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Quote from : Wikipedia : Pledge of Allegiance
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Quote from : Wikipedia : Dialectic : Hegelian Dialectic
Hegelian dialectic, usually presented in a three-fold manner, was stated by Heinrich Moritz Chalybäus as comprising three dialectical stages of development: a thesis, giving rise to its reaction, an antithesis, which contradicts or negates the thesis, and the tension between the two being resolved by means of a synthesis.
Although this model is often named after Hegel, he himself never used that specific formulation.
Hegel ascribed that terminology to Kant.
Carrying on Kant's work, Fichte greatly elaborated on the synthesis model, and popularized it.
On the other hand, Hegel did use a three-valued logical model that is very similar to the antithesis model, but Hegel's most usual terms were: Abstract-Negative-Concrete.
Sometimes Hegel would use the terms, Immediate-Mediated-Concrete.
Hegel used these terms hundreds of times throughout his works.
The formula, Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis, does not explain why the Thesis requires an Antithesis.
However, the formula, Abstract-Negative-Concrete, suggests a flaw in any initial thesis—it is too abstract and lacks the negative of trial, error and experience.
The same applies to the formula, Immediate-Mediated-Concrete.
For Hegel, the Concrete, the Synthesis, the Absolute, must always pass through the phase of the Negative, that is, Mediation.
This is the actual essence of what is popularly called Hegelian Dialectics.
To describe the activity of overcoming the negative, Hegel also often used the term Aufhebung, variously translated into English as "sublation" or "overcoming," to conceive of the working of the dialectic. Roughly, the term indicates preserving the useful portion of an idea, thing, society, etc., while moving beyond its limitations.
(Jacques Derrida's preferred French translation of the term was relever).
In the Logic, for instance, Hegel describes a dialectic of existence: first, existence must be posited as pure Being (Sein); but pure Being, upon examination, is found to be indistinguishable from Nothing (Nichts).
When it is realized that what is coming into being is, at the same time, also returning to nothing (in life, for example, one's living is also a dying), both Being and Nothing are united as Becoming.
As in the Socratic dialectic, Hegel claimed to proceed by making implicit contradictions explicit: each stage of the process is the product of contradictions inherent or implicit in the preceding stage.
For Hegel, the whole of history is one tremendous dialectic, major stages of which chart a progression from self-alienation as slavery to self-unification and realization as the rational, constitutional state of free and equal citizens.
The Hegelian dialectic cannot be mechanically applied for any chosen thesis.
Critics argue that the selection of any antithesis, other than the logical negation of the thesis, is subjective.
Then, if the logical negation is used as the antithesis, there is no rigorous way to derive a synthesis.
In practice, when an antithesis is selected to suit the user's subjective purpose, the resulting "contradictions" are rhetorical, not logical, and the resulting synthesis is not rigorously defensible against a multitude of other possible syntheses.
The problem with the Fichtean "Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis" model is that it implies that contradictions or negations come from outside of things.
Hegel's point is that they are inherent in and internal to things.
This conception of dialectics derives ultimately from Heraclitus.
Hegel has outlined that the purpose of dialectics is "to study things in their own being and movement and thus to demonstrate the finitude of the partial categories of understanding"
One important dialectical principle for Hegel is the transition from quantity to quality, which he terms the Measure.
The measure is the qualitative quantum, the quantum is the existence of quantity.
"The identity between quantity and quality, which is found in Measure, is at first only implicit, and not yet explicitly realised.
In other words, these two categories, which unite in Measure, each claim an independent authority.
On the one hand, the quantitative features of existence may be altered, without affecting its quality.
On the other hand, this increase and diminution, immaterial though it be, has its limit, by exceeding which the quality suffers change.
[...] But if the quantity present in measure exceeds a certain limit, the quality corresponding to it is also put in abeyance.
This however is not a negation of quality altogether, but only of this definite quality, the place of which is at once occupied by another.
This process of measure, which appears alternately as a mere change in quantity, and then as a sudden revulsion of quantity into quality, may be envisaged under the figure of a nodal (knotted) line".
As an example, Hegel mentions the states of aggregation of water:
"Thus the temperature of water is, in the first place, a point of no consequence in respect of its liquidity: still with the increase or diminution of the temperature of the liquid water, there comes a point where this state of cohesion suffers a qualitative change, and the water is converted into steam or ice".
As other examples Hegel mentions the reaching of a point where a single additional grain makes a heap of wheat; or where the bald-tail is produced, if we continue plucking out single hairs.
Another important principle for Hegel is the negation of the negation, which he also terms Aufhebung (sublation): Something is only what it is in its relation to another, but by the negation of the negation this something incorporates the other into itself.
