Now since the required ground of our knowledge---i.e. of our conviction---of a fact is the possession of such a syllogism... beforehand, but know them better than the conclusion... Aristotle (384-322 BC)

"Now since the required ground of our knowledge---i.e. of our conviction---of a fact is the possession of such a syllogism... and the ground of the syllogism is the facts constituting its premises, we must not only know the primary premises---some if not all---beforehand, but know them better than the conclusion... So since the primary premises are the cause of our knowledge---i.e. of our conviction---it follows that we know them better---that is, are more convinced of them---than their consequences, precisely our knowledge of the latter is the effect of our knowledge of the premises."

Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Organon / Analytica Posteriora, Book I (compiled 40 BC by Andronicus of Rhodes)

And so it is, or actually, it is not. Far more preferrable among political, journalistic, academic debates the hurling of opinions, preferences, sentiments, even whims as though foregone conclusions without preceding nor succeeding arguments, facts, evidences, logicalities, consistencies, sustainabilities, ethicalities, as well longstanding moralities and pieties. Instead, various emotions, slanders, defamations, tempers provide the total sum of the rhetoric, stirring and inciting the same among audiences.

"They became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools."

Paul the Apostle (5-65 AD)
Romans 1:21-22 (ESV)

And there lies the covetous, presumptuous, then arrogant rot-at-root, for 21st century society desire nothing other than such drama, regularly preferring entertainment, celebrity, titillation, excitement, incitement, wile, over education, constancy, tutelage, erudition, intelligence, wisdom, while oxymoronically appearing on paper per diploma, credential, certificate, doctorate as the most instructed generation in history.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Every premise states that something either is or must be, or may be the attribute of something else... Aristotle (384-322 BC)

"Every premise states that something either is or must be, or may be the attribute of something else."

Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Organon / Analytica Priora, Book I (compiled 40 BC by Andronicus of Rhodes)

Thus the aforesaid quite obvious, self-evident (or one would think) penned by the Greek philosopher, polymath, certainly logician Aristotle, then some 2100+/- years later, the British economist, mathematician, logician William Stanley Jevons eloquently stated...

"These laws describe the very simplest truths, in which all people must agree, and which at the same time apply to all notions which we can conceive. It is impossible to think correctly and avoid evident self-contradiction unless we observe what are called the Three Primary Laws of Thought, which may be stated as follows:

1. The Law of Identity. Whatever is, is.
2. The Law of Contradiction. Nothing can both be and not be.
3. The Law of Excluded Middle. Everything must either be or not be.

Though these laws when thus stated may seem absurdly obvious...I have found that students are seldom able to see at first their full meaning and importance."

William Stanley Jevons (1835-1882)
Elementary Lessons in Logic: Deductive and Inductive (1870)

Academia therefore history, science and the oxymoronically referenced political science, other disciplines too, having long departed from Logic's obvious, self-evident consistencies, incrementally digressed since the 1880s and 1890s minimally , yet still to this day show no signs, display no evidences to admit the decades of covetously purposeful errors and excesses, then return to reality thereby first humility, inquiry, diligence, perseverance, then observation, logic, consistency, sustainability, ethic, even morality and piety.

To note, until mid 19th century, two mantras (if you will) were together revered throughout academia regardless the discipline; firstly, Logic the Science of Sciences, and secondly, Theology the Queen of Sciences. The latter became obviously absent among podiums and lecterns upon universities' transition to departmentalize thus contextualize from Theology to Religious Studies. While intentionally strategized and subsidized, yet unintentionally digressive then detrimental, for immediately proceeding the incrementally slow erosion from Logic the Science of Sciences until the complexities, contradictions, inconsistencies, corruptions, collusions, conspiracies, even absurdities, idiocies, and depravities boldfaced of the 1910s through 1990s, as well 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s particularly.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

"Often in the actual definitions as well ambiguity creeps in unawares, and for this reason the definitions also should be examined... Aristotle (384-322 BC)

"Often in the actual definitions as well ambiguity creeps in unawares, and for this reason the definitions also should be examined... If we are able to see in one glance what is the same in each individual case of it, we shall be at no lost into what genus we ought to put the object before us when we define it."

Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Organon / Topica, Book I (compiled 40 BC by Andronicus of Rhodes)

So to proceed logically, therefore consistently, sustainably, ethically, even morally and piously, it is paramount... FIRSTLY, to examine, determine, then commit to a name (or specie) for the thing or idea... SECONDLY, to examine, determine, then commit to a definition (or characteristics) for the name of the thing or idea... THIRDLY, to examine, determine, then commit to a category (or genus) also named and defined, in order to categorically place the aforesaid thing or idea as priorly named and defined... FOURLY and ONLY upon the prior three, to proceed towards further examination and determination, further deduction and induction (ratiocination), until furthermore the conclusion then proposition.

Hence festers and foments the rot-at-root of 21st century polities, societies, economies, universities, industries, artistries, communities, all cancerously, terminally diseased with illogicalities, inconsistencies, unsustainabilities, unethicalities, as well immoralities, even impieties, of course, rottenly rooted in covetousness, then presumption, until arrogance, therefore minimizing else dismissing while mocking the absolute necessity for the aforementioned.

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

Quite interesting to note, Apostle Paul first warns against mocking God, then proceed to exemplify with natural causes and effects. And accordingly, so not mocked God the Creator, nor mocked His Creation, as established completely and ordered comprehensively by immovable, unavoidable causalities throughout the cosmos, the universe, the galaxy, the orbit, the planet thus Earth and the specie thus Humanity.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

He who thus domineers over you has only two eyes, only two hands, only one body, no more than is possessed by the least man among the infinite numbers dwelling in your cities... Etienne de La Boétie (1530-1563)

 

See first the earlier post, and the one prior to it... I discovered this young 16th century French writer and his essay when reading works by American abolitionist/secessionist, essayist, political theorist, lawyer, entrepreneur Lysander Spooner (1808-1887)...

"All this havoc, this misfortune, this ruin, descends upon you not from alien foes, but from the one enemy (tyranny) whom you yourselves render as powerful as he is, for whom you go bravely to war, for whose greatness you do not refuse to offer your own bodies unto death. He who thus domineers over you has only two eyes, only two hands, only one body, no more than is possessed by the least man among the infinite numbers dwelling in your cities; he has indeed nothing more than the power that you confer upon him to destroy you. Where has he acquired enough eyes to spy upon you, if you do not provide them yourselves? How can he have so many arms to beat you with, if he does not borrow them from you? The feet that trample down your cities, where does he get them if they are not your own? How does he have any power over you except through you? How would he dare assail you if he had no cooperation from you?"

Etienne de La Boétie (1530-1563)
Discourse on Voluntary Servitude (1577)

The late 20th century Austrian-Misesean economist Rothbard wrote as a forward to the newer translation of Boétie's work, echoing the same indictment of the people that participate, in addition to the despot him/herself...

"Every tyranny must necessarily be grounded upon general popular acceptance. In short, the bulk of the people themselves, for whatever reason, acquiesce in their own subjection. If this were not the case, no tyranny, indeed no governmental rule, could long endure."

Murray Newton Rothbard (1926-1995)
Introduction for Harry Kurz's translation of Boétie's essay (1975)

And so these Towers of Babel throughout history, since antiquities even primitivities, have manifested in various forms; as literal towers or some other public project(s), as excessive governments, of course, as despotic kingdoms then tyrannic empires, as well grand economies puffed up by grander debt only to bust the bubble inevitably. Yet, as much fault oft levied upon tyrants, kings, prime ministers, presidents, parliamentarians, senators, bureaucrats, corporate cronies, and rightly so, they could not have so schemed without a far broader participation among the citizenry. Consequently, if to blame King Nimrod for the tower, therefore if to blame Big Brother for the Orwellian superstate, if to blame the King of France for 16th century state of French affairs, and if to blame King Saul for that which followed during his reign and the reigns to come, then blame too all those who participated, benefited, supported, etc.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Perversionism; to consent or dissent on all matters per his/her preference, yet remain discontented, disconcerted even disturbed until others act, speak even think compatibly...

