C2 Unification of Mind and World by exploring what is essential
The Philosophy Of Freedom By Rudolf Steiner
Chapter 2, The Fundamental Desire For Knowledge
"To transform the unfree realm into the realm of free activity is the task of self-development."
Unification of Mind and World by exploring what is essential
- Cultivate a balanced approach to life by embracing both the essential facts of the world around us and the essence of Nature found within us to discover the connecting link that unites Self and World.
This self-actualization principle emphasizes the importance of exploring the relationship between one's inner self and the external world., bridging the divide between internal experiences and external reality. It encourages individuals to engage in self-reflection and expand their understanding of the world around them. By integrating the world's content into our thoughts and fostering a harmonious relationship with our surroundings, we can reconnect with our sense of unity and find personal fulfillment.
Summary of Chapter 2 The Fundamental Desire For Knowledge
This chapter discusses the innate human desire to pursue knowledge, driven by our dissatisfaction with merely observing the world around us. Perception separates us from the world, thinking reunites us each in our own way. We are compelled to seek a deeper understanding of the world and find explanations for the phenomena we encounter. This urge to know stems from our inherent need to bridge the gap between the Self and the World, which arises as soon as we begin to think. Satisfaction is only achieved when we reconcile the world-content with our thought-content, allowing us to rediscover the unity. By integrating our experiences and observations into our thoughts, we can find our place within the universe and ultimately fulfill our desire for knowledge.
Materialism fails to unify the Self and the World because it overlooks the interconnectedness between them. Instead of focusing on the Self, materialism attributes the power of thinking to matter, which doesn't solve the problem.
Spiritism focuses on the idea that the spirit is the primary reality disregarding the material world. Spiritists seek to understand the world by emphasizing the role of consciousness and the spiritual realm. However, spiritism fails to unify the Self and the World because it denies the importance of the material world and relies solely on the experiences of mind.
Both materialism and spiritism fail to fully account for the relationship between the Self and the World. A more comprehensive understanding can be achieved by recognizing and exploring what is essential within ourselves and the world around us to discover the unity between the Self and the World.
Desire For Knowledge and Its Role in Self-Actualization
The chapter relates to self-actualization by emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between Self and World in realizing one's full potential. The self-actualization principle "Unify Self and World" by exploring what is essential within and around us highlights the need to understand both our inner selves and the external world to achieve a harmonious and fulfilled existence. The pursuit of knowledge is a fundamental aspect of self-actualization. By seeking explanations and understanding of the phenomena around us, we strive to make the world-content into our thought-content. This process allows us to reconcile our existence within the universe and find unity between our inner selves and the external world. Consequently, it fosters self-actualization by enabling us to grow and develop as individuals, achieving a more profound connection with the world and a deeper understanding of our place within it.
Elena's Story
Elena, a curious and imaginative young woman, had always been fascinated by the world around her. As a child, she reveled in the feeling of unity and connection with the world. However, as she grew older and began to develop thoughts and ideas of her own, she felt a growing separation between herself and the world she once felt so connected to. This disconnection left her with an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction and many questions driving an insatiable desire for knowledge.
Seeking to restore her lost sense of unity, Elena embarked on a self-actualization journey exploring what is essential in a search to unify mind and world. She believed that through a deeper understanding of the world and her place in it, she could bridge the gap between her thoughts and the world around her.
Elena began by exploring various avenues of knowledge. She delved into religion, searching for answers to her existential questions and seeking solace in the revelations granted by a higher power. However, she found that blind faith in religious teachings alone couldn't satisfy her quest for true knowledge.
She turned to art, experimenting with different mediums and using her creativity to express her inner thoughts and feelings. Through her artistic endeavors, she was able to reconcile her inner world with the external one to some extent. But Elena recognized that without critical thinking, her creations lacked the depth and understanding she sought.
In her pursuit of knowledge, Elena also turned to science, immersing herself in the study of the natural world and its phenomena. She believed that by applying the methods of science; observing, describing, and systematically ordering her experiences, she could gain a deeper understanding of the world around her. However, she soon realized that limiting herself to pure experience was not enough to bridge the gap between her thoughts and the world.
Elena realized that bridging the gap between her thoughts and the world would mean making the world-content into her thought-content. To do this she needed to go beyond her individual existence and connect with the universal aspects of thought by reaching up to the conceptual realm of pure thought.
With this new insight, Elena began to approach her quest for knowledge with renewed vigor. She studied various disciplines, including philosophy, psychology, and spirituality, to gain a deeper understanding of the essential aspects of existence. She engaged in meaningful conversations with others, exploring their perspectives and insights to broaden her own understanding of the world.
As Elena continued her self-actualization journey, she began to notice a profound transformation within herself. The once insurmountable gap between her thoughts and the world around her started to close. By integrating her experiences, observations, and acquired knowledge, she was able to reconnect with the sense of unity she had experienced as a child.
By seeking true knowledge and understanding, to satisfy our need to know in our own way, we can bridge the gap between our thoughts and the world, ultimately restoring the childhood unity that was lost as we grew older. This process not only fosters personal growth but also helps us find our place within the universe, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious existence.
Question
How can you delve into your inner self to discover the essence of the observed world, thereby facilitating a harmonious integration and strengthening your bond with the world around you?
Chapter 2 The Fundamental Desire For Knowledge
2.0 Separation Of Self And World - From separation of Self and World to finding the unity once again.
Once we began to think, a gap develops between what we know and the world we perceive. We become dissatisfied with the world and feel a sense of separation. Questions arise beginning a search for knowledge that can explain the world, and our place within it.
The striving of religion, art, and science is a continuous quest to find the unity between ourselves and the world. Religious believers, artists, and thinkers are all dissatisfied with the superficial aspects of the world. The believer seeks answers in divine revelations, while the artist attempts to express their inner self through their work, aiming to reconcile their spirit with the outer world. Thinkers, on the other hand, strive to understand the laws governing the world of phenomena by observing and reflecting. By integrating the world's content into our thoughts, we can regain the unity from which we have become disconnected. This requires deepening the powers of cognition and exploring the relationship between the Self and the World.
