Intellect

To summarize the last post; When we make choices there are two factors involved. One is the desire itself and the other is our deliberation. We deliberate to determine if the desire is good and should be pursued and then think about the right way to go about making it happen. If desire is dictating actions without checking in with reason, there is no filter. This is what is meant by vice. Well being isn't considered and it is harder to say such actions are by choice. But if desires aren't involved, the actions become routine and mechanical. Actions done this way are done out of duty or another higher ideal. It is hard to say that these actions are by choice either. It is only by having desire and reason working harmoniously together that we control our choices. Good reasoning chooses good desires and good choices are made. We see this conflict in religious studies. Faith verses works or flesh verses spirit. But we have to admit that faith without works is dead and the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak....Both need to work together properly to make good choices.

Now we are looking at the intellect. It is the part of our rational mind that obtains, stores and analyzes information. Some areas exist to make material things, some to figure out the world around us, and yet others help us make judgment calls concerning the direction of our lives. It is an interesting topic and today there are numerous theories about the origin. But we are studying the areas themselves and looking at their characteristics.

We have already discussed the scientific part where we make associations between things we observe. Scientific things have to be presented to others where they can see the same thing. Science is concerned with actions and things that repeat themselves and so we find constants and rules by observation. It deals with certainties and tries to eliminate variables The next area is art.

The area of our intellect called art makes variations. We study words and paragraph structure to write books and plays. Another area of art would be architecture. In this area we study the science of structure then we put it to use with our creativity. Art isn't concerned as much with constants but it uses them to make what is in the creators head. All art has the origin of a maker and an object that he wants to make or has already made. It excludes things that just come natural. Some say that natural things are artwork from God but we are discussing the human intellect and things that come out of the human mind. An artist takes existing objects and makes what he wills out of them.

After art we have practical wisdom. Some believe this is the most important area of the intellect.





 

Entering Into the Arena

Reason thinks about things concerning the facts vs fiction; if something is doable or impossible. Desires are associated with likes and dislikes. Coupled together, we make choices that result in actions.  With each desire experienced, we think about the ramifications and determine if pursuing it will lead to a good and happy life. To make quality choices two areas are in agreement: desire and intellect.  To be governed by desire alone will take away choices. To live by reason alone, ignoring our own desires, also takes away choice.  By combining deliberation and desire, factors such as timing, others and the best approach enter into the mix and choices are given freedom and quality.  This is the practical application of our intellect.

 We cannot be creatures of choices without having the ability to fulfill our own desires, having a concept of right and wrong, and a way for us to determine the best way to live an enjoyable life. Our intellect is the arena of determination so it is a good idea to study it out.When the intellect is working in the arena of morals and character it is working with our desires. But the function of our intellect by itself is determining the difference between fact and fiction; true and false.  

The arenas of the soul where truth is examined are art, scientific knowledge, practical wisdom, philosophical wisdom and intuitive reason. Things such as judgment and opinion don’t belong in this arena since we are concerned only about truth and want to lay aside feelings and self-interest.

People tend to generalize and put everything under science so we need to describe what we mean in this context. Scientific knowledge comes from things that exist. We examine them and form conclusions about their characteristics. It forms the foundation of our knowledge since we learn by association. The more we are organized at examining things properly and in context, the more likely our conclusions will be accurate. Most of the everyday things we conclude are assumed. Science demonstrates in depth conclusions about similarities and reactions. Observed consistencies are true while inconsistencies are false.

Art is a word that is used toward design today. But what it really means is the ability to make things. And we will examine this next time…

I'm Pretty Sure.

It is easy to tell someone that they must do what is right. We make statements such as “take the right medicine” or “live healthy and well”. But how do we determine what is right once we know the particulars? We want to understand truth, figure the right rules out and what adjustments need to be made to fix things when we wander off into extremes. We also want to be creative and improve our lives. But we want what we create to work and have beauty. Of course the objective is always to bring happiness and satisfaction to the soul.

We have looked at things that give us good character. They deal with morality that benefits us for the long term. This is but one area of the rational part of our soul. The other rational area is our intellect. So we have character and intellect. The rational soul has two ways it processes information.