Once again :-), I am NOT Democrat, Liberal, Left, NOR Republican, Conservative, Right, certainly NOT Moderate, near-Center Left else near-center Right hence more confused than others. Furthermore, I am NOT Libertarian who's ideology and party morphed years ago to Republican-Lite therefore as erroneous as the priorly stated three.

With that said, depending on the issue I am critiquing, others will categorize then slander my posture as one of the aforementioned. And so, narrowed even hobbled thinking, per simplistically misleading linear scale(s), remains cancerously widespread.

A moment ago, I posted the quote attached and below in regards to yet another issue and trend where many if not most whether Liberal or Conservative, Left or Right, Democrat or Republican, though free to think, speak, behave as they prefer, are oddly even maniacally therefore covetously still discontented because others are not thinking, speaking, behaving similarly. Truly astonishing!!! I have long proposed these two isms, as well documented the same in my last three books...

Perversionism; to consent or dissent on all matters per his/her preference, yet remain discontented, disconcerted even disturbed until others act, speak even think compatibly, similarly by force legal or illegal thus force governmental, social or personal. It is critical to include in consideration and understanding the word and sentiment covetousness as the indisputable perquisite to such perversion.

In start contrast to...

Individualism; the constant respect hence consistent regard for each and every person's Peculiar Human Ability to Reason as manifested per the Singular Human Right to Consent or Dissent on all matters. Without exemption or exception, all considerations must rest upon the aforesaid, else the unethical dilemma remaining unjustifiable ergo unresolvable till resumed and revered the one ethos and creed as determined then established since humanity first reasoned.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen... Samuel the Seer/Prophet (1070-1012 BC)

See first the prior post, for the verses are referenced... Now, the entire context, the historical as well modernly applicable warning by the Old Testament prophet Samuel...

"And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us."

Samuel the Seer/Prophet (1070-1012 BC)
1 Samuel 8:10-19, King James Version (1611)

Isn't interesting, when the Hebrews covetously, presumptuously, arrogantly disrespected then disregarded the prophet Samuel's divinely inspired warning against monarchic thus unaccountable monocratic, despotic, tyrannic rule over pluralistic thus accountable logical, ethical, moral, even pious self rule, as during era of the Judges, it was a point of no return as well documented for centuries thereafter until the Roman occupation then destruction and scattering in 70 AD.

Oh, would have the American colonials listened to such warnings and ancient lessons during the summer of 1787 and the years that followed? Wait, the American colonials were warned numerously, and in great detail, per the newspaper articles now compiled and entitled Anti-Federalist Papers. Yet like the Hebrews, they covetously, presumptuously, arrogantly disrespected then disregarded those warnings and still do today.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever... George Orwell (1903-1950)

 

Many will quote solely the last line by Orwell, thus; "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever." And rightly so, for immediately the imagination reels by the resulting contemplation then disturbance.

Yet the entire paragraph chills further the bones upon reading each sentence, every subject and predicate, any term even word. It is astonishing the seemingly prophetic or predictive nature of it. More accurately, the mere observation of current events then study of recent history, combined with understanding the covetous character and inevitable digression when expansive, excessive, extravagant the power thus governance; all naturally, logically facilitates the mind to innately  deduce then induce (ratiocinate) to similar propositions. Same is quite true if to read Etienne de La Boétie's 1577 essay Discourse on Voluntary Servitude, and more so the Old Testament passage 1st Samuel, chapter 8, verses 10 through 19.

Enough of my rambling, now the lengthy however noteworthy excerpt by Orwell....

"The old civilizations claimed that they were founded on love or justice. Ours is founded upon hatred. In our world there will be no emotions except fear, rage, triumph, and self-abasement. Everything else we shall destroy—everything. Already we are breaking down the habits of thought which have survived from before the Revolution. We have cut the links between child and parent, and between man and man, and between man and woman. No one dares trust a wife or a child or a friend any longer. But in the future there will be no wives and no friends. Children will be taken from their mothers at birth, as one takes eggs from a hen. The sex instinct will be eradicated. Procreation will be an annual formality like the renewal of a ration card. We shall abolish the orgasm. Our neurologists are at work upon it now. There will be no loyalty, except loyalty towards the Party. There will be no love, except the love of Big Brother. There will be no laughter, except the laugh of triumph over a defeated enemy. There will be no art, no literature, no science. When we are omnipotent we shall have no more need of science. There will be no distinction between beauty and ugliness. There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always—do not forget this, Winston—always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever."

