page 42
Note: the contents of this page as well as those which precede and follow, must be read as a continuation and/or overlap in order that the continuity about a relationship to/with the dichotomous arrangement of the idea that one could possibly talk seriously about peace from a different perspective as well as the typical dichotomous assignment of Artificial Intelligence (such as the usage of zeros and ones used in computer programming) ... will not be lost (such as war being frequently used to describe an absence of peace and vice-versa). However, if your mind is prone to being distracted by timed or untimed commercialization (such as that seen in various types of American-based television, radio, news media and magazine publishing... not to mention the average classroom which carries over into the everyday workplace), you may be unable to sustain prolonged exposures to divergent ideas about a singular topic without becoming confused, unless the information is provided in a very simplistic manner.
Let's face it, humanity has a lousy definition, accompanying practice, and analysis of peace.
In this selection let us retrace a former step into mathematics by referring to the "triune" philosophy of mathematics idea espoused by Dusty Wilson, and can be found on Let's Talk Peace, page 34 of this series of essays. To such a reflection is the need for a refracted sojourn in the work of Vladimir Igorevich Arnold, respectively to his "Remarkable Trinities" compilation which can be seen on this page: The Remarkable Trinities. Another listing is displayed below and can be found here: Arnold's Trinities version 2.0
For those readers not familiar with deep forays into mathematics, suffice it to say that the above examples do not represent the sum total of "threes" in mathematics. For example, you can take one number then add, subtract, multiply or divide another number to get a third number. It is so basic and yet so often taken for granted as a pattern-of-three, that unless such a way of thinking comes to them "naturally" or "artificially" by being mentioned by someone else, they might not catalogue other examples and various "everyday" formulas with a pattern-of-three structure. (The following is a duplication of information already provided on Let's Talk Peace page 24 in this Peace series):
| C = pi x D | (Circumference of a Circle) | E = H x V | (Planck's Constant) |
| A = L x W | (Area of a Rectangle) | P = I x E | (Watt's "Law") |
| A = 1/2B x H | (Area of a Triangle) | E = I x R | (Ohm's "Law") |
| A = pi x R2 | (Area of a Circle) | E = V1 + V2 | (Kirchhoffs Voltage Law) |
| E = M x C2 | (Einstein's formula) | P = R x B | (Percentage formulas) |
| Z = Eg ÷ Ig | (Thevenin impedance formula) | A2 + B2 = C2 | (Pythagorean theorem) |
Or how about these examples:
(Three letters:)
GCD (Greatest Common Divisor);
HCF (Highest Common Factor);
LCM (Lowest Common Multiple;
LCD (Lowest Common Denominator)
3 laws of Addition & Multiplication: Associative - Commutative - Distributive
3 common set of unite to indicate angular measure: Degrees - Radians - Grads
3 laws of indices (Algebra): Multiplication - Division - Powers
Common set theory expression: (1, 2, 3...)
3 Quadratic equation constants: Coefficient of x2 - Coefficient of x - Term of x
3 functions of angles in Trigonometry: Sine - Cosine - Tangent
3 basic triangles: Obtuse - Right - Acute
3 ideal geometric entities are the synthesis of all forms: Point - Line - Plane
3 letters used to name an angle with the vertex as the center letter: ABC, CDE, EFG, etc.
3 labels for mathematical term quantity: Binomial - Trinomial - Polynomial
3 fundamental math problems: Add - Subtract - Multiply (Division is a form of Multiplication)
3 Addition/Multiplication parts: Addend - Addend - Sum/Multiplicand - Multiplier - Product
3 Subtraction/Division parts: Minuend - Subtrahend - Remainder/Divisor - Dividend - Quotient
3 divisions (ones - tens - hundreds) are grouped by a comma: ones-tens-hundreds, thousands
***From an Elizabethan Manuscript (1570: Multiplication is vexation, Division is as bad; The rule-of-three doth puzzle me, And practice drives me mad.
("Rule-of 3" arithmetic, found in Chinese textbook dating 1000-900 B.C.)
