Ends and means

Month, Day: Will, Grandeur (Grace)
Month, Day: Will, Perfection (Glory)

Aqdas, #160: We have assigned to every end a means for its accomplishment; avail yourselves thereof, and place your trust and confidence in God, the Omniscient, the All-Wise.

This relates to a lot, even to the teleological contributions to evolution.

We can also use it to think about sufficiency.

Remarks:

10/02/2011 -- More on means.

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

12/27/2008 -- We know because of Questions.

11/22/2008 -- What is sufficient to see the means? The ends?

Modified: 10/02/2011

Evolution

Month, Day: Might, Dominion (Majesty)

SAQ #50 puts the proper wrinkle: All that we can say is that this terrestrial globe at one time did not exist, and at its beginning man did not appear upon it. But from the beginning which has no beginning, to the end which has no end, a Perfect Manifestation always exists. This Man of Whom we speak is not every man; we mean the Perfect Man. For the noblest part of the tree is the fruit, which is the reason of its existence. If the tree had no fruit, it would have no meaning. Therefore, it cannot be imagined that the worlds of existence, whether the stars or this earth, were once inhabited by the donkey, cow, mouse and cat, and that they were without man! This supposition is false and meaningless. The word of God is clear as the sun.

One can think of the ways that evolution was influenced spiritually; though, we are not to look back too far (4th point); that is, the progressive unfolding of the Manifestations has physical impacts.

Is not studying these to be part of science (broader connotation, of course)?

Remarks:

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

01/26/2010 -- Of note: Twin duties, Free will, Return, Operational time.

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.

05/29/2009 -- The Transcendent baffles.

Modified: 01/25/2011

Ether by any other name

Month, Day: Might, Names (Grace)

In SAQ #48, we see a reference to ether: If we wish to deny everything that is not sensible, then we must deny the realities which unquestionably exist. For example, ethereal matter is not sensible, though it has an undoubted existence. The power of attraction is not sensible, though it certainly exists. From what do we affirm these existences? From their signs. Thus this light is the vibration of that ethereal matter, and from this vibration we infer the existence of ether.

Some apologize for this use of the word. Why? Well, using it nowadays opens one up to much derision.

But, consider that `Abdu'l-Bahá may have known about that which he was talking. SAQ #48 explains the differences between plants and animals, as well as those between animals and man. Earlier, in SAQ #16, concern was raised about how symbols are required "to convey intellectual conceptions" which 'ether' in a sense is, a symbol, that is.

Lately, the Economist used 'ether' in a review of Frank Wilczek's book; the Economist had this to say about what Wilczek calls a 'grid': "What is perceived as empty space turns out to be a new kind of ether, a patchwork of quantum fields teeming with spontaneous activity, and the fundamental building block of nature."

The wit of the Economist notwithstanding, there are many other expositions, based upon very respectable worldviews, that dance around this subject that was briefly covered in SAQ #48; actually, no apology is necessary.

Remarks:

08/01/2012 --Ether, in a manner that is unavoidably true. Our task? Show how to handle the matter from a scientific (the wise interpretation, okay?) framework. And, audacity is not necessary.

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).

08/23/2009 -- I'll make it a little stronger. `Abdu'l-Bahá knew what he was talking about (SAQ #48): For example, ethereal matter is not sensible, though it has an undoubted existence. This is fairly definite.

06/05/2009 -- Light very much is something to study in this context.

11/17/2008 -- Consider Light and other topics for an extended science.

Modified: 08/01/2012

Mercy of Might

Month, Day: Might, Mercy (Glory)

From the Tablet of the Seven Questions (Lawḥ-i-Haft Pursish) p3.8: If thou desirest to be freed from affliction, recite thou this prayer which hath been revealed by the Pen of the All-Merciful: “O God, my God! I testify to Thy unity and to Thy oneness. I beseech Thee, O Thou Possessor of names and Fashioner of the heavens, by the pervasive influence of Thine exalted Word and the potency of Thy supreme Pen, to aid me with the ensigns of Thy power and might, and to protect me from the mischief of Thine enemies who have violated Thy Covenant and Thy Testament. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.” This invocation is an impregnable stronghold and an indomitable army. It conferreth protection and ensureth deliverance.

Some may see the use of Might and Mercy together as a contradiction, however there are several ways of looking at these two. For instance, why would not the epitome of Might show Mercy? Would not a solely destructive Might be anathema to any type of progression or construction (sorry for bordering on the tautological)?

One place where Mercy is not shown is in science (or, scientism, if you would), and this probably goes along with the strong leaning toward evolution and what it entails in conceptual terms, such as the notions like 'the survival of the fittest and others. Even in mathematics, many get the idea that a single false case can completely trash a theorem; generally, the more constructive attitudes allow that errors can be corrected and weaknesses shored up.

But, in the winner-take-all framework of the modern age, any would have to be fairly audacious when venturing outside the mainstream of thought, indomitable indeed. Of course, questions about operational foundations and methods would continue, hopefully augmented by UHJ participation in establishing the proper philosophical view. And, do we not know that there will be more Manifestations?

Remarks:

08/14/2009 -- We're starting the Operational, soon.

Modified: 08/14/2009

True wealth

Month, Day: Might, Glory (Grace)

The last post mentioned that a major focus of the world is 'pocket lining' which applies even to an egocentric attitude in science.

SAQ #15 discusses this topic of true wealth including defining this for the plant and the animal.

For humans, wealth does not involve acquisition of lofty assets or of statuesque accumulations, rather true wealth concerns: the divine appearances, the heavenly bounties, the sublime emotions, the love and knowledge of God; universal wisdom, intellectual perception, scientific discoveries, justice, equity, truthfulness, benevolence, natural courage and innate fortitude; the respect for rights and the keeping of agreements and covenants; rectitude in all circumstances; serving the truth under all conditions; the sacrifice of one’s life for the good of all people; kindness and esteem for all nations; obedience to the teachings of God; service in the Divine Kingdom; the guidance of the people, and the education of the nations and races.