George Orwell (1903-1950)
1984: Big Brother Is Watching You (1949)

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter... Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

"When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit."

Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

Atlas Shrugged (1957)

Yet, the 21st century Specie Human, upon the many academic endeavors well documented, of course, per countless diplomas, certificates, dissertations, journals, articles, books, then further confirmed again well documented by increasingly unsustainable debt, would rather propose, converse, debate, and argue over far more politic, agenda, opinion, preference, emotion, trend, whim, fancy, even delusion, thus far less reality.

Realities triggers the 21st century Specie Human thereupon emotes, saddens, weeps, even angers, maddens, hates, then disrupts, ruins, destroys as well harms him/herself and violates others, when presented with evidences, facts, causalities, scarcities, limitations, etc.

The aforementioned state of mind gravely digresses once arriving to maturity and beyond, if suggested to fully else partially bear his/her inherent responsibilities and risks, thereby the rage maniacally, lunatically, psychotically intensifies, covetously without reason hence depravedly without awareness, observation, logic, consistency, ethic, morality, and piety.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.

Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath...

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Come, let us Reason!

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Lets go over one more time, boys and girls, the follow isms and the observable, logical, consistent definitions...

 

Lets go over one more time, boys and girls, the follow isms and the observable, logical, consistent definitions. If understood in breadth and depth, then one would be slow to blame the other party over his/her preferred party, rather quick to criticize both equally thus for identical and/or similar reasons...

INDIVIDUALISM; the constant respect hence consistent regard for each and every person's Peculiar Human Ability to Reason as manifested per the Singular Human Right to Consent or Dissent on ALL matters.

In stark contrast as well inhumanely antagonistic...

COMMUNISM; the forceful bottom-up confiscatory methodology towards total control of the economy, thereby property and production owned collectively, publicly, centrally thus governmentally.

FASCISM; the forceful top-down regulatory methodology towards total control of the economy, thereby property and production owned individually, privately yet regulated centrally thus governmentally nevertheless.

CRONYISM or CORPORATISM; similarly Fascism in part although eventually whole, progressing incrementally, digressing inevitably towards the same total control of the economy (i.e. United States, most other western democracies).

SOCIALISM; the necessary power-exchange or political barter for Fascism, Communism, Cronyism or Corporatism, achieving governmental authority and jurisdiction by seducing the masses to forgo Individualism or Individual sovereignty in part or whole while appeased, subsidized, purchased with services, goods, monies underwritten by aforesaid Fascistic regulatory or Communistic confiscatory appropriations of each and every person’s purse, possession, property and production and the subjugation of the same person’s propensity, prerogative, preference and purpose.

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

US Government and America covetously, presumptuously, arrogantly remains unaware, unmindful, unconcerned, uncaring, else unmoved, certainly unrepentant and unchanged, ergo critical lessons yet learned... My apologies.

 

The 1910 painting entitled The First Fight for Independence, Lexington Common, April 19, 1775 by English artist William Barnes Wollen (1857-1936), currently displayed at the National Army Museum in London, England.

At onset I shall declare quite clearly, ardently, historically, logically, consistently, ethically. All were avoidable whether the American Revolutionary War's first battles at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, or the War of 1812's first volley cannoned upon Captain John Rodgers' orders from deck of the frigate USS President off Long Island's coast in New York, else the Battle of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor of South Carolina, as well the Japanese aerial attack on Peal Harbor in Hawaii, the Gulf of Tonkin incident per initial shots fired by USS Maddox near North Vietnamese islands, the destruction and death per hijacked commercial passenger jets suicidally flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington County of Virginia, as well crashed in Somerset County of Pennsylvania, and most if not all those US wars and conflicts amid these tragedies and since 11 September 2001.

With that said, my sympathies and prayers for those who perished among the aforementioned events as well the surviving families then descendants, in some cases generations.