The dialectical movement involves two moments that negate each other, a somewhat and an another.
As a result of the negation of the negation, "something becomes an other; this other is itself somewhat; therefore it likewise becomes an other, and so on ad infinitum".
Something in its passage into other only joins with itself, it is self-related.
In becoming there are two moments: coming-to-be and ceasing-to-be: by sublation, i.e. negation of the negation, being passes over into nothing, it ceases to be, but something new shows up, is coming to be.
What is sublated (aufgehoben) on the one hand ceases to be and is put to an end, but on the other hand it is preserved and maintained.
In dialectics, a totality transform itself, it is self-related.
Quote from :Wikipedia : Freedom (Philosophy)
Freedom in Philosophy is the right or ability to act according to ones will without being held up by the power of others.
From a philosophical point of view, it can be defined as the capacity to determine your own choices.
It can be defined negatively as an absence of constraint, subordination, and servitude.
Freedom can also be considered relative to a particular goal or circumstance.
One might be free to Speak but not to act, or vice-versa; free to leave, but not to enter; free to die, but not to live.
Quote from : Wikipedia : Thesis Statement
The thesis statement states the thesis or argument of the author in an essay or similar document.
It is a focused section of text that clearly delineates the argument that is presented in the work.
Very often, the subject of the thesis statement is the topic of the paper.
The predicate is usually what the author of the paper is trying to prove.
Quote from : Wikipedia : Antithesis
Antithesis (Greek for "setting opposite", from ἀντί "against" + θέσις "position") is a counter-proposition and denotes a direct contrast to the original proposition.
In setting the opposite, an individual brings out of a contrast in the meaning (eg., the definition, interpretation, or semantics) by an obvious contrast in the expression.
Quote from : Wikipedia : Synthesis
In general, the noun synthesis (from the ancient Greek σύνθεσις, σύν "with" and θέσις "placing") refers to the combining of two or more entities to form something new.
The corresponding verb, to synthesise (or synthesize), means to make or form a synthesis.
Originally posted by ZeroKnowledge
I agree with you that absolute freedom is impossible in this world. However you can ,if not "touch", but measure and compare it. Jail vs normal life. Normal life in US/EU vs normal life in ,say, Iran. Normal life in Iran vs normal life in Saudi Arabia or N. Korea. Jail in US/EU vs jail in North Korea.
Originally posted by ZeroKnowledge
So not all ideals in life are just used as empty slogans and hollow institutions by politicians and elite. 1984 is a great book, doublethink and newspeak are described perfectly and one has to be blind not to understand that official propaganda uses it all over the globe.
However one has to be equally (or oppositely ) blind not to notice that there are different boundaries in different places for what official propaganda can do.
Amazon Review :
Since its publication in 1946, George Orwell's fable of a workers' revolution gone wrong has rivaled Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea as the Shortest Serious Novel It's OK to Write a Book Report About.
(The latter is three pages longer and less fun to read.)
Fueled by Orwell's intense disillusionment with Soviet Communism, Animal Farm is a nearly perfect piece of writing, both an engaging story and an allegory that actually works.
When the downtrodden beasts of Manor Farm oust their drunken human master and take over management of the land, all are awash in collectivist zeal.
Everyone willingly works overtime, productivity soars, and for one brief, glorious season, every belly is full.
The animals' Seven Commandment credo is painted in big white letters on the barn.
All animals are equal.
No animal shall drink alcohol, wear clothes, sleep in a bed, or kill a fellow four-footed creature.
Those that go upon four legs or wings are friends and the two-legged are, by definition, the enemy.
Too soon, however, the pigs, who have styled themselves leaders by virtue of their intelligence, succumb to the temptations of privilege and power.
"We pigs are brainworkers.
The whole management and organisation of the farm depend on us. Day and night, we are watching over your welfare.
It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples."
While this swinish brotherhood sells out the revolution, cynically editing the Seven Commandments to excuse their violence and greed, the common animals are once again left hungry and exhausted, no better off than in the days when humans ran the farm.
Satire Animal Farm may be, but it's a stony reader who remains unmoved when the stalwart workhorse, Boxer, having given his all to his comrades, is sold to the glue factory to buy booze for the pigs.
Orwell's view of Communism is bleak indeed, but given the history of the Russian people since 1917, his pessimism has an air of prophecy.
--Joyce Thompson
Originally posted by ZeroKnowledge
I would advise to live in North Korea for a while and then when (and even if) you will return i will gladly listen to what your position would be.
