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# Line 77  philosophy. Line 77  philosophy.
77  * Situation Assessment::  * Situation Assessment::
78  *   Religion::  *   Religion::
79  *   Logic::  *   Logic::
80    *     Logical::
81    *     Illogical::
82    *     Tautological::
83    *     Logic in Aleader::
84  *   Maturity::  *   Maturity::
85  *   Names::  *   Names::
86  *   The Tao of Leadership::  *   The Tao of Leadership::
87  *   Mathematical Inspiration::  *   Mathematical Inspiration::
88  *   Empiricism::  *   Empiricism::
89    *   Summary::
90  *   Annotated Bibliography::  *   Annotated Bibliography::
91  *   Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi::  *   Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi::
92  @end detailmenu  @end detailmenu
# Line 95  philosophy. Line 100  philosophy.
100  @node The Foundation, Situation Assessment, Top, Top  @node The Foundation, Situation Assessment, Top, Top
101  @chapter The Foundation  @chapter The Foundation
102    
103  If you are not comfortable discussing religion then please disregard  If you are not comfortable discussing religion then @strong{please
104  this monograph.  Aleader is a scientific theory.  @emph{Period.}  disregard this monograph.}  Aleader is a scientific theory.
105    @emph{Period.}
106    
107  Why potentially confuse things by offering a monograph on religion?  We  Why potentially confuse things by offering a monograph on religion?  We
108  hope to answer this question.  However, first we will dive into an  hope to answer this question.  However, first we will dive into an
# Line 549  as important as studying ideal role-mode Line 555  as important as studying ideal role-mode
555  * The Tao of Leadership::  * The Tao of Leadership::
556  * Mathematical Inspiration::  * Mathematical Inspiration::
557  * Empiricism::  * Empiricism::
558    * Summary::
559  * Annotated Bibliography::  * Annotated Bibliography::
560  * Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi::  * Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi::
561  @end menu  @end menu
# Line 599  The manifestations of logic can be an ob Line 606  The manifestations of logic can be an ob
606  logic is @emph{not} self-realization.  However, we want to discuss logic  logic is @emph{not} self-realization.  However, we want to discuss logic
607  because people are tremendously logical creatures.  To get some idea of  because people are tremendously logical creatures.  To get some idea of
608  how logical we are, please visit @url{http://cyc.com}.  Cycorp is  how logical we are, please visit @url{http://cyc.com}.  Cycorp is
609  building a gigantic database of common sense knowledge within the  building a gigantic database of common-sense knowledge within the
610  framework of predicate calculus.  This suggests that every human  framework of predicate calculus.  This suggests that every human
611  adult contains millions of logical assertions.  adult contains millions of logical assertions.
612    
613  What do we want to say about logic?  If we survey religion while wearing  What do we want to say about logic?  If we survey religion while wearing
614  our logician hat then we can find certain patterns in philosophical  our logician hat then we can find certain patterns in religious
615  thought.  We will consider logical, illogical, and tautological  teachings.  We will consider logical, illogical, and tautological
616  assertions.  assertions.
617    
618  @itemize  @menu
619  @item Logical  * Logical::
620    * Illogical::
621    * Tautological::
622    * Logic in Aleader::
623    @end menu
624    
625  They can be used to develop philosophical world-models which attempt to  @node Logical
626  explain various religious concepts.  Zoroaster Sankaracharya.  However,  @subsection Logical
 it is not clear how much religious significance a logical world-model  
 alone can offer.  
627    
628  @item Illogical  Logic can be used to develop philosophical world-models which advocate
629    religious behavior.  One of the many instances of this style
630    can be found in Zoroastrianism, as articulated by Zarathustra.  He
631    proposed that all events in the world operate according to cause and effect.
632    For example, if a person steals from someone then he should not be
633    surprised when some day he will be robbed as well.  This principle is
634    clearly a logical implication:
635    
636  Zen Buddhism is good source of illogical religious assertions.  @display
637    if @math{X} then @math{Y}
638    @end display
639    
640  Where illogic falls short is that it is not very good at anything else.  In pointing out the logical structure, we do not intend to invalidate the
641  If you try to apply illogic as a general approach then  religious principle.  We do not advocate thievery.  We are merely pointing
642  it tempts you to go against common sense.  out how logic is used as a vehicle for religion.