Historically, this relationship has been represented by two contrasting worldviews: Monism, which emphasizes unity, and Dualism, which focuses on the separation between the Self and the World. Neither viewpoint fully satisfies our understanding, as both fail to account for all the facts.
Steps to the Unification of Mind and World
□ Step 2.1 Materialism - From material world to thoughts of material world and material processes.
A one-sided Materialistic view struggles to offer a complete understanding of the world because it begins by forming thoughts about the world's phenomena. It considers both the material world and the thoughts about it to be purely physical processes. However, this approach merely moves the problem elsewhere, as it attributes the ability to think to matter rather than to the individual.
The materialist must then address how matter can reflect upon its own nature and why it doesn't simply exist as it is. By focusing on the vague nature of matter, the materialist fails to solve the problem of knowledge that originates in the Self, instead only shifting it to the physical world.
Materialism
World essential facts: Phenomena of the material world.
Self experience of world: Thoughts about Matter and material processes.
Unify Self and World: Shifts the problem to the nebulous and indeterminate nature of Matter and away from the identifiable subject, his own Self.
Scenario: Social Isolation
1. World (observed-content): An individual experiencing social isolation feels lonely and sad, affecting their overall well-being and mental health.
2. Self (thought-content): The Materialist doctor explains that decreased serotonin levels lead to feelings of sadness, prescribing an antidepressant to help improve their mood.
3. Unify Self and World: The doctor's explanation shifts the attention away from the Self by prescribing antidepressants, rather than encouraging them to seek social connections, joining clubs or groups, and engaging in activities that promote social interaction to improve their mental health.
Scenario: The Plant's Growth
1. World (observed-content): A gardener plants a seed in their garden and is filled with wonder and appreciation watching it grow into a beautiful flower over time.
2. Self (thought-content): The materialist explains the plant's growth is a natural process determined by biological factors such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. The gardener's appreciation for the plants is explained as the brain's ability to recognize patterns and aesthetic qualities.
3. Unify Self and World: The Materialistic explanation shifts the attention away from the Self's experience of a deep spiritual connection to nature.
Scenario: Academic Excellence
1. World (observed-content): An Asian student consistently outperforms their peers in academic pursuits.
2. Self (thought-content): The Materialist explains the academic success as the result of the heritability of IQ, cultural upbringing, and environmental influences that foster a strong work ethic and focus on education as the reasons for the academic success of Asian people.
3. Unify Self and World: The Materialistic explanation shifts the attention away from the Self by emphasizing the role of external factors, rather than attributing the success to the individual's personal qualities or efforts.
Scenario: Entrepreneurial Triumph
1. World (observed-content): A White person achieves remarkable business success, outpacing competitors in their industry.
2. Self (thought-content): The Materialist explains the business success as the result of genetic predisposition, cultural background, and the availability of resources and opportunities that facilitate the achievements of White people.
3. Unify Self and World: The Materialistic explanation shifts the attention away from the Self by highlighting the role of external factors, rather than attributing the success to the individual's personal qualities or ambition.
Scenario: Athletic Star
1. World (observed-content): A Black person achieves extraordinary success in athletics, outperforming athletes of other races.
2. Self (thought-content): The Materialist explains the athletic success as the result of a cultural emphasis on sports and genetic factors that contribute to physical strength, speed and agility of Black people.
3. Unify Self and World: The Materialistic explanation shifts the attention away from the Self by focusing on the underlying physical processes and external influences, rather than attributing the success to the individual's personal qualities or determination.
Scenario: Gender Dysphoria
1. World (observed-content): A child exhibits identification with the opposite sex by preferring the toys and activities associated with the other gender.
2. Self (thought-content): The Materialist doctor explains the child has gender dysphoria caused by feeling that one's gender identity does not match one's birth sex, recommending hormone therapy followed by gender altering surgery to help bring their physical body more in line with their sexual identity.
3. Unify Self and World: The Materialistic explanation shifts the attention away from the Self by recommending irreversible treatments for gender dysphoria, even though research shows that on average 80% of children change their minds and do not continue into adulthood as transgender.
□ Step 2.2 Spiritism - From phenomenal world to focusing on the spiritual that underlies it.
One-sided Spiritualistic theory emphasizes that the material world is just a creation of the mind. However, this idea faces challenges when trying to explain any specific event or phenomenon, as it struggles to connect the mind's influence to real-world experiences, whether in understanding the world or taking action in it.
Spiritism
World essential facts: Denies matter (the World) and regards it merely as a product of mind-spirit (the Self).
Self experience of world: Spiritualistic theory, thoughts about the spiritual that underlies everything.
Unify Self and World: Unable to explain or provide evidence as to how the mind can produce concrete phenomena.
Scenario: Law of attraction
1. World (observed-content): The spiritist notices a consistent pattern of attracting desired experiences or opportunities into their life.
2. Self (thought-content): They believe their mind has manifested these events using the Law of Attraction, focusing on positive thoughts and intentions.
3. Unify Self and World: They fail in attempts to scientifically verify a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the thoughts and emotions of the mind and the subsequent experiences and outcomes in their life, limiting the Self's connection to the world.
Scenario: Meeting a significant person
1. World (observed-content): The spiritist meets a significant individual, such as a romantic partner or close friend, in an unexpected or seemingly coincidental manner.
2. Self (thought-content): They explain that encountering a life partner or important friend is the result of spiritual beings influencing the mind to orchestrate the meeting or karmic destiny for personal growth or fulfillment of their life purpose.
3. Unify Self and World: They fail to provide any real evidence of how the spirit influenced the Self to bring about this serendipitous encounter other than factors such as shared interests, values, and social environments, limiting the Self's connection to the world.