3 basic movement types for most resistance meters: d'Arsanval - Iron-vane - Electrodynamometer
3 electrical circuit types: Series - Parallel - Series/Parallel (combination)
3-phase systems used in most electric generators (3-phase also used frequently)
3 basic transistor layers: Emitter - Base - Collector
3 patterned Power "Law": Power equals Watt divided by Time
3 laws of Indices (Algebra): Multiplication - Division - Powers
3 patterned current-in-amperes equation: (I)amperes equals Q(coulombs) divided by T(seconds)
3-patterned general formula of the Scientific Method:
(1) The observation of the phenomena and the recording of facts.
(2) The formulation of physical laws from the generalization of the phenomena.
(3) The development of a theory that is used to predict new phenomena.
One of the arguments against a compilation of "patterns-of-three" which this writer has raised many years ago, was that it was being perceived as an exercise in numerically rationalized superficial correlations; which might well be true if the whole of the exercise were not detailing other numerical patterns as indications of basic cognitive organization formulas. Coupled with the fact that we can find this same pattern being repeated in so many anatomical configurations (see: Let's Talk Peace page 1) as well as in the configuration of atomic and genetic structure, we must at least take a look at the proposal of such a thesis that it and both a hypothesis are derived from.
With respect to a discussion about peace... and its counterpart called war, the labeled duality or dichotomy of these two... when paired with other two-patterned structures in physiology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, philosophy, psychology, etc., would seem to refute any idea suggesting a dominant "three-patterned" role— whether as a singular compilation or as part of a step-wise (1,2,3) maturational development sequence; until it is suggested that both... along with other patterns; represent an illustration of human mentality under deteriorating environmental circumstances. In other words, to say that peace and war are "natural" is in some ways an intimated assertion that it is part of all nature everywhere in the universe... instead of citing it as a recurring behavior of many biological creatures having to make "adjusted rationalizations" as a survival mechanism to retain, regain, or obtain some semblance of an equilibrated state under incrementally deteriorating conditions.
In refuting any compilation by supporting the compilation of another pattern as if to say that this thus presents us with a mathematical problem which results in a cancellation as if it were a simple subtraction equation; but is a rather simple minded excursion into nonsense by its opinionate conjecture. In other words, simply because numerous patterns-of-two may be found in the same subject areas from which patterns-of-three are collected does not mean there is no value in the representation... so long as the representation includes the other patterns as well as part of the thesis. However, if one prefers to defend the "three" as if it were akin to a deity without equal, problems in an evaluation of all patterns as part of a larger philosophy can quickly arise... just as they do for those who insist that patterns-of-two are most important such as in a yin/yang philosophy where various patterns-of-two are compiled.
If it can be proved that the peace/war ensemble is an actual pattern-of-two and not just some created abstraction without any actual basic cognitive merit, we must also determine whether it is the expression of some definitive cognitive role or merely some subsidiary that is being metaphorically represented by the words "peace" and "war". In other words, are they actually what they appear to be or are they symbolic characterizations of something more fundamental... but culture and context in this era, in this epoch, are oblivious of more definitive representation? In other words, do they represent the "language" of some early human having begun their trek onto the savanna from a jungle life style and culture with its representative whoops and grunts and are thus incapable of articulating in a sense to invoke a better comprehension from which an alteration can proceed?
To suggest both peace and war portray "primal" or basic animal behavior doesn't actually tell us much about the underlying physiological makeup or the state of the environment in its role of influence. Yet, because of the cyclicity of war and peace over long expanses of time, let us set aside notions of human interactive behavior in order to segregate human physiology and the environment. While we know this trio is inter-linked, we don't often itemize them dissectively. There is a taken-for-granted fusion of the three to produce an assumption of propriety that many overlook and therefore do not consider as separate... but inter-active participants. To such an end we then ask what in the environment and/or physiology which "encourages" the behavior of either war or peace? Does a failure in finding anything definitive cause us to surmise that human behavior is predisposed to such a two-patterned expression? Is there no third development or option... or something else? Are they an ensemble which reflect an underlying mechanism for responding to changes in the environment (either overt or subtle alterations), and therefore reflect an expressed "adjusted rationalization" to changing environmental conditions which may occur via the electro-magnetic field, or some other under/over/in between-human-perception occurrence which can be detected if we had suitable instrumentation constructed because we now have an awareness that such exists?