643    
644    On the other hand, reliance on logic opens up a dangerous vulnerability.
645    An improbable sequence of events may violate the stated logical
646    implication.  What if I steal something but am not punished?  It could
647    happen, and then I might be tempted to test the empirically validity of
648    other religious implications.  Worse, I might start a business based
649    upon the empirical evidence that a religious principle is only true 75% of
650    the time.
651    
652    Perhaps logic is a useful vehicle for delivering background information.
653    Humans are particularly fond of logic. It is absorbed readily.
654    However, it seems perilous to rely on implication or inference as
655    a delivery medium for the main points of a religious teaching.
656    
657    @node Illogical
658    @subsection Illogical
659    
660    Zen Buddhism has experimented extensively with logically intractable
661    assertions.  Here are some famous Zen koans with which you are probably
662    already familiar:
663    
664  @item Tautological  @itemize @bullet
665    @item What is the sound of one hand clapping?
666    @item How does your face look before your parents' birth?
667    @item If a tree falls in a forest but nobody is there to hear
668    it, does it make a sound?
669    @item A monk in all seriousness asked Joshu:
670    ``Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?''  Joshu retorted ``Mu!''
671    @end itemize
672    
673    Cautiously we opine a teacher's justification for the use of koans: The
674    aspirant of self-realization is constantly involved in a logical
675    thinking process, out of habit.  He is not able to suspend his mentation
676    by force of will.  His addiction to mentation is preventing the
677    experience of self-realization.  If the logical process can be throttled
678    then self-realization will have a chance to occur.  Therefore, let us
679    very seriously put the aspirant to the task of analyzing a koan.
680    Thereby, the aspirant's logic will fail enough times that his reliance
681    on logic will diminish.
682    
683    So far so good, but what if the aspirant learns to attribute some truth
684    value to illogical statements?  This is a dangerous possibility.  When
685    we start indulging in illogic, new things become possible which a
686    logical person would evaluate as obviously stupid.  Illogically, I may
687    decide to rebel against common sense.  For example, most people
688    find it sensible to work and make money.  With money we can procure food
689    and shelter.  This is logical.  However, if I prefer to rely on illogic
690    then I can decide: ``I don't want to work. I don't need money.  I will
691    find food and shelter somehow.''
692    
693    On the other hand, we cannot condemn illogic. Controlled use of illogic
694    may trigger an exporation of new solutions to sticky problems.  All we can
695    do is suggest caution.  Care should be taken when entertaining illogical
696    assertions, especially illogical assertions of religious significance.
697    
698    @node Tautological
699    @subsection Tautological
700    
701  Perhaps the simplest religious tautology is:  Perhaps the simplest religious tautology is:
702    
# Line 633  Perhaps the simplest religious tautology Line 705  Perhaps the simplest religious tautology
705  @end quotation  @end quotation
706    
707  Despite the logical vacuity of the assertion, we feel like there is  Despite the logical vacuity of the assertion, we feel like there is
708  suggestion of a majestic ineffable.  Perhaps tautology is a good vehicle  suggestion of some majestic ineffable.  Perhaps tautology is a good vehicle
709  for religion.  We feel the 108 names of Ganesh is another fine example.  for religion.  We feel the 108 names of Ganesh is another fine example.
710  In this case, there are 108 equivalences:  In this case, there are 108 equivalences:
711    
# Line 641  In this case, there are 108 equivalences Line 713  In this case, there are 108 equivalences
713  @math{AA = AB = AC = AD = @dots{} = DD = DE}  @math{AA = AB = AC = AD = @dots{} = DD = DE}
714  @end display  @end display
715    
716  One more variation of religious tautology makes use of pre-conceptual  The idea of tautology also suggests a rebuttal for those who claim
717  elements.  The idea is to activate tautology pre-conceptually, before  Hinduism is a polytheistic religion.  No doubt there are many Gods in
718  logic has much of a chance to get started.  A good example is the method  Hinduism.  However, we can consider all these Gods to be different
719  of giving self-realization in Sahaja Yoga.  We ask the aspirant to place  personalities of a single God by collecting them into a tautological
720  his hand on various parts of the body and repeat an affirmation.  The  equation.  In fact, I believe that this is the only sensible way to
721  affirmation is conceptual.  The pre-conceptual element is the associated  understand Hinduism, as a monotheistic religion which makes extensive
722  posture which helps evoke the matching feeling.  use of tautology.
