[Buddha-l] Moment of individuation

[Bob Smith]

"Stanley J. Ziobro II" <ziobro at wfu.edu> wrote:

> A machine does not go through a period of growth and individuation.

 

Really, Stanley? Have you checked the latest offerings from your local automotive dealer? Or computer seller? Or cell’ phone provider? Machines are growing and individualizing faster than the marketing gurus can keep up. 

 

 

> The ability to assimilate the food requires something more 

> than the  presence of food.

 

Yes, of course. And that “something more” is known as a digestive system. The mechanics (read, ‘biochemistry’) of such a system have been largely worked out in considerable detail and can be traced back to Cambrian trilobites whose ocean bottom-dwelling presence on this planet well predates even our earliest ancestors or their religious/philosophical systems. (I wonder who the ‘patron saint’ of trilobite digestive systems is.)

 

 

> How are your “objective position” generated assertions here really 

> different from your “subjective” ones above?

 

They’re not. Must they be?

 

 

> I think you misidentified your terms here. An artifact is something 

> made from wood, stone, metals, etc.

 

Stanley, A language is a collection of symbols designed to be used to convey meaning. If the symbols used convey the meaning intended then the job is done. I have no doubt that the meaning I intended be conveyed was in fact conveyed to you through my assemblage of the symbols, ‘artifact’. In its broad sense, the term artifact can refer to any creation of humankind. The very fact that you have chosen to quibble with my term indicates to me that you have arrived at an understanding of my meaning. I have no desire to get into a pedantic pissing war with you over word meanings when the intent is clearly understood.

 

 

> …are more properly “mentifacts”.

 

Interesting. I can find this term nowhere in my collection of dictionaries. Are you into creating your own language in order to support otherwise unsupportable arguments?

 

 

> Also, it is odd to me that you (or anybody) would think 

> (or seem to imply) that only Buddhist practices and philosophies 

> are the means towards being authentically human…

 

Stanley, nobody has said that “only Buddhist practices and philosophies” serve the purpose you propose. The word “only” which you inserted in your text above, is yours, not mine. Are you given to putting words in other peoples’ mouths that were not there or intended in order to support your otherwise unsupportable argument? 

 

 

>> There is no reason to make life any more complicated than it already is.

 

> Expound upon thisd. 

 

Is this a request or an imperative? 

 

Believing it to be a request, I offer the following observations on my daily practice of life. 

 

I find it helpful to do the following (largely Buddhist) practices. (My apologies to the scribes of the Dhammapada.)

 

1. Work to do what I believe is helpful to humanity in general; i.e., <i> pro humanitate’. </i>

 

2. Work to avoid doing what I would consider unhelpful to humanity in general, i.e., <i> non pro humanitate. </i>

 

3. Work to discipline my mind and thought processes and work to be mindful of my actions and their consequences at all times.

 

I choose the term ‘work to’ as opposed to ‘do’ as I find my life very much ‘a work in progress’. What I in fact do do, is very much a response to my current circumstance and condition, but I practice. I find that the integration or involvement of saints, spirits and spooks, devils and demons, arbitrary and 'infallible' religious authorities - who live in privilaged circumstances and who never have experienced my condition, ritual, and the like, only serves to unnecessarily complicate my life. This is what I mean by keeping life simple. At the same time, I recognize that for others, their circumstances and conditions may call for other responses and personal philosophies.
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