One sees what is definite, sure and forms facts while the other sees variables, possibilities and makes calculations. Both areas have a purpose and we certainly want to use them to the best of our ability.

There is a certain level of comfort when things are sure. But our creative side wants to calculate and find variables. We spend a lot of money to predict weather and earthquakes with surety but have to admit that they are still random events. Religion, politics and science have the objective to find surety for our lives. But we have to admit that the more we generalize the less freedom there is. That can be a conflict for those who are ambitious. 

We all want surety and safety but also want adventure.  This applies to intellectual pursuits also. With experience, it is easy to settle into forgone conclusions and get comfortable with what we know. But in the same way that exercise is important for health, calculating and addressing variables is important for the mind. It is even more important than ever that we embrace change and delve into the unknown. Of course it is important also to know what doesn't change so we aren't wasting our time with unnecessary effort. This is where experience helps us. So let’s go a little deeper into these areas. First, we will examine how we form conclusions.

This was a repeat of a previous post in some ways but I felt that the way I presented it wasn't as clear as it could be. Having  a good foundation and application is important to keep this interesting. 

The Virtue of the Soul

When we are talking about ethics, we are looking for behaviors that lead to a good life. It encompasses the environment of a workplace, our homes and our communities. But what is the goal of goodness? Is it success? popularity? security? it seems that every good thing leads to something else. Success so we can prosper, popularity to give us friends, security so we can keep what we earn. They all lead to an ultimate, something that doesn't have another thing in mind and that is happiness. We want everyone happy in the workplace, our family and our communities. Happiness occurs when series of good things continue to happen that satisfy our soul. But it is hard to define good since every person has different desires, personalities and upbringing. We call something good when we use it to its best potential. That is what is meant by virtue. Neglect and excess toward things in life can cause unhappiness. The right amount needed varies with the individual in the same way that nutritional needs vary between people according to their metabolism, activity level etc. We all tend to chase after what brings us the most enjoyment. But we can't say that everything that is fun is also good. Some things that are very enjoyable also have the potential to cut off other goods if we don't direct them properly: in the right amount, at the right time, with the right people etc.The process of figuring this out is the study of ethics. The ultimate of course is to have a good life and to be happy. Ethics examines how to make life, work and play an enjoyable experience for everyone..starting with ourselves. The virtue of the soul is happiness.  

Mapping the Brain

I think it is fascinating how scientists map out the brain and where emotions originate; the areas we have memories, learn and figure things out. Equally intriguing to me is the fact that ancient man also did studies of their own and Aristotle was in the forefront. They didn't have the equipment we have but the conclusions on how our souls confirm true and false and how we conclude what is good are quite accurate. Our day and age we have discovered electricity and magnetism so we detect how it travels in the brain. Electrons are our frame of reference. All the ancients had were observations of each other's behavior, beliefs and what previous studies had shown. The soul, or a man's being, encompasses the entire body similar in the way we look at electricity along our central nervous system.

In some ways, their approach is better because there isn't a fixation on traveling electrons and their paths. There wasn't an agenda to push evolution, randomness or a particular religion at that time. Everyone knows our thoughts and and actions aren't just the result of the spontaneous firing of neurons. Something inside us organizes them and makes choices that result in actions. We have desires, memories and reactions orchestrated through choices by a higher being called our self.

This self has rational ability and standards that must have come from another source. A car doesn't write its own owners manual. It is also unique and creative unlike any other being on the earth. This self has a feeling that it isn't alone in the universe and must have a purpose. Religions are formed to assuage that feeling. I personally have beliefs but they aren't the topic of our study. Our self blends with our desires, emotions, learning, creativity and so much more. It makes the awesome mix that we call an individual.

 Lets continue looking at the soul, its arenas, how we learn, form conclusions, and arrive at truth. We can get lost in the details sometimes and need to step back and observe the whole. Details are my vice and I will try to keep from dragging you into it by keeping this light and understandable. I keep saying that don't I; proof of the vice....