 -Nature Was The Teacher). One change from the latest spiritual burst is obvious in abstract thinking's success in founding change and progress as witnessed in the modern age with engineering and science.

Though quasi-empiricism would ask why the 'unreasonable effectiveness' to which we can offer some thought about what is sufficient, the siren call of technology fosters hubris that thrusts our models forward as more complete than their creation counterpart leading to a topsy-turvy state that emphasizes what the elite can see as of more importance than it can be since all can know God.

Remarks:

12/21/2009 -- More on the diagonal or square'd days.

08/16/2009 -- The Operational group is approaching, and ontology is primal. One area of focus, as suggested by this post, will be mind-body studies. Somehow, insights from the Writings ought to have importance, teleological and operational.

08/05/2009 -- We'll look at SAQ #37 more in the context of how the Teleological influences.

Modified: 12/21/2009

The Teleological

Month, Day: Splendour, Words (Independence)
Month, Day: Splendour, Perfection (Glory)

In the context of audacity, there is much to this group (Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection). Particulars related to mathematics also pertain to the Operational (Names, Might, Will, Knowledge) group, starting with Names.

Perfection allows that we always have, and can know, ideals.

HW #76: Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds.

SAQ #54: Now the writing emanates from the writer, and the discourse emanates from the speaker, and in the same way the human spirit emanates from God.
7V4V Knowledge: The wayfarer in this Valley seeth in the fashionings of the True One nothing save clear providence, and at every moment saith: “No defect canst thou see in the creation of the God of Mercy: Repeat the gaze: Seest thou a single flaw?”
Remarks:

11/23/2009 -- Motivational thoughts.

08/13/2009 -- Return applies under the Teleological.

05/29/2009 -- The Transcendent baffles.

Modified: 11/23/2009

Perfection squared

Month, Day: Loftiness, Perfection (Perfection)

We see a square day in the month of Perfection, yet it could be a triple day with the month, day of the month, and the day of the week all the same. The other Attributes that can be thusly aligned are Glory and Beauty.

Light is just past, followed by Mercy.

Light? Yes, it goes amongst all worlds. Interesting possibilities can arise from proper reflection on this. Is that allowed? Well, science is as open as it can be, and limit testing is allowed. Otherwise? What good would science be? Too, real limits would become known, as we saw with Heisenberg's insights.

Aqdas #126: In the Bayán it had been forbidden you to ask Us questions. The Lord hath now relieved you of this prohibition, that ye may be free to ask what you need to ask, but not such idle questions as those on which the men of former times were wont to dwell.

From Wonderment: “O Son, if thou art able not to sleep, then thou art able not to die. And if thou art able not to waken after sleep, then thou shalt be able not to rise after death.”

Too, Light is involved with connections, as we see with this bit-oriented space with which we are enthralled.

From Wonderment: Consider the difference between these two worlds and the mysteries which they conceal, that thou mayest attain to divine confirmations and heavenly discoveries and enter the regions of holiness.

Mercy. Yes, a necessity.

The real mystery? Words!

As said before, the order of the Attributes has some type of meaning for us. For instance, one can think of groupings, like this. A caveat, to anticipate undo criticism, is that this is only one of an infinitely large set of arrangements.

• Splendour, Glory, Beauty, Grandeur -- Aqdas #142: Verily, He revealed certain laws so that, in this Dispensation, the Pen of the Most High might have no need to move in aught but the glorification of His own transcendent Station and His most effulgent Beauty.

• Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection -- the teleological

• Names, Might, Will, Knowledge -- our operational apparatus

• Power, Speech, Questions, Honour -- our mode of, motivation for, control

• Sovereignty, Dominion, Loftiness -- ascendant, transcendent

Remarks:

08/27/2012 -- Today, we have another type of double day.


06/25/2011 -- There are also days where the week day and the month day coincide. Like today, Glory, Glory of Mercy. And, tomorrow, Beauty, Beauty of Mercy.

12/21/2009 -- More on the diagonal or square'd days.
03/19/2009 -- Science and knowing are key.

Modified: 08/27/2012

Two times

Month, Day: Dominion, Knowledge (Grace)

In a proper science, we can (will) find sufficiency.

7V4V, Unity: In thine outward appearance, thou tellest of the appearance of power in the realms of divine creation; in thine inward being thou revealest the hidden mysteries which are the divine trust deposited within thee.

SAQ #15: These virtues do not appear from the reality of man except through the power of God and the divine teachings, for they need supernatural power for their manifestation. It may be that in the world of nature a trace of these perfections may appear, but they are unstable and ephemeral; they are like the rays of the sun upon the wall.

Remarks:

01/25/2011 -- What would be a comprehensive view of phenomena?

Modified: 01/25/2011