[MD] The Radical Metaphysics

[Ron Kulp]

"The difficulty with the approach to the problem of human existence
through cognitive science is that it is never elaborated in a meaningful
manner. The principal requirement necessary is to recognize its
metaphysical nature. The history of civilization has shown that there is
a metaphysical need running through humanity like a recurrent symphonic
chord. There exists a state of mind, more precisely, a state of
consciousness in which this need is embedded. No satisfaction is to be
found in materialist explanations, no matter how much they may be padded
with ethical theories. Yet the question of consciousness today is
dominated by cognitive scientists whose only concern is to analyze it
and explain how it is possible. Laborious dissections of thought (e.g.
W. Quine, R. Rorty), analogous to producing a Gray's Anatomy of the
mind, are put forth as advances in its understanding. Cognitive
scientists would like to show how consciousness is exclusively a
phenomenon of the brain, thus establishing it within the framework of
the materialist worldview. But by now, it is evident that this will
never happen - as William James predicted over a century ago in his
Principles of Psychology. While consciousness is being recently more
regarded as a phenomenon in its own right (e.g. J. Searle), the approach
to it is still analytic and value-free.

2

The "solution" to the metaphysical problem of existence is to be found
in the values arising within the conscious mind, not in the analysis of
the latter's nature. The antique Greeks are still our models in
philosophy because they were concerned with values, not with analysis of
the structure of the mind, which was always a secondary consideration
with them. The human condition requires a value-rich metaphysics,
without which human beings are merely an out-of-control animal species,
on the verge of destroying the milieu in which they live. If Homo
sapiens does not respond to the problem of his existence through
creating a metaphysical consciousness, he will become an abortive entity
who has missed its purpose. It is not enough for him to survive in the
midst of family, offices, honors or possessions, he must develop his
mind as something more than a tool for dominating his social and
material milieu. This reality transcends all other realities for him.
However, nature has always been profligate of individuals in achieving
its goals and the human species is no exception.

The process of mental maturation is dependent on experiences that make
possible the deepening of consciousness, although they do not guarantee
it. Experiences can be had at every level of existence, ranging from
climbing Mt. Everest to reading Plato. The common denominator is
increasing depth of consciousness. The oracles of antiquity: "know
yourself," "become what you are," "living according to one's physis,"
all were concerned with deepening of consciousness. A genuine philosophy
concerns itself with these questions, not with the futile effort at
reductionist analyses of the mind.

Two indicators of the metaphysical need of individuals are the popular
appeal of religious sectarianism and "New Age" spirituality. By and
large, however, one must look to his own self for metaphysical
development. Experiencing a writing or a teaching is one thing,
subordinating one's mind to them is another."

http://rschain1.tripod.com/The_Problem_of_Existence.html