Scenario: Power of Prayer
1. World (observed-content): The spiritist witnesses favorable outcomes in situations after praying for a specific result in a political election or sporting event.
2. Self (thought-content): They believe their mind has influenced the outcome of events through the power of prayer.
3. Unify Self and World: They fail in attempts to demonstrate the power of the prayerful mind to prove spiritual intervention can directly influence the outcome of events, limiting the Self's connection to the world.
Scenario: Past-Life Explorer
1. World (observed-content): The spiritist undergoes past-life regression therapy, recalling detailed memories or experiences from what they believe are previous lifetimes.
2. Self (thought-content): They believe their mind can access memories from past lives, providing insight into their current life situation and spiritual growth.
3. Unify Self and World: Attempts to provide real evidence that the mind can recall past-life memories fail to produce conclusive results, leaving the phenomenon open to interpretation, limiting the Self's connection to the world.
Scenario: Guardian angels or spirit guide
1. World (observed-content): The spiritist experiences timely assistance, guidance, or protection in challenging situations.
2. Self (thought-content): They believe their mind has connected with guardian angels or spirit guides, who are providing support and intervention.
3. Unify Self and World: They fail in attempts to provide evidence to show that the influence of guardian angels or spirit guides is anything more than cultural or religious traditions, limiting the Self's connection to the world.
Scenario: Signs and omens
1. World (observed-content): The spiritist frequently encounters signs or omens, such as recurring symbols, numbers, or animals, that seem to hold personal significance.
2. Self (thought-content): The spiritist believes the interpretation of these signs or omens have spiritual significance that can guide their decisions or indicate future outcomes.
3. Unify Self and World: They fail in attempts to provide evidence that these signs or omens are anything more than merely subjective interpretations, limiting the Self's connection to the world.
□ Step 2.3 Realism - From external world that we see around us to acquiring experience.
To truly understand the external world, we must look outward and gain practical experience, as this experience provides content for the mind. Similarly, when executing actions, we must bring our intentions to life using tangible materials and forces in the real world. In essence, we rely on the external world for both knowledge and action. A one-sided Realism may lack innovation and the inspiration of ideals.
Realism
World essential facts: The external world that we see around us.
Self experience of world: Self turns eye outwards, mind acquires practical experience.
Unify Self and World: Practical experience helps realize intentions in world, but Self is dependent on the external world.
Scenario: The Culinary Connoisseur
1. World (observed-content): The realist takes up cooking as a hobby, experimenting with different cuisines and techniques.
2. Self (thought-content): Through cooking, the realist acquires practical experience, learning about various ingredients, flavors, and methods, expanding their culinary knowledge.
3. Unify Self and World: The realist's connection to the world of cuisine is limited to their personal cooking experiences, leaving them unaware of other regional or cultural dishes they have yet to encounter.
Scenario: The Amateur Astronomer
1. World (observed-content): The realist develops an interest in astronomy and begins stargazing with a telescope.
2. Self (thought-content): Through stargazing, the realist acquires practical experience of astronomy, learning about celestial bodies, constellations, and the universe's vast expanse.
3. Unify Self and World: Their connection to the world of astronomy is limited by their personal stargazing experiences and equipment, leaving them less knowledgeable about more advanced aspects of the field or objects they have not observed.
Scenario: The Historical Reenactor
1. World (observed-content): The realist joins a historical reenactment group, participating in events that recreate specific time periods or historical events.
2. Self (thought-content): Through historical reenactments, the realist acquires experience of living history, gaining an understanding of historical customs, clothing, and daily life.
3. Unify Self and World: Their connection to the world through history is limited to their reenactment experiences, leaving them less informed about other time periods or historical events they have not portrayed.
Scenario: Relationship Building
1. World (observed-content): The realist attends social gatherings and joins clubs to meet potential partners.
2. Self (thought-content): Through these interactions, the realist acquires experience of relationships, learning about different personality types, preferences, and communication styles.
3. Unify Self and World: Their connection to people through deeper aspects of relationships is limited to their experience that focuses primarily on practical aspects and compatibility.
Scenario: Creative Pursuits
1. World (observed-content): The realist engages in art classes or workshops to hone their technical skills in their chosen creative field.
2. Self (thought-content): The realist acquires artistic experience, developing an understanding of their medium's techniques, conventions, and history.
3. Unify Self and World: Their creative pursuits to connect with the world is limited by their experience that focuses on technical proficiency, leaving less room for risk-taking and boundary-pushing experimentation.
Scenario: Personal Goals
1. World (observed-content): The realist sets achievable goals and works diligently on specific tasks to reach them.
2. Self (thought-content): Through this process, the realist acquires practical experience of achieving goals, learning about time management, discipline, and their own capabilities.
3. Unify Self and World: Their connection to the world is limited by their experience of focusing on realistic goals, hindering the pursuit of ambitious, visionary achievements.
□ Step 2.4 Idealism - From structuring an understanding of the world solely from the ego to forming an idealistic, grandiose thought-picture of the world.
A one-sided Idealist tries to create out of their self, or "Ego" a grandiose picture of the world. They end up with an impressive image of the world that doesn't include any real-life experiences. Just like a Materialist can't ignore the mind, an Idealist can't completely disregard the outside world.
Idealism
World essential facts: Attempts to structure an understanding of the world solely from their “Ego.”
Self essential elements: Accomplishes a magnificent thought-picture of the world without any content of experience.
Unify Self and World: Idealist cannot do away with the external world.
Scenario: Self-Absorbed Author
1. World (observed-content): The idealist author writes stories with protagonists that are thinly-veiled versions of themselves, disregarding varied character development.
2. Self (thought-content): The author envisions a literary world revolving around their own experiences, neglecting the richness of diverse human stories.
3. Unify Self and World: By understanding others' experiences they can create relatable, compelling characters and narratives.
