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Beyond Belief and ... Reason ... by Audrey Manning E-mail:
audrey.manning@nf.sympatico.ca
Rene Descartes, the French Mathematician and
Philosopher coined the words "I think, therefore, I exist!" And in those
words can be found the underlying cause for all the conflict and suffering on
earth. The phrase, "I think, therefore I exist", carries with it an
implicit understanding that humans are the masters of all they survey. Humans
think; humans exist. Other forms of life do not think and are inferior by
default. The stage is set for humans to spend their time on earth trying to
live up to being master. Descartes' idea carries with it an awesome burden.
Descartes postulated a mind that was separate from, but interacted
with, the physical world. According to Descartes, we can accept certain a
priori truths. Descartes philosophy starts with the fixed point of innate
truths. The existence of God is an a
priori truth.
Descartes was an original thinker and, as a thinker, tried to make
rational sense of the world around him. In spite of his brilliance, he did not
move very far from the concept that humans are superior to other living
creatures. He accepted without question that humans can know 'truth'. Are
rational thinkers of the Twenty-first century any different than Descartes?
It may be easy to believe that humans are superior creatures. Humans
have walked in space, landed on the moon and sent space vehicles to Mars. The
mechanical functioning of the human body is well understood. Yet, in the area
of human relationships there has been no movement over thousands of years and
any slight steps forward are followed by one step back. Science and philosophy
ask us to be rational, religion admonishes us to love one another; we remain
outside this reason and love.
In spite of all the supposed accomplishments, conflict between races,
between religions and between thinkers continues to abound. The cause of
conflict is the overwhelming desire to be in control. From
the very young to the very old, the need to control is paramount. Whence does
this basic desire originate?
Whatever its origins, some individuals, and generally not recognized
thinkers, perceive a need for change, away from the existing power and control
model of interactions. In order to change a way of thinking that has been
ingrained in the human psyche since time began; the control factor has to be
examined in the light of new ways of knowing. Early humans competed for food
and the best land in a time when life was a constant struggle against the
forces of nature. Competition continues to be a way of life! Is it reasonable
to continue to compete in a time when there is enough for everyone and there
exists only a management challenge? In this age of plenty, why?
Rationalists do not believe that babies are born in 'original sin'.
Yet, across the board, that black and white, good and evil model educates
children, as though the concept of sin is absolute truth. If we believe that a
baby is a blank canvas at birth, why do we immediately begin to instill into
that child a sense of good and evil? Rationalists are no different from
religionists in this regard. Rationalists believe they possess the truth of
reason but rarely question the foundation upon which child raising is
implemented. Religion
is the foundation upon which societies are based. Religion provides a first
justification for thinking that 'my way is the right way'. Rene Descartes,
for all his belief in reason, could not step away from his belief in the
existence of God. All institutions within a particular society are developed
around the tenets of a particular religion. Religion ensures that no matter
that some people in the society are freethinkers, they continue to be
imprisoned by the underlying beliefs of the society. If
rationalists are serious about wishing to change the world for the better, the
judgmental bedrock, religious but also rational, upon which society has been
constructed will be examined. Over thousands of years, there has not been much
movement towards awareness of what truly drives human actions and the actions
of society. The place to begin is with all religions and organizations, even
rationalists, that believe in absolute truth. Rationalists say that reason is paramount, religious people
believe in the heart and in revelations. Both ideas are good, but what is the
result of those beliefs? Instead of both points of view being used to solve
human problems, they are used by each group to gain power over the others.
2500 years ago, Tchouang-Seu, said that if you take any two groups, both say
exactly the same thing, that they are right, and that the others are wrong. In fact, if we look carefully, are we not, each and every
one of us, thinking exactly this? Are we not, within ourselves, thinking that
we are right, and that it is the others who are wrong? Or, if we are not
thinking we are right, are we giving up our own judgment and putting ourselves
under the power of someone else? How can we insist on change when these
age-old behaviors remain the same? All change in human history has had the
same results, the very same things happen, just under another name, another
justification. Society
encourages education but education does not guarantee that persons who are
well educated possess the necessary courage or desire to address publicly the
religious underpinnings of human societies.