723    
724    One more variation of religious tautology includes pre-conceptual
725    elements.  The idea is to trigger tautology pre-conceptually, before any
726    logic process has much time to get started.  A good example is the
727    method of giving self-realization as taught in Sahaja Yoga.  We ask the
728    aspirant to place his right hand on various parts of the left side of
729    the body and repeat a corresponding affirmation.  The affirmation is
730    conceptual.  The pre-conceptual element is the associated posture which
731    evokes a matching feeling.  The tautology could be written as:
732    
733  @display  @display
734  affirmation @math{=} posture feeling  affirmation @math{=} posture feeling
735  @end display  @end display
736    
737  @end itemize  So far, we have mostly discussed the @emph{advantages} of tautology as a
738    vehicle for religion.  Perhaps the only difficulty with tautology is
739    that it is hard to say anything.  Some special intuition seems required
740    to invent tautological assertions of religion significance.
741    
742    @node Logic in Aleader
743    @subsection Logic in Aleader
744    
745    We have discussed the pros & cons of using logical, illogical, and
746    tautological statements as a delivery medium for religion.  We now look
747    at the use of logic in Aleader.
748    
749    @itemize @bullet
750    @item
751    Aleader is mostly logical.  It is not merely logical, but we have gone
752    to all-out to meet the high standards of scientific research.
753    
754    @item
755    Aleader also makes use of pre-conceptual tautology.  To verify the
756    empathy mapping, we are asked to judge the similarity among a set of
757    film clips.  As the clips are expected to evoke a similar feeling, a
758    tautology is formed.  This tautology is at least partial pre-conceptual
759    because film is more or less pre-conceptual.
760    
761  Aleader is surely a logical world-model.  Despite the fact that Aleader  @end itemize
 was conceived as a religious device, we have gone to all-out to conform  
 to scientific norms.  Our religious ideas are carefully segregated from  
 the formal logical core.  Aleader also makes use of pre-conceptual  
 tautology.  To verify the empathy mapping, we are asked to judge the  
 similarity among a set of film clips.  As the clips are expected to  
 evoke a similar feeling, a tautology is formed.  This tautology is at  
 least partial pre-conceptual because film is more or less  
 pre-conceptual.  
762    
763  @node Maturity, Names, Logic, Situation Assessment  @node Maturity, Names, Logic, Situation Assessment
764  @section Maturity  @section Maturity
# Line 788  ability as assessment quotient. Line 883  ability as assessment quotient.
883    
884  AQ  AQ
885    
886    @node Summary
887    @section Summary
888    
889    @c @section References
890    
891  @node Annotated Bibliography, Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi, Empiricism, Situation Assessment  @node Annotated Bibliography, Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi, Empiricism, Situation Assessment
892  @section Annotated Bibliography  @section Annotated Bibliography
893    
 @menu  
 * Mataji Shri Nirmala Devi::  
 @end menu  
   
894  @table @asis  @table @asis
895  @item ``Cosmic Consciousness'' by Richard Maurice Bucke  @item ``Cosmic Consciousness'' by Richard Maurice Bucke
896  The first part of this book is an astonishingly lucid discussion of our  The first part of this book is an astonishingly lucid discussion of our
897  evolution from the sensual to the conceptual.  The second part of the  evolution from the sensual to the conceptual.  The second part of the
898  book, case studies, is of lesser interest.  book, case studies, is of lesser interest.
899    
900    @item The Three Pillars of Zen by Roshi Philip Kapleau
901    A good reference work about Zen Buddhism.
902    
903  @item I Ching by ?  @item I Ching by ?
904  There is a tradition of using dice with the I Ching.  Dice never  There is a tradition of using dice with the I Ching.  Dice never
905  interested me.  What is interesting is the construction of the model.  interested me.  What is interesting is the construction of the model.

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