Scenario: Myopic Educator
1. World (observed-content): The idealist educator designs a curriculum centered around their own interests and beliefs, disregarding the needs and interests of students.
2. Self (thought-content): The educator imagines an educational system that mirrors their own learning experiences, without considering the learning styles and needs of students.
3. Unify Self and World: By adapting teaching methods and materials to accommodate the unique needs of students, they can inspire them to think critically and develop their own independent perspectives.
Scenario: Investment Scheme
1. World (observed-content): The idealist investor believes they can predict cryptocurrency's behavior based on a complex computer program they designed.
2. Self (thought-content): The investor offers a grandiose plan to investors in cryptocurrency, expecting high returns without considering the need for financial knowledge and market analysis.
3. Unify Self and World: The idealist's lack of investment experience limits their connection to the world, not understanding market trends, risks, and financial planning that results in significant losses.
Scenario: Utopian Community
1. World (observed-content): The idealist university professor is dissatisfied with societal issues, divisions, and capitalist structures, teaching their personal belief in social structures based on Marxist principles.
2. Self (thought-content): The professor believes they know what is best and proposes imposing a utopian community with high aspirations for classless society, wealth redistribution, and shared values.
3. Unify Self and World: The ivory tower professor's lack of real world experience causes them to ignore individual needs, interests, and values which results in conflicts and issues in maintaining cohesion, limiting their connection with the world and the realization of their utopian vision.
Scenario: Echo Chamber Artist
1. World (observed-content): The idealist artist curates art exhibitions featuring only works that align with their aesthetic preferences and beliefs.
2. Self (thought-content): The artist envisions a world of art that exclusively celebrates their personal artistic ideals, neglecting the breadth of artistic expression.
3. Unify Self and World: By appreciating and showcasing a range of artistic styles and perspectives they can foster a more comprehensive art world.
Scenario: Solipsistic Philanthropist
1. World (observed-content): The idealist philanthropist donates to causes that align with their personal values and experiences of what the world needs, neglecting a broader range of charitable needs.
2. Self (thought-content): The philanthropist believes they can solve societal problems by supporting organizations that reflect their own worldview, without considering the needs of communities.
3. Unify Self and World: By broadening their scope and understanding of charitable giving they make a bigger difference in the world and inspire others to follow suit.
□ Step 2.5 Materialistic Idealism - From accepting the Materialistic view to also accepting the Idealistic view of perception.
Materialistic idealism is a philosophical position that combines elements of both materialism and idealism. In this view, the material world exists, but it is not the sole determinant of reality. Instead, ideas, thoughts, and consciousness play a significant role in shaping and influencing the appearance of the physical world.
Materialism asserts that everything that exists is made up of matter or physical substances, and all phenomena can be explained through their interactions. In other words, materialists believe that the physical world is the only reality.
Idealism, on the other hand, maintains that reality is fundamentally mental or non-material in nature. According to idealism, ideas, thoughts, and consciousness are the primary components of reality, and the physical world is a mere manifestation of these mental entities.
The idealism aspect emphasizes the limitations of our senses and the indirect nature of our perception of the world. Our experience of reality is filtered and shaped by our mind. Our senses (like sight, hearing, touch) provide us with information about the world, but they only give us an indirect experience of the things around us, not the things themselves. In other words, the physical world we perceive is not a direct representation of the true nature of reality but rather a mental construct based on our sensory experiences. Even our sensory organs and brain are part of the mental construct that shapes our perception of reality.
While Materialistic Idealism aims to reconcile materialism and idealism, it can sometimes lead to a contradiction.
Materialistic Idealism
World essential facts: Materialists are right, everything is the product of material processes.
Self essential elements: Idealists are right, everything is the product of thinking, due to the perception process.
Unify Self and World: Accepting both the Materialistic and Idealistic view of the world results in a paradoxical contradiction.
Scenario: Origin of the universe
1. World (observed-content): The mathematist ponders the origin of the universe.
2. Self (thought-content): They entertain both the idea of a physical event (materialism), such as the Big Bang, and the possibility of God's purposeful creation or non-physical influences (idealism).
3. Unify Self and World: By accepting both the materialistic and idealistic views, the mathematist's understanding of the universe's origin becomes a paradox, fusing natural laws and processes with non-physical or divine influences.
Scenario: The Emotional Rollercoaster
1. World (observed-content): The mathematist experiences intense mood swings throughout the day.
2. Self (thought-content): They believe their fluctuating emotions are due to hormonal changes (materialism), while also considering the role of thought patterns and mental habits (idealism).
3. Unify Self and World: The person's acceptance of both materialistic and idealistic explanations for their mood swings leads to a paradoxical understanding of their emotions, hormonal change on the one hand and thought patterns on the other.
Scenario: Morality contradiction
1. World (observed-content): The mathematist encounters a moral dilemma.
2. Self (thought-content): They weigh the importance of cultural norms, social structures, and physical consequences (materialism) against abstract principles and innate human understanding of right and wrong (idealism).
3. Unify Self and World: By accepting both the materialistic and idealistic views, the mathematist's approach to morality becomes a paradox, embracing both relative and absolute perspectives.
Scenario: Reality contradiction
1. World (observed-content): The mathematist examines a particular event or phenomenon.
2. Self (thought-content): They attempt to understand the event through both empirical evidence (materialism) and their own subjective experiences (idealism).
3. Unify Self and World: By simultaneously accepting the materialistic and idealistic views, the mathematist's understanding of reality becomes a paradox, incorporating both objective and subjective perspectives.
Scenario: Simulation Hypothesis
1. World (observed-content): The mathematist is intrigued by the idea of the universe as a computer-generated simulation, with underlying physical processes being responsible for creating the illusion of reality.
2. Self (thought-content): The mathematist also acknowledges the importance of individual consciousness and perception in experiencing the simulated world, recognizing the role of thought in shaping the nature of reality.