They are less likely to accept that the concept of good and evil, of
light and dark forces, was born out of a desire to control based on fear of
the unknown. That fear continues to claim the hearts and minds of people.
Controlling others ensures that all are controlled. Lack of freedom for me
means lack of freedom for you! Even as we love our babies, fueled by our notion of
sin, our favorite words to them are, "No! No! Don't do that! That's
bad!" From the very moment of birth, children are imbued with a sense of
anxiety, never knowing what to do to be accepted by parents and the group.
Freedom does not exist!
Children who realize that they are not free live in a state of flux!
This flux presents a dichotomy! Children resent the lack of freedom but some
are willing to give up any possibility of being free simply to be accepted. In
this condition, children are attracted by the merest possibility of being
accepted by a group, by anyone. The stage is set for perpetuating a
conflict-ridden society.
Religion ensures that humans remain separated from each other. Could it
possibly be that in our modern world it is religion and religion alone, which
drives a wedge between people? Everyone's belief is absolute truth. Is it
any wonder that rationalists brought up in a world created and organized by a
religious worldview will maintain the same power and control values as the
religionists? When we believe that our truth is the only truth, no matter what
our belief orientation, we spend our lives trying to sway others to our way of
thinking.
When we believe that we have to succeed at education or sports or art
in order to be a productive member of society and to feel our existence, we
have bought into the myth. That myth has been carefully cultivated down
through the ages. When we believe that others are better than we are, if they
are born into privilege, if they hold high office or if they hold academic
degrees, we preserve a standard that is guaranteed to foster competition and
separation. This way of thinking pits us against our fellow humans. It is an
iniquitous cycle! There can be no genuine human relationships if people
are in constant competition with each other to be the brightest and the best.
With no genuine human relationships, it is easy to devalue people and turn a
blind eye to atrocities committed against them. More devastating, it is easy
to turn a blind eye to ordinary daily events that devalue people.
Motivating children to succeed in a competitive climate impairs their
health and well being. Giving them guidance and allowing them to make their
own choices could, at the very least, gives them a chance to be free within
the limits of the present society. Those who are free may contribute freely in
harmony and love!
There is no real understanding of how a free society would work. There
has never been a truly free society. Presently, there are global societies
that are regarded as free. Yet, in those societies, people still live in fear
and trepidation that other humans will harm them. Such societies are not free!
If fear prevails there is no freedom.
Rationalists can be the key to change! Unless
rationalists accept the challenge to cross the thin line that binds us to the
religious worldview of the ages nothing will change. Rationalists, and even
religious people, can be a catalyst for change but only if they use their
reason and their heart not to impose another Truth but to help persons to make
their own choices, to be more free. This is the truth that will set us all
free! As it is now, the way in which we continue to educate children, along
religious, or even judgmental lines, guarantees that the cycle of war and
destruction will never end. The more things change the more they remain the
same!
CHECK
YOUR 'TRUTH' AT THE DOOR
by Audrey Manning (2001) Float
off to where the air is cool and feel The
cares dissolve as readily as mist. Good
thoughts B
a self approval seal Dare
not put motives to a litmus test. To
think that other fellows do not >know= To
stand in awe of what they do not >see= Enables
my self confidence to flow Come
join me to be >saved=,
my fervent plea. To
our beliefs we soberly stay true. Oblivious
to the logs, our trade we ply Failing
to issue numerous credits due, Confined
to chains of dogma we deny. Subjective
views to us alone belong No
>higher
good=
will praise our selfish song. About the Author Audrey Manning is a philosopher and community activist
who lives in the tiny rural town of
Audrey conducts seminars on the health of people and communities and is
considered an expert on innovation. Her public speaking and leadership
abilities have won her recognition from her peers and the provincial
government. She also writes a weekly column (in a local journal) which is
eagerly anticipated that allows her to spread her original ideas and views.
Audrey Manning's innovative ideas have been practically applied at the
Audrey, together with a French physicist, is presently exploring the
possibility of setting up a global interdisciplinary research center devoted
to the study of original ideas that lie outside the recognition of mainstream
society. Youth will have an interactive active role in the Center.
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