In as much as there may be an unrecognized causal factor which predisposes humanity (or different segments thereof) towards advocating peace or war, let us step back a moment and reflect on the previous portion of this page in which the issue of compiling different numerically identified patterns into a list as an exercise in detailing underlying cognitive associations that are repeated by different people in their individual subject interests. While this is not to say that everyone is thinking alike, it does help to identify what pattern is most often used and in what context for what subject and which person... whether alone or with one or more others.
In making such a list, one may begin in one subject such as biology and then may or may not continue into other subject areas with the same depth and intensity. Far too many researchers think they need to have a comprehensive grasp of a subject before being able to make any associative comparisons, without taking into consideration that they person(s) whom they are getting information from may not be particularly adept at conveying the topic they are researching... even if the person is recognized as an expert in a given field. Just because a person is good at what they do does not mean they are as good in teaching the subject matter to others. For example, many a person may be good at cooking, sewing, automotive mechanical repair, plumbing, construction, golfing, furniture design/repair/assembly, mathematics, carpentry, gardening, guitar/piano playing, ballet, acting, engine/transmission rebuilding, etc., does not mean they are equally as good in training someone how to mimic their privately learned technique... albeit in the student's individual way of personalization.
If we were to construct a graph or chart the occurrence of perceived patterns in all subjects, we would find that there are a certain number of ideas utilizing one-patterned (example: one god), two-patterned (example: cellular division by twos), three-patterned (example: DNA's Triplet coding), four-patterned (example: quadratic math formulas), five-patterned (example: fingers and toes), six-patterned (example: basic six-carbon sugar), seven-patterned (example: Big Dipper stars/Seven sisters constellation), eight-patterned (example: octet rule in chemistry), nine-patterned (example: Baseball team), ten-patterned, (example: base 10 number system), etc... Hypothetically speaking, such a chart might look like the three different versions below:
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The bottom left chart looks like a dot-to-dot game seen in the ancient idea of constructing images out of -star- constellations. However, like most charts, only a short period of time is encapsulated in a modern context... unlike the image constructed from the Big dipper which reveals the origin of the swastika when the reading of the seven stars are correlated with a year's accumulation of data during the two equinoxes and two solstices. Unfortunately, the information on most charts does not exhibit a correlational attribute within a larger dimension of appreciation... thus giving us one or two-dimensional images as in the case of analyzing most peace/war situations— instead of three-dimensional scenarios with time-interval contexts of differentiation that can provide scalable entries and deductions. By using conventions to force the available information of peace and war into restrictive forms of analysis and interpretation, the only "answer" or result to come out of the same type of research is the same type of reports which permit the status quo activity of peace and war to be perpetuated for those who like to play at war games and those who (like the UN and Nobel Prize Committee) get to play out their respective roles of being a well-intentioned "Mr. Nice Guy"... none of which leads humanity anywhere but into the same dead ends and cul-de-sacs. And no less, by giving rewards or awards for presumed peace efforts, such entities insure that peace and war will continue to be viewed in the same way with the same definitions... though manipulation of the same data might well give the impression that a new equation has been developed and will thus provide a different ("better") solution. All because there is money and reputations to be made by perpetuating the same old type of peace and war analysis.
Necessarily so, if we were to have compiled a chart in past ages, the representative number lines would be altered according to the quantity of ideas represented by patterns-of-one, two, three, etc... Included in the lists would be everyday expressions, religious beliefs, whatever level of science existed, superstitions, behavioral patterns (such as what items were collected, hoarded, shared, given away, fairy tales, folk tales, home remedies, etc...). For example, in an age in which the gazing of stars and recording their patterns was the foremost authoritative source of information: (though perhaps coupled with day-to-day auguries using weather and animal phenomena), from which came the influence of the number 7 due to the Big Dipper's seven-star recurrence and change during the two solstices and equinoxes that influenced the origin of the swastika... (not to mention the seven-star Pleiades constellation... known as the seven sisters...); we would note a difference in the charts.
