[MD] Essentialism

[Ham Priday]

Hi Steve --

> I'm considering reading your thesis. I was wondering
> if you could very briefly summarize a few things about
> Essentialism first.

So you want the cart before the horse ;-).  I suppose if I'd written a 
murder mystery, you'd want to know who the villain was before reading the 
story.  I'll answer your questions in advance only because I need to get 
more exposure to this site.

> What is truth?

Truth is a principle or axiom that works empirically, that is, within a 
relational system.  Logic, mathematics, and the laws of nature have been 
validated as reliable by universal consensus and are generally regarded as 
truths until they are proved false.  Absolute Truth is inaccessible to human 
beings and its knowledge would invalidate the freedom to choose.

> What is moral?

Morality is a set of behavioral rules established by man in order to survive 
and flourish in a collective society.  The basis for moral conduct is human 
value which, because it varies from one individual to another, must be 
arrived at by consensus.  In most civilized societies, individual freedom, 
fairness or justice, honesty, reverence or respect for human life, ethical 
practices, and the enhancement of well-being are regarded as moral.

> What is real?

Like Truth, which is either empirical or absolute, Reality also takes two 
forms.  The existential reality that we experience and depend on as finite 
creatures is provisional.
It is the appearance of diversity and change framed within the dimensions of 
time and space and intellectualized to operate by the principle of 
cause-and-effect.  Every event is assumed to be the effect of some prior 
cause, except for the first cause which is inexplicable.  Ultimate 
reality--absolute truth--is an unknown to man who can only sense its value. 
The challenge of philosophy (and particularly metaphysics) is to explain 
this mystery in terms that relate to existential experience.

> How do we come to know what is real, true, and moral?

Since we cannot know anything for a certainty, we learn from experience and 
by constantly testing the results of that learning.  What we can't learn 
from experience must either be gleaned through intuitive reasoning or 
accepted at face value from an external authority.  Some claim spiritual 
enlightenment as their authority, while others cling to the teachings of 
prophets or religious dogma.  Ultimately, it is the individual who must 
discover the meaning and purpose of  his own life-experience.  A person who 
lives his life in the quest for truth is more likely to arrive at a belief 
system that is sufficient to earn his conviction.

I trust that these answers pass your "vetting" test, and that you will 
shortly be exploring my thesis.  It consists of six sections, the first of 
which "The Mechanical Garden" is essentially an introduction.  The entire 
thesis is one long page and should take no longer than a couple of hours to 
read.  I suggest that you begin with Section 2 "Experience" 
http://www.essentialism.net/mechanic.htm#reflect , and make generous use of 
the Glossary of Terms at the end of the page.

Thanks for the consideration, and happy reading.  I'll be available to steer 
you through the troublesome parts, or you can question me off-line.

Essentially yours,
Ham