Critique Of The Language To Be Used

Note: This preface could be set aside for later reading because it is more turgid than the rest of the presentation. A technical anatomy of language is condensed which, in fact, has released my prose for an easier flow to follow. Importantly formative ideas are included here--notably about the "Belief Trap" into which language has led humanity--but they might be read more fruitfully at the end rather than the begining of this presentation.

*My key effort has been to develop a fluid vocabulary—easily understood—featuring selection of the broadest common terminology generically applicable (even if ambiguously) to whatever occasion for use.

The Grinder

*The plan is to encourage a renaissance through semantic simplification—including a synthesis of global philosophy streamlined for enhanced accessibility—allowing common sense to shine better through typical confusion about whatever folks are trying, unsuccessfully, to say.

*A flow of words is often disrupted, notably, by semantic misunderstanding about their proper definition—unnecessarily—since informative meanings are typically determined by the situational context in which words are used.

*Accordingly the non-verbal underlayer of language—consisting of universally rational common sense, naturally—must be consulted routinely in order to use words with flowing flexibility (in a context which hopefully resolves the most troubling ambiguities).

*It is thus helpful to recognize that language is not the only available vehicle for human thought; despite our current addiction to its hypnotic suggestibility and consequent gullibility for gossipy hearsay (which typically departs from common sense).

*Language can indeed be used most realistically (again, in context) as a practical aid in focusing one's mind to look right-at surrounding nature for (non-verbal) instruction on living and thinking; instead of relying too exclusively on deductions from the literal import of words—typically departing from what is obvious—for such practical guidance in the eternal search for truth.

*A closer touch with reality can then be aided more than impeded by nature's gift of language (as a workable model re-creating reality in a rather fictional way; affording perspective—like a mirror—for greater understanding).

*It is imminently practical, therefore, to master the (reversible) subtleties of this gift; along with a natural logic to guide its usage.

*Hegel's advanced logic is recommended for the latter purpose: to combine (triangulate) opposing relationships; rather than routinely rejecting either one or the other of such pairings under elementary logic (taught to western civilization especially by Aristotle and the Old Testament).

*Instead of hopelessly trying to eliminate evil, for example, a more realistic triangulation would balance it with love to produce the good life.

*Whereas the old logic furthermore taught us to dissect the world and label the components—like a frog in biology class—it is now time to put it all back together: with advanced logic and a fluid vocabulary (patterned after ordinary conversation) balanced by more right-brain thinking in the aesthetic terminology of symbolic pictures in addition to words.

James River and "Y" Bridge (Galena, MO)

*Much semantic complication rising from technical definitions (typically developed in the jargon of specialized pursuits) can be set aside as a rather childish exercise—like the meticulous diagramming of sentences in grade school—once one really learns to use ordinary language.

*It might then be noticed that ordinary language imparts lessons of its own condensed colloquially from eons of human experience—in much the same way as mythology and common law have become repositories of empiric wisdom—notwithstanding the distraction of simplistic formalities, cliches and stereotypes that have also accrued along the way.

*In any event the present reliance on language to think for us, in effect, can be relinquished once it is also recognized as a marvelous tool for organizing fundamentally non-verbal thoughts—formulated notably by right-brain visualizations—which can informatively illuminate the literal import of words.

*Humanity is struggling thus toward the maturity of holistic thought—combining verbal and non-verbal faculties—including a hard head and soft heart, naturally.

*All these inborn faculties demand development by individuals thinking rationally for themselves when rising situations present choices about right, wrong and the nature of reality.

*Humans can thereby understand—better than animals—the inscrutable "drift" of things (and relations).

 

*Absolute certainty remains beyond our grasp, however, setting up an existential adventure which makes life interesting; at least for those having typically tough minds.

* The weakest (soft) minds among us pathologically crave verbally-contrived certainty though; like the protective hard shell around a turtle.

*That pathology leads into a belief trap which ends up confusing everyone with a grand departure from reality.

*Verbalized beliefs formulated (inflexibly) by our lowest mental faculty—as ranked in Plato's Riddle of the Line—have been imaginatively mixing up this species for ages.

*Beliefs easily lead humans into the "serpent's deception" as warned (symbolically) by the Book of Genesis: if you chomp into the bait of "forbidden fruit" (language), and start believing uncritically your own words, a dramatic struggle looms ahead as you pass around the poison.

*Once the bait is swallowed deeply enough, humans start second-guessing nature—as alienation from the Garden which spawned us.

*Hope dawns eternally though in philosopher Joseph Campbell's advice to "follow your bliss" back to a state of nature enjoyable by all animals; which can be negotiated nonetheless with our wordy civilization as humans intact.

*Language has thus facilitated a fabulous future in which mythological promises can be reaped by humans as also animal—civilized and savage; seasoned warriors and buddhas at bliss in a garden—when seemingly paradoxical ingredients are integrated into mature personalities capable of deciphering the master riddles of civilization:

*The mighty mythology of Genesis has unfolded long as a dramatic struggle of humans to learn the great gift while imprisoned in the abyssal ignorance of Plato's Cave.

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