genuinely beautiful writing- almost a novelisation of philosophy is going on here in my mind. On the question of will things hold I'm at times quite skeptical. Watching a documentary on the January 6th riots this afternoon while doing some work made me nervous as to how hucksters can take advantage of those on the edge of dreams and into fantasy. That is where the values which Pinker asserts gives some hope for the continuation of a stale but stable status quo.
The growing interest in Nietzsche and wider existentialism definitely makes me think you're right about the dyke's borders overflowing somewhat. There is a demand for more flesh and blood in our politics at the edges at least far away from the technocratic 'it's the economy stupid' advise Clinton received in 1992. Reading Edward Fawcett's history of liberalism makes me think liberalism is not so good at this type of politics, rather, it is a philosophy designed to rise above such feelings of politics. Perhaps somewhat fearful of what may be unleashed but also skeptical of progress without sufficient guardrails in place.
More wonderful notes. Sam, I think Sean Kelly's long-awaited book (The Proper Dignity of Human Being) will be developing an ontology along the lines you discuss, dissolving traditional distinctions. (Also, you must read Michael Della's Rocca's Parmenidean Ascent!). In a preview we had on the APA Blog, Sean took issue with "the traditional Enlightenment idea that to be human is for one's behavior to be entirely an expression of one's spontaneity. The view I argue for, by contrast, finds the locus of significance and determination for our free actions in the complementarity between us and our world, a world whose significance simultaneously governs our action and is grounded in it". I hope to delve deeper into this with Sean in the APA channels....
In the midst of all these questions about rationality and drugs and mysticism, it seems to me the pagan in all of us is still clamoring for the truth of things. We have a remarkable ability to think we know it by our own lights... as evidenced by hyperlinks. The wildness of the world creeps in time and again, shaking us from our sense of control (ahem order). What a cross to bear for created beings who think they are gods!
I am, as it happens, trying to write a piece at the moment that involves a particularly intense dream of mine. I’ve been struggling a bit to get my thoughts in order, and this piece has given me some useful threads to follow. So, thank you for the inspiration!
The temptation to return to "slave auctions and heretic burnings" still appeals to certain segments of society. The post-truth, no objective reality catechism has clenched in its jaws both ends of the political spectrum and all of society must now deal with this aspect of post modernist dogma. Certainly, dreams are inexplicable and even mystic. But so is the universe. Once the world was flat. And then we became aware of a warp in the time-space continuum. Wonderful isn't it?
Great stuff, Sam. Just dropping this here for other people’s edification: https://x.com/functi0nzer0/status/1826688962393419873?s=46&t=wa-d7M2vQBEBdMljomEt6Q
Ha, made me think of this awful movie: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/27/movies/freaks-vs-the-reich-review.html
genuinely beautiful writing- almost a novelisation of philosophy is going on here in my mind. On the question of will things hold I'm at times quite skeptical. Watching a documentary on the January 6th riots this afternoon while doing some work made me nervous as to how hucksters can take advantage of those on the edge of dreams and into fantasy. That is where the values which Pinker asserts gives some hope for the continuation of a stale but stable status quo.
The growing interest in Nietzsche and wider existentialism definitely makes me think you're right about the dyke's borders overflowing somewhat. There is a demand for more flesh and blood in our politics at the edges at least far away from the technocratic 'it's the economy stupid' advise Clinton received in 1992. Reading Edward Fawcett's history of liberalism makes me think liberalism is not so good at this type of politics, rather, it is a philosophy designed to rise above such feelings of politics. Perhaps somewhat fearful of what may be unleashed but also skeptical of progress without sufficient guardrails in place.
More wonderful notes. Sam, I think Sean Kelly's long-awaited book (The Proper Dignity of Human Being) will be developing an ontology along the lines you discuss, dissolving traditional distinctions. (Also, you must read Michael Della's Rocca's Parmenidean Ascent!). In a preview we had on the APA Blog, Sean took issue with "the traditional Enlightenment idea that to be human is for one's behavior to be entirely an expression of one's spontaneity. The view I argue for, by contrast, finds the locus of significance and determination for our free actions in the complementarity between us and our world, a world whose significance simultaneously governs our action and is grounded in it". I hope to delve deeper into this with Sean in the APA channels....
In the midst of all these questions about rationality and drugs and mysticism, it seems to me the pagan in all of us is still clamoring for the truth of things. We have a remarkable ability to think we know it by our own lights... as evidenced by hyperlinks. The wildness of the world creeps in time and again, shaking us from our sense of control (ahem order). What a cross to bear for created beings who think they are gods!
What if the "wisdom of crowds" is a form of collective psychosis!
Created and empowered by TV!
http://www.awakeninthedream.com/undreaming-wetiko-introduction
http://www.awakeninthedream.com/articles/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers-comes-to-life
I am, as it happens, trying to write a piece at the moment that involves a particularly intense dream of mine. I’ve been struggling a bit to get my thoughts in order, and this piece has given me some useful threads to follow. So, thank you for the inspiration!
oh that's wonderful. Would *love* to see that when it comes together.
The temptation to return to "slave auctions and heretic burnings" still appeals to certain segments of society. The post-truth, no objective reality catechism has clenched in its jaws both ends of the political spectrum and all of society must now deal with this aspect of post modernist dogma. Certainly, dreams are inexplicable and even mystic. But so is the universe. Once the world was flat. And then we became aware of a warp in the time-space continuum. Wonderful isn't it?