"Mind-Imposed" Order
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 20:34 — admin
MICHAEL: Offhand, just a couple. So far we've discussed two types of order or design-that with purpose and that without. Now an objection may be raised in regard to each type, and I'll state the objection to design without purpose first, since if you meet the objection to its counterpart, this one will also be met in a way. However, since I desire to hear your answer to this particular criticism, let me pose it to you first.
Is it not questionable that there really is design in the universe? Different people see different things in different ways, and what appears orderly to one person may not appear orderly to another. A biologist, for example, might perceive order in a type of fungus growing on a damp wall since he understands the intricate mechanisms of cell division and growth, but a layman simply sees a shapeless fuzz.
Also, different people have different concepts of order. Newton's concept of an ordered universe, for example, is much different than the modern view of a quantum physicist, and different still from that of the earliest astronomers. Is there really order in the universe, or do we just create it within our own minds? A passing cloud has no determinant design or order, yet one person may say it looks like a rabbit, and another will swear it is shaped exactly like a fish. A third man may be incapable of seeing either of these forms and just see it as another cloud.
TEACHER: The criticism that order is mind-imposed can be met without too much difficulty. Really, it is not a denial of the concept of order, but rather an observation that perception is affected by increased intelligence.
Due to his training, the biologist was able to perceive how the growth of the fungus was taking place. He could understand how the DNA produced RNA which produced various proteins essential to the survival of the cells, how the genes determined the differentiation within the different cells, and so forth. Thus, his increased intelligence gave him vision or perception of order and design that a layman had no access to. This doesn't prove, however, that order is mind-imposed. Obviously, the order is there, whether the layman can perceive it or not. Obviously, a germ whose entire span of life is only a few hours long won't be able to experience the harmony of the seasons, the rotation of the planets, or even the rising and setting of the sun-but does this mean that order and harmony are not there? If I can perceive order, does this mean that it is mind-imposed just because someone else cannot? This example offers no proof that the universe is without order or design, but rather illustrates that individual concepts of order may vary.
Could it be demonstrated that order is not a principle in nature? The very act of trying to prove this would disprove the hypothesis. The investigator's own thoughts would have to be arranged in an orderly fashion even to begin to deal with the notion. By arranging his thoughts in an orderly fashion, he would establish that order existed.
Now, what was the criticism you mentioned a few moments ago regarding purposeful design?
LIVING ENERGY“Mind-Imposed” Order
We may think we are attracted to the beautiful body of a woman, but actually it is the spark of life which attracts us. When Marilyn Monroe “died”, when the life force left the material body, the body was no longer attractive. All that was left was a lump of unattractive matter that was thrown in the dirt. So is it logical to think that material energy is all-attractive? No. Life force or spirit is the attractive element.
Science of Identity Foundation – Siddhaswarupananda
MICHAEL: Offhand, just a couple. So far we've discussed two types of order or design-that with purpose and that without. Now an objection may be raised in regard to each type, and I'll state the objection to design without purpose first, since if you meet the objection to its counterpart, this one will also be met in a way. However, since I desire to hear your answer to this particular criticism, let me pose it to you first.
Is it not questionable that there really is design in the universe? Different people see different things in different ways, and what appears orderly to one person may not appear orderly to another. A biologist, for example, might perceive order in a type of fungus growing on a damp wall since he understands the intricate mechanisms of cell division and growth, but a layman simply sees a shapeless fuzz.
Also, different people have different concepts of order. Newton's concept of an ordered universe, for example, is much different than the modern view of a quantum physicist, and different still from that of the earliest astronomers. Is there really order in the universe, or do we just create it within our own minds? A passing cloud has no determinant design or order, yet one person may say it looks like a rabbit, and another will swear it is shaped exactly like a fish. A third man may be incapable of seeing either of these forms and just see it as another cloud.
TEACHER: The criticism that order is mind-imposed can be met without too much difficulty. Really, it is not a denial of the concept of order, but rather an observation that perception is affected by increased intelligence.
Due to his training, the biologist was able to perceive how the growth of the fungus was taking place. He could understand how the DNA produced RNA which produced various proteins essential to the survival of the cells, how the genes determined the differentiation within the different cells, and so forth. Thus, his increased intelligence gave him vision or perception of order and design that a layman had no access to. This doesn't prove, however, that order is mind-imposed. Obviously, the order is there, whether the layman can perceive it or not. Obviously, a germ whose entire span of life is only a few hours long won't be able to experience the harmony of the seasons, the rotation of the planets, or even the rising and setting of the sun-but does this mean that order and harmony are not there? If I can perceive order, does this mean that it is mind-imposed just because someone else cannot? This example offers no proof that the universe is without order or design, but rather illustrates that individual concepts of order may vary.
Could it be demonstrated that order is not a principle in nature? The very act of trying to prove this would disprove the hypothesis. The investigator's own thoughts would have to be arranged in an orderly fashion even to begin to deal with the notion. By arranging his thoughts in an orderly fashion, he would establish that order existed.
Now, what was the criticism you mentioned a few moments ago regarding purposeful design?