Dismantle syndrome
- Newme
- Posts: 1401
- Joined: December 13th, 2011, 1:21 am
Re: Dismantle syndrome
Humorous:
-
- Posts: 3119
- Joined: November 26th, 2011, 8:10 pm
- Favorite Philosopher: Terry Pratchett
Re: Dismantle syndrome
Proposing to describe a method of gathering knowledge, you give it a negative, sinister title. Where do you get "syndrome" - before the method has even been described?
We have not the power to take the universe apart. But it's too big to study whole; we can only look at one little part at any one time. The hope is to look at enough little bits to construct (the very opposite of dismantle) a big picture.
Every creature that wants to stay alive must strive for such knowledge. Every conscious creature does it through observation, experimentation and deduction. The only reason a yogi or contemplative hermit or flower-child can "just be" is that less spiritually exalted others delve and spin and share the fruit of their labour.we gain a better understanding of the things around us and how to influence them.
What are supposed to think? The options are limited: put it back together again, e.g. an engine; eat, burn or bury it, e.g. a cadaver; use the parts we need leave what we can't use, e.g. a silver mine.Yet, the moment we manage to take something apart and understand it, we for some reason think that's it.
We own what we can control. What we can control, and how, changes all the time. I doubt, though, that most people think they own most of the things they have a name for. But they couldn't function in a social system without using the same names for things.We name things according to our understanding and think we own it somehow.
I don't understand how that admission is more helpful, productive or fulfilling than acceptance of imperfect understanding.Though, when we look at simple things, or at least I, I still have to admit "I don't know what that is."
We can say what something is without dismantling it, just by defining, describing and naming it. Dissection or analysis adds to our knowledge of what it's made of and how it works and how to nullify, control or alter it. Of course, "it" may disagree with our definition and identify itself quite differently, but we won't know that unless we learn to communicate with it.Despite all our knowledge about a matter can we truly say what something is just by dismantling it?
You set out with the presumption that this is an illness or dysfunction of some kind. That would have to be based on an understanding of what's healthy or normal. But if "we" have always acted this way, what and where is the healthy norm?Hence the term "Dismantle Syndrome. Do we suffer from this,
Such as?excluding all other possible alternatives,
What other kind of perception do we have access to?due to our subjective perception?
Of course we can. We all know varying amounts about various numbers of various things.Can we truly say we know something?
But we could just as easily say witch Schultz : "I know nothing, nah-thi-nk!"
Would that be better? Healthier? More honest? More humble? Okay. Then what?
2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023