3. Unify Self and World: By accepting that the material world (materialism) is a simulation and that consciousness and perception (idealism) are the primary means of experiencing this world, the mathematist faces the paradox of the relationship between the simulated physical world and individual consciousness.
Scenario: Quantum Mechanics
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist observes the results of the double-slit experiment, where particles demonstrate both wave-like and particle-like behavior, depending on whether they are observed. This supports the Materialists view that the world consists of physical processes and interactions.
2. Self (thought-content): The rationalist contemplates the concept of wave function collapse, which suggests that the act of observation influences the behavior of particles, giving thought a role in shaping reality, aligning with the Idealists view that the world is a product of thinking.
3. Unify Self and World: By accepting that the physical world (materialism) influences our thoughts and that observation (idealism) plays a role in determining reality, the rationalist faces the paradox between the observer's role in shaping the physical world, and the physical world's role in shaping the observer's thoughts.
□ Step 2.6 Indivisible Unity - From Matter's simplest level of existence is primary particles of matter to the Mind's simplest level of existence is primary particles of matter also.
The third type of Monism believes the primary building block of all reality is an ultimate indivisible unit of matter, such as the atom. All observable changes in mind and world can be reduced to changes in the configuration of these primary particles. However, this approach does not solve the problem that originates in human consciousness, the separation between the Self and the World. How does the simple particle come to manifest itself in two different ways, in our mind and in the perceived world, if it is an indivisible unity?
2.6 Indivisible Unity Monism
1. World essential facts: Matter's simplest level of existence is primary particles of matter (the atom).
2. Self essential elements: Mind's simplest level of existence is primary particles of matter (the atom).
3. Unify Self and World: Matter and Mind already united at level of primary particles of matter but this shifts away from the problem of the separation between Self and World that originates in our consciousness.
Scenario: Color Perception
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist observes that colors appear to be a quality of the external world. Colors are the result of light reflecting off objects, with the wavelength of light determining the color perceived, which can be reduced to interactions of the fundamental particles of matter.
2. Self (thought-content): In contrast, they also know that perception of color arises from the brain's processing of light information, which can also be reduced to interactions of the fundamental particles of matter.
3. Unify Self and World: They shift the problem that originates in consciousness to matter. They then struggle to reconcile how the same fundamental particles can manifest itself in two different ways by generating color perception in the mind, while simultaneously constituting the physical properties of the object in the perceived world.
Scenario: Emotions and Facial Expressions
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist believes that facial expressions are physical manifestations of emotions, caused by muscle contractions, which can be reduced to interactions of fundamental particles of matter.
2. Self (thought-content): In contrast, the rationalist also knows that the experience of emotions is a mental process, which can be reduced to brain activity and interactions of fundamental particles of matter.
3. Unify Self and World: They shift the problem that originates in consciousness to matter. They then struggle to explain how the same fundamental particles can manifest in two different ways creating both the physical expression of emotions in the body and the mental experience of emotions in the mind.
Scenario: Sense of Self
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist believes that the sense of self arises from the brain's processing of sensory information and internal mental states, reducible to interactions of fundamental particles.
2. Self (thought-content): In contrast, the rationalist also believes that the experience of self-awareness is a mental construct based on the brain's interpretation of information, reducible to the interactions of particles of matter.
3. Unify Self and World: They shift the problem that originates in consciousness to matter. They then grapple with the question of how the same fundamental particles can manifest itself in two different ways by creating both the physical basis of self-awareness in the brain and the mental experience of self-awareness.
Scenario: The Mirage of Reality
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist believes that the appearance of reality is constructed from fundamental particles of matter, which shape the objects and events in the world.
2. Self (thought-content): The rationalist also believes that the mind's perception of reality is also reducible to the interactions of fundamental particles of matter in the brain.
3. Unify Self and World: They shift the problem that originates in consciousness to matter. They then struggle to explain how the same fundamental particles can manifest itself in two different ways as both the physical aspects of reality in the world and the mental constructs that shape our perception of reality in the mind.
Scenario: The Enigma of Truth
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist believes that the concept of truth arises from the objective observation of the world, based on the interactions of the fundamental particles matter.
2. Self (thought-content): In contrast, the rationalist also believes that the mind's understanding of truth is a mental construct, reducible to the brain's processing of information, which can be traced back to interactions of the fundamental particles of matter.
3. Unify Self and World: They shift the problem that originates in consciousness to matter. They then grapple with the question of how the same fundamental particles can manifest itself in two different ways as objective truths in the world and subjective experiences of truth within the mind.
Scenario: Art Appreciation
1. World (observed-content): The rationalist believes that the appreciation of art is based on the perception of visual, auditory, and other sensory information, reducible to interactions of fundamental particles of matter.
2. Self (thought-content): In contrast, the rationalist also believes that the experience of art appreciation is a mental construct based on the brain's interpretation of sensory input, reducible to the interactions of particles of matter.
3. Unify Self and World: They shift the problem that originates in consciousness to matter. They then grapple with the question of how the same fundamental particles can manifest itself in two different ways by creating both the physical properties of the artwork in the world and the mental experience of appreciating art in the mind.
□ Step 2.7 Contrast Self - From contrasting Self with the World to recognizing we all live within one world and this world lives within each one as knowledge.
It must be emphasized that we first experience the fundamental polarity between our thoughts and the perceived world in our own consciousness. We are the ones who separate ourselves from the world's nurturing foundation, identifying ourselves as the "Self" and contrasting it with the "World."
Despite being surrounded by the world and living within it, we often fail to fully understand or appreciate it. Nature constantly provides information and signals, but its complex processes and harmonious interconnections aren't always understood. But it is also true that we exist as a part of the world, and the world is an inherent part of every individual.
Contrast Self
World essential facts: The Self first encounters the basic and primal polarity in its own consciousness.
Self essential elements: We break away from the world by contrasting ourselves as “Self” in opposition to the “World.”