Still to this day as prior to 9/11 hence 21st century, US Government continues to maintain and expand foreign influence, intervention, interference, imposition, intrusion, infiltration, invasion politically, socially, militarily, economically, financially, monetarily therefore manipulatively even aggressively while covertly as well overtly, in the very same manner domestically, minimally since 1913, however arguably since summer of 1787 then 1788, 1791, 1794, 1795, 1801, 1803, 1812, 1823, to merely exemplify thus more... much more!

US Government and America covetously, presumptuously, arrogantly remains unaware, unmindful, unconcerned, uncaring, else unmoved, certainly unrepentant and unchanged, ergo critical lessons yet learned.

My apologies.

---

Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Every nation has the government it deserves... Joseph Marie, comte de Maistre (1753-1821), and two other quotes by James Madison and Francis Schaeffer...

 

As national, societal, communal, and personal morality continue to regularly, covetously decline towards widespread depravity, unavoidably so too the quality of candidates therefore the integrity of politicians proportionately, covetously decline towards widespread corruption, connivance, complicity, collaboration, collusion, chicanery, cronyism, conspiracy, coverup, and more.

"Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle mérite." Translation; "Every nation has the government it deserves."

Joseph Marie, comte de Maistre (1753-1821)
Lettres et Opuscules (1811)

"What is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections of human nature?"

James Madison (1751-1836)
Federalist Paper No. 51 (1788)

To note, Madison's quote and article first published in 1788 by the newspapers New York Independent Journal, New-York Packet, and The Daily Advertiser, later known as Federalist Paper No. 51 compiled along with articles by John Jay and Alexander Hamilton. Additionally, the rightly counter-arguments are worthy of study, known as the Anti-Federalist Papers, articles written by Patrick Henry, George Mason, Melancton Smith, Samuel Adams, and others who ardently objected the 2nd constitution schemed in Philadelphia the summer of 1787.

Lastly, the quote, book, thus reason I twice included the adverb "covetously"...

"The climax of the Ten Commandments is the Tenth Commandment – 'Thou shat not covet' – Actually we break this last commandment, not to covet, before we break any of the others. Any time that we break one of the other commandments of God, it means that we have already broken this commandment, in coveting."

Francis A. Schaeffer (1912-1984)
True Spirituality (1971)

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Scripture does not speak the language of science but that of daily experience... Herman Bavinck (1854-1921)

"Everyone agrees, after all, that Scripture does not speak the language of science but that of daily experience; that also in telling the story of creation it assumes a geocentric or anthropocentric viewpoint; and that in this connection it is not attempting to give a lesson in geology or any other science but, also in the story of the genesis of all creatures, remains the book of religion, revelation, and the knowledge of God. We do not read in the Gospel that the Lord said: 'I will send to you a Paraclete who will teach you about the course of the sun and moon!' For he wanted to make Christians, not mathematicians."

Herman Bavinck (1854-1921)
Reformed Dogmatics Vol. 2 (1895-1901)

It is true, Scripture can be categorized into two parts merely for sake of human consideration while remaining tightly intertwined, interrelated...

First, the text self-evident in regards to the human ability to reason as endowed initially by God's Divine Breath in the Garden, soon later prevented from Original Sin's total destruction by God's Common Grace, allowing for the usual deduction and induction (ratiocination) of such historical, insightful accounts.

Second, the text mysterious in regards to the human inability to reason further, necessitating Divine Revelation, however endowed initially by God's Divine Breath in the Garden, soon later prevented from Original Sin's total destruction by God's Common Grace, allowing for the usual deduction and induction (ratiocination), although the aforementioned sinful effects graciously mitigated, remaining still limited therefore flawed, erroneously inclined, excessively disposed, even quite depraved upon the constant presence of Covetousness, so to state again; necessitating Divine Revelation per the text mysterious thus Particular Grace as integrally apart.

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

There is nonetheless one aspect of the Newtonian world that is not explained by Newton's theory, and that is Newton's theory itself... David Berlinski (1942-), and a quote by Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)...

Reposting yesterday's text with an emphasis on the second quote by mathematician and philosopher David Berlinski, the first quote by theologian and polymath Abraham Kuyper and as follows...

