Rebirth

I was discussing on the definition of unity with a close friend, and we used the Socratic method, as well as Ch’an (Zen) logic to arrive at a conclusion.

He asked, “What is unity?”

I replied, “Diversity.”

He asked me to clarify on this definition.

I paused for a few moments, and said,

“Unity is having significant diversity to contribute to the whole.”

An atom, then, is the perfect example of harmonious unity. Where the atom can be made up of many different elementary particles (quarks, gluons, electrons, leptons), they all function as a coherent whole. So is the solar system. Although the planets vary vastly by planetary orbit (elliptical), speed (variable), and composition, they function as a coherent whole, with the Sun in the center.

That being said, my friend pointed out that the phrase on unity was a classic example of Greek irony, which seems paradoxical, but produces truth. Irony moves in multiple dimensions, and is the changing transition between opposing ideas; irony is the seed of movement. When an irony occurs, the unexpected element makes the idea more powerful. How do we teach irony? Through everyday experience, as well as drama in movies, plays, and novels.

Because irony can exist, the logical conclusion is that philosophy can be used against itself. Thus, philosophy by itself is not the proper method of obtaining truth. Traditional Aristotlean philosophy must be paired with intuition, include a moral element, as well as intertwine itself with religion - in order to obtain the truth.

This entry was posted on 12. April 2008 at 19:05 and is filed under Philosophy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.