Unify Self and World: It is also true that we all live within one world and this world lives within each one as knowledge.
Scenario: Racial Identity
1. World (observed-content): The psycheist embraces their racial identity, expressing the characteristic traits, beliefs and behaviors of an ethnic group.
2. Self (thought-content): Their group identity divides the world into "us" and "them." Because the in-group will seek to find negative aspects of an out-group to enhance their self-image, they focus on discrimination and inequality, which leads to feelings of alienation and disconnection from society.
3. Unify Self and World: We all exist within the world as a single human race, and the world exists within all our minds as a common world of ideas.
Scenario: Political Activist Identity
1. World (observed-content): The psycheist becomes politically active and identifies with a specific political party, adopting its core beliefs and policies and joining a grassroots organization to promote progressive policies.
2. Self (thought-content): They find themselves in frequent debates with friends and family members who hold opposing views, leading to feelings of alienation and frustration. They believe their political ideology is the only correct one and that all other perspectives are inherently wrong or misguided.
3. Unify Self and World: We all exist within a single society. Political discourse and diversity of opinions are essential for a healthy democracy. The activist can engage in meaningful conversations without compromising their own values. By understanding the reasons behind different political viewpoints and confronting their own untruths and biases, they can engage in constructive dialogues.
Scenario: Environmentalist Identity
1. World (observed-content): The psycheist becomes an environmentalist, adopting the values and beliefs of the environmentalist movement centered around protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices.
2. Self (thought-content): They become increasingly dissatisfied with society's consumerist habits and pollution, feeling conflicted when engaging in activities they used to enjoy. They fear the end of the world and blame those who remain indifferent to these issues.
3. Unify Self and World: We all share a common home on this planet, and evidence-based science is a crucial tool for sharing and verifying environmental concerns. To connect with others and collaborate effectively, environmentalists should avoid fear mongering, acknowledge that complex environmental issues require multifaceted solutions, and understand that not everyone who isn't engaged in environmental activism is uncaring or ignorant.
Scenario: Animal Rights Identity
1. World (observed-content): The psycheist becomes a vegan after adopting the identity of an animal rights advocate, leading to a change in their values and the way they perceive the world as they become deeply committed to animal welfare.
2. Self (thought-content): They become increasingly upset by the treatment of animals in society, increasing their criticism of friends or family members who hold different views on animal welfare, creating a growing sense of isolation and disconnect.
3. Unify Self and World: We are all creatures of nature, sharing the same planet. By granting animals rights, we can significantly reduce the sum of suffering in the world. To effectively advocate for animal rights, it's crucial to avoid assumptions and exaggerations about industries and lifestyles while understanding diverse cultural and socioeconomic factors that shape attitudes.
Scenario: Feminist Identity
1. World (observed-content): The psycheist becomes passionate about women's equality by adopting the identity of a feminist, joining organizations and participating in events that promote equal rights and opportunities for women.
2. Self (thought-content): They become disillusioned with the persistence of women's inequality and feel disconnected from those who don't share their values.
3. Unify Self and World: To bring balance to a world dominated by masculine energy, we must respect the feminine aspect. To foster constructive and empathetic dialogues, it's important to avoid assuming that traditional roles for women are universally oppressive or invalid, or viewing them as less enlightened or less authentic and to respect individual choices and preferences.
Scenario: Sexual Identity
1. World (observed-content): The psycheist embraces an identity based on sex, in what way and with whom they prefer to engage in sex. They participate in unconventional relationship structures, such as polyamory or open relationships, become promiscuous or have unnatural relationship preferences or fetishes.
2. Self (thought-content): They experience disapproval or resistance from others who may not accept sexual deviance from social norms, leading to feelings of isolation or exclusion.
3. Unify Self and World: The risk of population collapse due to low birth rates is a significant concern for civilization. It is advantageous for both children and society when a child receives support and involvement from both a mother and a father, as each parent offers unique perspectives and experiences. Assuming non-traditional relationships face constant judgment or discrimination, or considering those in traditional relationships as less open-minded, enlightened, or authentic, is unproductive. Treating gender dysphoria is crucial to prevent worsening mental health issues. Advocating for the sexualization of children is unacceptable for most and hinders the opportunity for constructive and empathetic dialogues.
□ Step 2.8 Feel Unity - From feeling estranged from the world to feeling unity with the world due to it living in us.
We have become increasingly detached from the world and nature, but simultaneously, there remains a sense of belonging and connection to it. This feeling can be attributed to the fact that the processes of the external world are also expressed within us, highlighting our inherent link to the world around us.
Feel Unity With Nature
World essential facts: Self has estranged itself from the world.
Self essential elements: Self feels it exists within the World and belongs to it.
Unify Self and World: This feeling can only be due to the outer workings of the World living also in the Self.
Scenario: Musician's Connection
1. World (observed-content): The pneumatist musician, while diligently practicing their instrument and honing their technique, may feel disconnected and isolated from the world around them.
2. Self (thought-content): However, they recognize that their music is intrinsically connected to the spirit of the world, as its melodies and harmonies are inspired by and reflect the emotions, experiences, and environment in which they were created.
3. Unify Self and World: The musician's realization that their music is a bridge between their inner self and the outer world highlights the idea that music serves as a universal language that transcends individual experiences and resonates with people across cultures and backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and connection.
Scenario: Athlete's Universal Bond
1. World (observed-content): The pneumatist athlete, during intense training for a competition, may feel disconnected from the world as they concentrate on their individual performance and physical abilities.
2. Self (thought-content): However, the athlete finds a connection with the world when they embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, recognizing that the discipline, dedication, and teamwork they practice are universal values shared by athletes and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
3. Unify Self and World: The athlete's understanding of the shared values in sports highlights the notion that these principles connect them with others across cultures and backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie in the global sports community.