"The distinction must clearly be maintained. What God Himself does not bear witness to in your soul personally (not mystic-absolutely, but through the Scriptures) can never be known and confessed by you as Divine. Finite reasoning can never obtain the infinite as its result. If God then withdraws Himself, if in the soul of men He bear no more witness to the truth of His Word, men can no longer believe, and no apologetics, however brilliant, will ever be able to restore the blessing of faith in the Scripture. Faith, quickened by God Himself, is invincible; pseudo-faith, which rests merely upon reasoning, is devoid of all spiritual reality, so that it bursts like a soap-bubble as soon as the thread of your reasoning breaks."

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)
Encyclopedia of Sacred Theology (1894)

I am not sure any more can be added to this quote and commentary by Kuyper, yet here I go, humbly. The rot-at-root is human covetousness, the innate sin in us all, always ready to incite our psychology thus propensities and prerogatives then preferences to apply our truly unique and peculiar ability to reason as the final arbiter even upon those things obviously beyond mysterious and divine.

So we tempt ourselves while rightly, necessarily pursuing knowledge to theorize causal, logical possibilities, however also to imagine, to conjure what lies beyond the mysterious and divine "other" side of the Law of Gravity, beyond the mysterious and divine "other" side of laws governing atoms ergo protons, neutrons, electrons, and other small particles, and more.

In so doing, we covetously, presumptuously, arrogantly arrive to something that equally, exceedingly, even excessively requiring belief per grave lack of material evidence, yet claiming then insisting the same over time as foregone conclusions while dissing, ridiculing, as well slandering anything contrary. I must momentarily suspend my rambling in favor of the following excerpt from a book by mathematician and philosopher David Berlinski that I highly recommend, in addition to Isaac Newton's magnum opus and thesis Principia (1687)...

"If Newton's Principia has given the future of mathematical physics its characteristic shape, it has given the future its characteristic question as well. The Newtonian universe is a closed physical system. Whatever happens takes place as the result of casual interactions between material objects. There is nonetheless one aspect of the Newtonian world that is not explained by Newton's theory, and that is Newton's theory itself. The law of universal gravitation binds the world's far-flung particles into a coherent whole; but the law is itself transcendent. It cannot be given an explanation in material terms.

This is true as well for the equations governing electromagnetic field, Einstein's field equation for general relativity, and Schrödinger's wave equation in quantum mechanics. The laws of nature by which nature is explained are not themselves a part of nature. No physical theory predicts their existence nor explains their power. They exist beyond space and time; they gain purchase by an act of the imagination and not observation, they are the tantalizing traces in matter of an intelligence that has so far hidden itself in symbols. Efforts to explain the laws of nature in terms of still further laws of nature that explain themselves have been unavailing. They are what they are."

David Berlinski (1942-)
Newton's Gift (2000)

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

Finite reasoning can never obtain the infinite as its result... Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920), and a quote by David Berlinski (1942-)...

"The distinction must clearly be maintained. What God Himself does not bear witness to in your soul personally (not mystic-absolutely, but through the Scriptures) can never be known and confessed by you as Divine. Finite reasoning can never obtain the infinite as its result. If God then withdraws Himself, if in the soul of men He bear no more witness to the truth of His Word, men can no longer believe, and no apologetics, however brilliant, will ever be able to restore the blessing of faith in the Scripture. Faith, quickened by God Himself, is invincible; pseudo-faith, which rests merely upon reasoning, is devoid of all spiritual reality, so that it bursts like a soap-bubble as soon as the thread of your reasoning breaks."

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)
Encyclopedia of Sacred Theology (1894)

I am not sure any more can be added to this quote and commentary by Kuyper, yet here I go, humbly. The rot-at-root is human covetousness, the innate sin in us all, always ready to incite our psychology thus propensities and prerogatives then preferences to apply our truly unique and peculiar ability to reason as the final arbiter even upon those things obviously beyond mysterious and divine.

So we tempt ourselves while rightly, necessarily pursuing knowledge to theorize causal, logical possibilities, however also to imagine, to conjure what lies beyond the mysterious and divine "other" side of the Law of Gravity, beyond the mysterious and divine "other" side of laws governing atoms ergo protons, neutrons, electrons, and other small particles, and more.