Originally posted by ZeroKnowledge
Not that all is perfect in the West - this is very far from the truth. There is also corruption, weakness of lots of poor vs power of few rich, injustice and government lies. And it is great that you want it to be fixed. Me too. I just have no idea how, and seen how many times revolutionary attempts to fix the situation brought much more misery to people compared to what overthrown corrupt regimes caused - i think that it is best to start things from personal level.
Originally posted by ZeroKnowledge
Government elites "divide and conquer and lie" technique does not justify anti-government "divide and conquer and lie" one.
Quote from : Wikipedia : Psychodrama
Psychodrama is a form of human development which explores, through dramatic action, the problems, issues, concerns, dreams and highest aspirations of people, groups, systems and organizations.
It is mostly used as a group work method, in which each person in the group can become a therapeutic agent for each other in the group.
Developed by Jacob L. Moreno, psychodrama has strong elements of theater, often conducted on a stage where props can be used.
The audience is fully involved with the dramatic action.
Audience involvement is either through personal interest in the concerns of the leading actor, called the protagonist; or through playing some roles of the drama which helps the protagonist; or taking the form of some of the other elements of the drama, which can give voice to the rest of our wild universe; or through active engagement as an audience member.
Psychodrama's core function is the raising of spontaneity in an adequate and functional manner.
It is through the raising of spontaneity that a system, whether an internal human system or an organizational system, can begin to become creative, life filled and develop new solutions to old and tired problems or adequate solutions to new situations and concerns.
A psychodrama is best conducted and produced by a person trained in the method or learning the method called a psychodrama director.
There are many psychodrama training institutes in many countries around the world.
Originally posted by DimensionalDetective
Very nice write-up SKLM as usual. I agree, the people at the top of the proverbial food chain have been manipulating the masses as far back as anyone can remember into perpetual conflict with each other. Craziest part is, it's just a very miniscule amount of extremely greedy and SICK individuals and familial bloodlines which have been behind the vast majorities of these grotesqueries over the centuries. I get the feeling that the masses are finally undergoing some sort of shift, albeit ever so slightly, into recognition that they are being manipulated. Shining the light of knowledge onto the key perpetrators and elitists behind this will be CRUCIAL in putting an end to this. Keep up the great work brother.
Originally posted by DimensionalDetective
Quite on top of your game as usual in exposing the behind the scenes cabal my bother.
Originally posted by DimensionalDetective
This is indeed a ruse as old as recorded history, where a select few at the top of the chain use trickery, misdirection and brainwashing to keep the masses in confusion and infighting amongst each other, while they are steadily and stealthily picking their pockets and keeping them as unaware slaves. To break free of the prison, one must first become aware they are CONDITIONED into it.
SKL's Amazon Review :
Harry Houdini : The Man, The Myth, The Spy, The Secret Service Agent
A lot of people love reading about Harry Houdini the magician, the Handcuff King the escape artist but did you know that he was a spy & a Secret Service agent?
I can prove it with one book & a few well versed words here.
The book I am talking about is one I am just over half way through & it is entitled "The Secret Life of Houdini : The Making of a Superhero."
This book is awesome & I encourage everyone to read it and enjoy the story of Harry Houdini from beginning to end.
It tells about the man, the myth, the spy, the Secret Service agent who was a performer who made the world love him & his shows & continually conquered his every demon, including his own self loathing while continually re-creating himself for the world at large.
Yes this book still fits into this world of the wide web that is the internet.
The book is all about how all of Harry Houdini's having been a major instigator in World War I in the propaganda & success of America while Harry Houdini, or some may know him better as Ehrich Weiss, a Jewish man who changed his identity to fit better into the world and to better sell himself to the world as an entertainer at large for War World I in the rise of Germany the first time it came to power.
The fact that the book is from archival data and letters both from & to Harry Houdini is what makes this book so intriguing.
Please feel free to enjoy the book & I would love to hear anyone else's opinion & thoughts on this subject.
A lot of people do not know that the Secret Service was a spy agency at one time and was connected to the spy world like the C.I.A., N.S.A., D.I.A. & the rest of the alphabet Intelligent Agencies.
Harry Houdini taught our American Dough Boys how to escape from handcuffs, being tied in ropes, & how to escape from torpedoed ships by being on stage in an ampitheater & having actually being a teacher of the American military.
Originally posted by DimensionalDetective
If you haven't read "The Gods of Eden" by William Bramley, I highly suggest it. Although some "out there" off-world suggestions are implied, the core of the material delves into the secret societies and elite groups who have been honing this system of control and enslavement for centuries, and the methodologies they use to keep these systems firmly in place.
Keep up the great work SKL.