Scenario: Reader's Shared Humanity
1. World (observed-content): The pneumatist reader might feel disconnected from the world while engrossed in a novel, escaping into the fictional world created by the author.
2. Self (thought-content): The reader can find a connection with the world when they feel the emotions and insights within themselves that the story evokes, realizing that the themes and characters in the book reflect the universal spirit of human experiences.
3. Unify Self and World: The reader's connection to the world is deepened by recognizing that the emotions and experiences portrayed in the novel link them with people from different cultures and backgrounds who share similar feelings and thoughts.
Scenario: Parent's Global Family
1. World (observed-content): The pneumatist parent might feel disconnected from the world while raising their children, focusing on their family's needs and the daily challenges of parenting.
2. Self (thought-content): The parent can find a connection with the world when they feel the love and responsibility within themselves, recognizing that the nurturing and guidance they provide to their children are part of a larger web of human relationships.
3. Unify Self and World: The parent's connection to the world is enriched by understanding that their role in raising their children shapes the future of society, linking them with other parents and caregivers who share similar experiences and values.
Scenario: Scientist's Personal Universe
1. World (observed-content): The pneumatist scientist might feel disconnected from the world while conducting experiments or researching complex theories in their field.
2. Self (thought-content): The scientist can find a connection with the world when they realize that the concepts they explore in their work, such as gravity or evolutionary biology, not only explain how the world works but also govern their own existence and experiences.
3. Unify Self and World: The scientist's connection to the world is deepened by understanding the intricate links between their research and their personal life, highlighting the unity of the interconnected nature of the universe.
Scenario: Historian's Timeless Connection
1. World (observed-content): The pneumatist historian might feel disconnected from the world while studying the past, analyzing historical events and ancient civilizations.
2. Self (thought-content): The historian can find a connection with the world when they feel the lessons and wisdom from history within themselves, realizing that the patterns and dynamics of human society recur throughout time.
3. Unify Self and World: The historian's connection to the world is enriched by recognizing that the study of the past links them with people who have lived before, enabling them to better understand the world today and the common threads of human experience.
□ Step 2.9 Essence Within - From retaining something within from our experience of the world to seeking out this essence of the world within.
To rediscover our connection with nature, we must first seek the essence of nature within ourselves. Dualism, which views the human mind as separate from nature, fails to identify the link between them. We can find nature outside us only if we first know her within us. By delving into our own being, we can uncover aspects of nature we have retained and reestablish our bond with the natural world.
World essential facts: From our experience with the world we retain something of it in our own being.
Self essential elements: We must seek out this essence of the world in us, and then we will discover our connection with it once more.
Unify Self and World: We can find the world outside us only if we first know it within us. What corresponds to the world within us will be our guide.
Scenario: Art Enthusiast
1. World (observed-content): The monadist viewing an abstract painting might feel disconnected from the artwork, unable to comprehend the artist's intentions or find meaning in the piece.
2. Self (thought-content): They learn about the fundamental elements of art, such as color theory, composition, and symbolism, in order to identify the essential characteristics of the painting.
3. Unify Self and World: The monadist's appreciation for the artwork and connection with the artist's message deepens through their understanding of the essential elements of art.
Scenario: Interpreting Literature
1. World (observed-content): The monadist reading a complex novel might feel disconnected from the story, finding it difficult to understand the characters' motivations or the overarching themes.
2. Self (thought-content): They learn about the essential elements of literature, such as narrative structure, character development, and literary devices, in order to identify the essential characteristics of the novel.
3. Unify Self and World: The monadist's appreciation for the story and connection with the author's intended message deepens through their understanding of the essential elements of literature.
Scenario: Understanding Architecture
1. World (observed-content): The monadist observing a unique building might feel disconnected from the structure, unable to grasp the architect's vision or the building's purpose.
2. Self (thought-content): They learn about the fundamental principles of architecture, such as balance, proportion, and function, in order to identify the essential characteristics of the building.
3. Unify Self and World: The monadist's appreciation for the design and connection with the architect's vision deepens through their understanding of the essential principles of architecture.
Scenario: Decoding Symbolism
1. World (observed-content): The monadist encountering symbols or metaphors in various forms of art, literature, or culture might feel disconnected from their meaning, unable to interpret their significance.
2. Self (thought-content): They learn about the history, context, and shared cultural associations of specific symbols, in order to identify the essential characteristics of the symbolism.
3. Unify Self and World: The monadist's appreciation for the symbolism's meaning and connection with the creator's intended message deepens through their understanding of the symbol's essential elements.
Scenario: Interpreting Dance
1. World (observed-content): The monadist watching a modern dance performance might feel disconnected from the dancers, unable to understand the emotions or story being expressed through movement.
2. Self (thought-content): They learn about the foundational elements of dance, such as technique, choreography, and expression, in order to identify the essential characteristics of the performance.
3. Unify Self and World: The monadist's appreciation for the dance and connection with the choreographer's narrative deepens through their understanding of the essential elements of dance.
Scenario: Nature Explorer
1. World (observed-content): The monadist observing a natural landscape might feel disconnected from the environment, unable to comprehend the intricate processes and relationships that form the ecosystem.
2. Self (thought-content): They learn about the fundamental principles of ecology, such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and species interactions, in order to identify the essential characteristics of the landscape.
3. Unify Self and World: The monadist's appreciation for the natural environment and connection with the underlying processes that shape it deepens through their understanding of the essential principles of ecology.
□ Step 2.10 More Than "I" - From being merely "I" to being more than "I."
The examination of our own existence should lead us to the solution to the problem of our separation from the world. We must arrive at a stage where we can assert, "At this point, I am no longer solely 'I'; there exists something beyond 'I'."
World essential facts: Investigation of our own being must bring us the solution to the problem.
Self essential elements: A place where we are merely "I."
Unify Self and World: Reaching a point where we are more than "I."