In so doing, we covetously, presumptuously, arrogantly arrive to something that equally, exceedingly, even excessively requiring belief per grave lack of material evidence, yet claiming then insisting the same over time as foregone conclusions while dissing, ridiculing, as well slandering anything contrary. I must momentarily suspend my rambling in favor of the following excerpt from a book by mathematician and philosopher David Berlinski that I highly recommend, in addition to Isaac Newton's magnum opus and thesis Principia (1687)...

"If Newton's Principia has given the future of mathematical physics its characteristic shape, it has given the future its characteristic question as well. The Newtonian universe is a closed physical system. Whatever happens takes place as the result of casual interactions between material objects. There is nonetheless one aspect of the Newtonian world that is not explained by Newton's theory, and that is Newton's theory itself. The law of universal gravitation binds the world's far-flung particles into a coherent whole; but the law is itself transcendent. It cannot be given an explanation in material terms.

This is true as well for the equations governing electromagnetic field, Einstein's field equation for general relativity, and Schrödinger's wave equation in quantum mechanics. The laws of nature by which nature is explained are not themselves a part of nature. No physical theory predicts their existence nor explains their power. They exist beyond space and time; they gain purchase by an act of the imagination and not observation, they are the tantalizing traces in matter of an intelligence that has so far hidden itself in symbols. Efforts to explain the laws of nature in terms of still further laws of nature that explain themselves have been unavailing. They are what they are."

David Berlinski (1942-)
Newton's Gift (2000)

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

If the economy privately does not demand enough interest or rally enough resource for a given project or program, then why should government then act contrary to such lack of demand and/or investment?

 

"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all. We disapprove of state education. Then the socialists say that we are opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality. And so on, and so on. It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise grain."

Claude-Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850)
The Law (La Loi, 1850)

Among the many concepts and thoughts regarding free trade, free market, free economy, this (quote) perhaps the most difficult to understand, else the most difficult to embrace. For most if not nearly all have their sacred cows, that is, their pet projects or programs they deem absolutely necessary for government involvement, regulation, taxation, management, even for government total control (monopoly) thereof.

Whether it is healthcare, welfare, Social Security, education, transportation, water projects, libraries, and more, enough of the population will cry "Foul!" if to counter and suggest privatization, adding that the matter in question will be done poorly, or left undone, if not for government.

I would recommend asking oneself the following. If the economy privately does not demand enough interest or rally enough resource for a given project or program, then why should government then act contrary to such lack of demand and/or investment? If the economy privately cannot afford a given project or program, then what enables government to afford since revenue (taxation) comes first from the people, and second, from printing fiat that imposes inflation later upon the people?

Per such considerations, perhaps the project or program should not be done at all, in the same way a company will cease to offer a product or service that the consumers no longer demand. And would it be not be immoral if the same company hired gunmen to force consumers to buy the unwanted product or service? So it is with government.

To note, I highly recommend reading the book mentioned above per quote by the early 19th century French economist Claude-Frédéric Bastiat. The link below is a free online copy, thus the opening paragraph...

"The law perverted! The law — and, in its wake, all the collective forces of the nation — the law, I say, not only diverted from its proper direction, but made to pursue one entirely contrary! The law become the tool of every kind of avarice, instead of being its check! The law guilty of that very iniquity which it was its mission to punish! Truly, this is a serious fact, if it exists, and one to which I feel bound to call the attention of my fellow citizens."

Free online copy provided by Mises Institute...
https://mises.org/online-book/law/law-stirling-translation-1874

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

f you put a ten dollar bill under the rug instead of spending it, that is capital formation... Garet Garrett (1878-1954)

 

If you put a ten dollar bill under the rug instead of spending it, that is capital formation. It represents ten dollars' worth of something that might have been immediately consumed, but wasn't.

