Constructive gadfly
Published on July 25, 2004 By stevendedalus In Philosophy

Only humankind is able to express mental experiences symbolically. Fear, danger, glee and instinctive love are inner experiences of even the animal kingdom, though these experiences cannot be specifically articulated other than by limited rather generic sounds and body language, which it is assumed would lead to much confusion were it not for the miracle of natural instincts.

In the human field, an emotion of fear that is subsumed as a notion of terrorism is universally delineated despite the difficulty of multiple languages. Nevertheless, when mental experience reflexively adds perspective, the meaning takes on variable meanings, such as the trite phrase that terrorism to one, is freedom-fighting to another. Religion also is a generic term that fails to satisfy an involved mental experience that adds questions and seeks elaboration. If the symbolism of the term simply meant there is divinity and it satisfied the human spirit there would be no need for elaboration or the myriad of subsuming beliefs. That God exists is all ye need to know to move through experience with simplicity and harmony. However, life is complex — symbolic connotations abound — thus the mind continually rides the brain waves to interpret conflictive species bearing the haunting sense of otherness and dissimilarity. Secular humanism, too, is a generic term that fails to satisfy mental experience that begs for answers despite what others may construe an unanswerable format — that humanity exists is all ye need to know.

In the field of politics the same applies. That governance exist is all ye need to know would lend endurance to the facile, mental acceptance of brute totalitarianism. Thankfully the mental process departs from simplicity and explores the variable qualities of alternatives, leading to possibilities, such as republics and democracies, which further break down into various leanings of laissez-faire capitalism, regulated capitalism, conservatism and liberal — all of which within their own respective cells are subject to question. Laissez-faire capitalism does not in itself preclude corporate responsibility, nor does regulation necessarily effect responsibility to the commonwealth; conservatism need not favor the rich nor the religious, liberalism need not champion the poor nor conflict with religion.

To fully comprehend these distinctions, however, humankind must rise above the dark confusions and unquestioned instinctive pulses of the animal kingdom. For lurking in the mind are untold discoveries and subtleties beneficial to the endless reconstruction of ultimate humankind.

 Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: July, 26, 2004. 


Comments (Page 1)
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on Jul 26, 2004
very interesting and insightful!
on Jul 26, 2004
To fully comprehend these distinctions, however, humankind must rise above the dark confusions and unquestioned instinctive pulses of the animal kingdom. For lurking in the mind are untold discoveries and subtleties beneficial to the endless reconstruction of ultimate humankind.

I feel you are talking about the few here. The few who actually think outside their everyday existence. For most I feel the reality is that the main driving forces in humanity still are the baser animal instincts of greed and fear. Politicians exploit these ruthlessly and often successfully. They still lie close beneath the surface of us all and are easily exposed.

on Jul 26, 2004
humankind must rise above the dark confusions and unquestioned instinctive pulses of the animal kingdom


Absolutely. I believe that as humanity evolves, (grows up), we will slowly rise above the base impulses and crude awareness of the animal kingdom, and attain a higher awareness, and a deeper consciousness, which will enable us to know that there is far more to the nature of 'the Infinite' than our crude five senses had previously assumed.

"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy" - William Shakespeare
on Jul 26, 2004
I think that the newest and most influential factor of the human condition is the advancement of technology.  Science itself has begun to move faster than ethics, morality, and the age old tried and true beliefs that many cultures have held to for very long periods of time.  We are bringing up new questions and possibilities that put our deepest metaphysical and philosophical questions into perspective.  Like AndyBaker said our crude five senses are no longer the only things we have to view the world. 
on Jul 27, 2004
Wow! All great, insightful responses.
on Jul 31, 2004
"To fully comprehend these distinctions, however, humankind must rise above the dark confusions and unquestioned instinctive pulses of the animal kingdom."

IMO genetic engineering will enable this by the end of the century.
on Jul 31, 2004
Abe, I believe you're right; but there is some doubt about eugenics causing elitism.
on Aug 01, 2004
but there is some doubt about eugenics causing elitism.


Would that be significantly different from the current situation?
on Aug 01, 2004
No, but until robots are produced to do all menial tasks, there will still be toilsome labor; still, this does not rule out the hope that there be more educated and sensitive WalMart clerks and garbage collectors. 
on Aug 02, 2004
this does not rule out the hope that there be more educated and sensitive WalMart clerks and garbage collectors


... or philosophers, or scientists, or bank clerks. According to my model of the world, any physical body that is fit to house a soul can be utilised by those living on the Other Side, who incarnate on harsh planes such earth, in order to advance spiritual growth and wisdom, thus fulfilling the divine plan.

We all came from Eden, and to Eden we will return.

Does anyone believe that our lives on earth are the 'be all and end all' of our existence?
on Aug 02, 2004
Our existance(singular)? Yes.

Existance? No.
on Aug 02, 2004
One has to wonder what the brain would be capable of without all these instinctual responses confusing the heck out of us. The fear response is just about useless now. Even when predators were chasing us adrenalin has always been a double-edged sword. Sometimes causing paralysis and almost always suppressing rational thought. Savants, free to devote most all thought to one task, give us a glimpse of the possibilities.

The majority of the brains resources are devoted to processing sensory input, body functions and memory. These are all functions that theoretically could be done better by a microprocessor. Imagine the minds potential if all of its resources could be devoted to higher reasoning, with instant access to the sum of human knowledge.

Many scientists think of religion as nothing more than the product of fear and lack of understanding, and do go out of their way to come up with theories that defy theology. Science could be called the belief that we are supposed to try to figure everything out. There’s not much point in discovery if the answer is it was all blinked into existence by an omnipotent supernatural being. So on at least some level they would be rather disappointed if God showed up.
on Aug 03, 2004
Stubby: a very thoughtful comment. Do you think they would be equally disappointed if Satan showed up? Andy, my personal existence ends in death; it remains to seen--give or take 20 billion years-- whether immortality is as you perceive it or simply the space-time continuum that is everlasting even unto a new, reconstructed universe in some 30 billion years.
on Aug 03, 2004
There’s not much point in discovery if the answer is it was all blinked into existence by an omnipotent supernatural being


Some things are secret for a reason, I'm sure. Maybe God wants us to discover, explore and make an adventure out of life. That would be more exciting than to 'wake up at the castle', so to speak.

my personal existence ends in death


I agree. Although I believe there is more to our essence than the human personality and the physical costume.
on Aug 03, 2004
... or at least that our essence remains the same, and that the personality and costumes change form to suit the realm.
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