Scenario: Peak Experiences in Sports or Adventure
1. World (observed-content): The individual focuses on the physical or competitive aspects of sports or adventure activities without delving into the deeper experiences they can provide.
2. Self (thought-content): The dynamist becomes something more by embracing the transcendent potential of peak experiences, such as the "flow state" or the euphoria of overcoming challenges.
3. Unify Self and World: By experiencing peak states in sports or adventure activities, the dynamist transcends their ordinary self and connects with the world through a sense of unity with their surroundings and fellow participants.
Scenario: Practicing Martial Arts
1. World (observed-content): The individual practices martial arts solely focusing on the physical aspects without understanding the philosophical underpinnings of their chosen discipline.
2. Self (thought-content): The dynamist becomes something more by studying the principles and values behind a martial art and integrates the art's teachings into their daily life, fostering self-discipline, mindfulness, and personal growth.
3. Unify Self and World: By embracing the martial art's principles and values, the dynamist transcends their ordinary self and connects with the world through self-discipline, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Scenario: Power of Knowledge
1. World (observed-content): The individual feels disconnected from the world, limited by their lack of understanding and unable to make informed decisions or contribute meaningfully to discussions.
2. Self (thought-content): The dynamist becomes something more by recognizing the importance of knowledge, actively seeking to learn and expand their understanding in various areas of interest, both personal and professional.
3. Unify Self and World: By unlocking the power of knowledge, the individual connects with the world, using their newfound understanding to engage with others, make informed decisions, and contribute to the collective wisdom of society.
Scenario: Acts of Compassion and Altruism
1. World (observed-content): The individual focuses solely on their own needs and desires, without considering the needs of others or engaging in acts of compassion and altruism.
2. Self (thought-content): The dynamist becomes something more by engaging in acts of selflessness, empathy, and kindness, transcending their ordinary self and experiencing a profound sense of interconnectedness and shared humanity with others.
3. Unify Self and World: Through acts of compassion and altruism, the dynamist connects with the world and fosters a sense of interconnectedness and shared humanity with others.
Scenario: Developing Leadership Skills
1. World (observed-content): The individual feels detached from their environment, focusing solely on their own needs and desires without considering their impact on others.
2. Self (thought-content): The dynamist becomes something more by discovering their potential for leadership, learning about the importance of empathy, effective communication, and empowering others.
3. Unify Self and World: By embracing their leadership abilities, the individual connects with the world, using their influence to inspire positive change and create a sense of unity among their team or community.
Scenario: Activating the Entrepreneurial Spirit
1. World (observed-content): The individual feels disconnected from the world of business, pursuing a conventional career without considering the potential impact of their innovative ideas.
2. Self (thought-content): The dynamist becomes something more by recognizing their entrepreneurial spirit, developing innovative solutions to real-world problems and embracing the challenges and risks associated with creating their own business.
3. Unify Self and World: By activating their entrepreneurial spirit, the individual connects with the world, using their innovation and drive to create value and improve the lives of others.
□ Step 2.11 Description Of Experience - From simple descriptions of what we all experience in consciousness to the use of terms that express this experience.
The focus in The Philosophy Of Freedom is to provide simple descriptions of what we all experience within our own consciousness, rather than aiming for scientific outcomes. The inclusion of a few statements regarding efforts to bridge the gap between Mind and the World serve solely to elucidate the actual phenomena at hand.
World essential facts: Simple descriptions of what we all experience in our own consciousness.
Self essential elements: Statements included to reconcile Mind and the World have been used only to clarify the actual facts.
Unify Self and World: Terms used express experience, not the usual meaning given in Psychology and Philosophy.
Examples from "The Philosophy of Freedom" of terms that clarify human experience.
• Ethical Individualism
To allow our moral content to express itself in life.
• Moral Intuition
The capacity to intuitively experience the particular moral principle for a specific life situation.
• Moral Imagination
The capacity to imaginatively translate the general moral principle selected by moral intuition into a specific goal of action.
• Moral Technique
The ability to transform the world according to moral imaginations without violating the natural laws by which things are connected.
• Good and Evil
Action becomes “good” if the intuition, steeped in love, stands in the right way in the intuitively experienceable world continuum; it becomes “evil” if that is not the case.
• Intuition
The form in which thought first appears in consciousness. Intuition is to thoughts what observation is to percepts.
□ Step 2.12 Facts Without Interpretation - From recording facts of everyday life to withholding immediate conclusions and critical analysis.
Everyday consciousness tends to overlook the rigid distinctions made by the sciences. The intention thus far has been solely to record the way we experience daily life. The focus is not on how science interprets consciousness, but on how we experience it in each passing moment.
World essential facts: Record the facts of how we experience everyday life.
Self essential elements: Withhold immediate scientific conclusions and critical analysis.
Unify Self and World: Concerned with how we experience consciousness from moment to moment.
Examples of the mental response to sense-perceptible experience of everyday life without interpretation:
• Experience of everyday life: Sitting in a park
While observing children playing and birds flying, our mind may wander to memories of our childhood or reflect on the simple joys of nature.
• Experience of everyday life: Watching a movie
As the movie plot unfolds, we might predict upcoming events or empathize with the characters' emotions and situations.
• Experience of everyday life: Reading a book
As we engage with the story, we may create mental images of the characters and settings, relate the plot to our own experiences, or contemplate the author's intended message.
• Experience of everyday life: Exercising
During a workout, we may mentally track our progress, set personal goals, or distract ourselves from physical discomfort with unrelated thoughts or daydreams.
• Experience of everyday life: Shopping for electronics
As we compare and purchase gadgets, we might think about the technology behind their functions, the science of battery life, and the innovations that have led to their development.
• Experience of everyday life: Honesty and integrity
In various life situations, we might reflect on the ethical implications of being truthful, even when it's uncomfortable, and the impact that dishonesty can have on our relationships and personal reputation.
"The one that matters most is the knowing doer—the one who acts out of knowledge."
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