Garet Garrett (1878-1954)
The People's Pottage (1953)

Yet, government covets to tax (confiscate, rob) partially the ten dollars, even seize (confiscate, rob) entirely the ten dollars on behalf of equally covetous voters and supporters so to corruptively, collaboratively, collusively, conspiratorially redistribute the stolen ten dollars in forms of governmental programs, projects, services, subsidies, loans, contracts, wars, and more. Yet, it is the laborer, earner, thus saver of the ten dollars, who was then and still is now condemned and slandered as greedy or worse.

It was certainly so in 1953 and long prior, exponentially so in 2026 and long (or not so long) thereafter until economic ruination and monetary devastation.

Furthermore, do not speak to me about charity before addressing the aforementioned. For charity quite impossible, regardless the heart's oft misguided intent, without first economy, that is to say, where anyone and everyone free to labor, earn, and save according to his/her knowledge, skill, resource, necessity, motivation, preference, cognition (reasoning) while fully bearing their responsibility and risk.

Lastly, how can one charitably give without first laboriously earning then prudently saving, so another may graciously receive? Are we to abandon all natural laws hence causalities well subset'ed within God's Common Grace, so to conjure and pursue covetously presumptuous fantasies? Apparently the Communistic Socialist, Fascistic Socialist, and Cronyistic Socialist (i.e. Americans) think we should.

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

When not fully bearing one’s own responsibility and risk, soon to set in the disruptions of reality then distortions of liability and degenerations of morality...

When not fully bearing one’s own responsibility and risk, soon to set in the disruptions of reality then distortions of liability and degenerations of morality, by becoming first distant from the burden, second dull to the burden, third dumb of the burden, rendering impossible or nearly so any chance to wisely, efficiently, sustainably hence morally judge. To alternatively state, the skills to wisely, efficiently, sustainably hence morally judge do not come solely by example, education, experience but of absolute necessity coupled too with the total burden or full bearing of one’s own responsibility and risk thus benefiting else suffering per one’s own consequences positive else negative. The aforesaid proposition rests squarely, heavily, immovably upon the singular human ethic or right to consent or dissent on literally all matters.

To note, the above and attached quote taken from my forthcoming 14th book entitled Neglected Matters as Studied, Pondered, Labored o’er Whiskey, Tobacco, Chess thus Gambit & Game (sometime 2027). The emphasis "to fully bear one's responsibility and risk" is a reoccurring theme in the book per the obvious weight of the matter ergo the inescapable prerequisite to properly reason towards one's own productivity, sustainability, practicality, efficiency, intellectuality, civility, morality, even piety.

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23

"A theologian who undervalues Logic... simply disarms himself".... theologian Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)

 

The peculiar human ability to reason enables the specie, upon all things discoverable per the five senses, to observe then to name, to name then to define, to define then to categorize, to categorize then to analyze/compare, to analyze/compare then to test/experiment, to test/experiment then to eliminate/exonerate, to eliminate/exonerate then to theorize, to theorize then to deduce, to deduce then to induce, to induce then to propose, to propose then to conclude so to determine, to evaluate, to economize, to prioritize, to proceed (to act), and more, thereupon to repeat ceaselessly.

To emphasize, if to cease and desist the aforesaid behavior, then to cease and desist the one human distinction among all other nonhuman species.

Furthermore, the mere presence of the peculiar human ability to reason as described is not only the inherent thus unavoidable condition for each and every individual, but also the divine invitation, admonition, proclamation even obligation to study, ponder, labor over all matters including theology, till last breath. As we do, we express by thought, speech, and action not only our uniqueness as members of humanity, not only our peculiarity among all other otherwise instinctive species as so Edenically breathed into Adam's entire body, mind, and soul, but we express too by thought, speech, and action our gratitude for the Creator as well our worship of the Creator.

"It is, indeed, a patent fact, that in every science man is the thinking agent, and if he shall undertake intellectual pursuits in an accurate and prepared way, and in the full consciousness of self, the knowledge and practice of the faculty of thought are indispensable to him. A theologian who undervalues Logic, as being little necessary to him, simply disarms himself. This was by no means the practice of our older theologians. They always emphasized most strongly the study of formal logic, together with its related arts."

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)
Encyclopedia of Sacred Theology (1894)

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Come let us Reason. Peace is always a Choice.
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath.

Is 1:18 / Mt 5:9 / 2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23