[MD] Oneness, Dualism & Intellect

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Ham Priday <hampday1 at verizon.net>:

Hi Ham, 

> My question is: If things evolve to betterness as a principle of the
> universe, how does our striving for beauty "move evolution forward"?

In my mind beauty is associated with betterness, ugly with worseness. Plenty
of exceptions, of course. 

> I
> assume that "betterness" is the direction that evolution moves.  Wouldn't
> betterness be achieved just as fast and as certainly without us?  Or, is the
> phrase "moving forward" in this statement intended to refer only to human
> progress?

Yes, to human progress. Since humans are part of nature, I consider their works
part of natural evolution.  

> Please understand, I commend the idea of striving for beauty and knowledge,
> but only because they have value for mankind, not as a means of accelerating
> evolution.

What is of value to mankind I consider accelerating evolution. As far as I
can tell, evolution has stopped at the biological and social levels.  
 
> You once expressed disappointment that I omitted "evolution" in my thesis.
> This may be one of the reasons.

Perhaps. I don't recall my disappointment about that. I do recall being unable
to translate "negation" into anything meaningful.  

Best regards,
Platt
  


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