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 Ancient interpretations of the Big Dipper's grouping of seven stars viewed it as a good symbol. When it became associated with Nazi Germany it was defined as a bad symbol and exhibited an opposite rotation of the "arms". |
 The "arms or legs or feet" of the swastika can take on different forms in the eyes of different observers, depending on whether they strive for accuracy, scribbling, a block style, or a cursive format... and whether illustrated on a rock, animal skin, cloth, canvas, bed of sand, as a tattoo, piece of jewelry, etc... |
(Please note that the following article from the Britannica doesn't even speculate as to the origin of the swastika.)
(The Swastika is an) equilateral cross with arms bent at right angles, all in the same rotary direction, usually clockwise. The swastika as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune is widely distributed throughout the ancient and modern world. The word is derived from the Sanskrit svastika, meaning "conducive to well-being." It was a favourite symbol on ancient Mesopotamian coinage. In Scandinavia the left-hand swastika was the sign for the god Thor's hammer. The swastika also appeared in early Christian and Byzantine art (where it became known as the gammadion cross, or crux gammata, because it could be constructed from four Greek gammas [Γ] attached to a common base), and it occurred in South and Central America (among the Maya) and in North America (principally among the Navajo).
In India the swastika continues to be the most widely used auspicious symbol of Hindus, Jainas, and Buddhists. Among the Jainas it is the emblem of their seventh Tirthankara (saint) and is also said to remind the worshiper by its four arms of the four possible places of rebirth—in the animal or plant world, in hell, on Earth, or in the spirit world.
The Hindus (and also Jainas) use the swastika to mark the opening pages of their account books, thresholds, doors, and offerings. A clear distinction is made between the right-hand swastika, which moves in a clockwise direction, and the left-hand swastika (more correctly called the sauvastika), which moves in a counterclockwise direction. The right-hand swastika is considered a solar symbol and imitates in the rotation of its arms the course taken daily by the Sun, which in the Northern Hemisphere appears to pass from east, then south, to west. The left-hand swastika more often stands for night, the terrifying goddess Ka-li-, and magical practices.
In the Buddhist tradition the swastika symbolizes the feet, or the footprints, of the Buddha. It is often placed at the beginning and end of inscriptions, and modern Tibetan Buddhists use it as a clothing decoration. With the spread of Buddhism, the swastika passed into the iconography of China and Japan, where it has been used to denote plurality, abundance, prosperity, and long life.
In Nazi Germany the swastika (German: Hakenkreuz), with its oblique arms turned clockwise, became the national symbol. In 1910 a poet and nationalist ideologist Guido von List had suggested the swastika as a symbol for all anti-Semitic organizations; and when the National Socialist Party was formed in 1919–20, it adopted it. On Sept. 15, 1935, the black swastika on a white circle with a red background became the national flag of Germany. This use of the swastika ended in World War II with the German surrender in May 1945, though the swastika is still favoured by neo-Nazi groups.
Source: "Swastika." Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite, 2013.When many of our present three-patterned enumerated examples come from physics, mathematics, anatomy and biology; a difference in the charting of number references related to these fields of research as apposed to those of previous times and places, is understandable. However, even in this present day and age we can encounter chart differences which would be compiled by different people according to their interests. In other words, while one person may have an interest in biology, physics and mathematics, another may have an interest in sports, cooking and gardening. Thus, the information they would survey... according to their predispositions, would reflect what the chart looks like. Someone whose knowledge spans multiple disciplines might seem to possess a knowledge base that is not believable... and thus something to rebel against because it is not common. Uncommonness can either be looked upon with awe and respect, or be denied... without ever attempting to verify whether the examples presented are factual, misinterpretations, or arranged according to a pattern in usage... causing the information to be stretched or compressed... but not necessarily distorted into a lie.
In our attempts to amass a large quantitative sampling of patterns-of-three to contrast them with other number patterns in order to establish some relative framework for comprehending the extent (capacities and limitations) of basic cognitive formulas running the gamut of human knowledge both in the past and present in order to establish some understanding of how human mentality has changed within cultures and the entire planet; we have noticed that the patterns related to human physiology appear to represent a rough parallel estimate to the pattern of overall ideas... though there are some differences such as when we encounter the usage of patterns whose number exceed human physiology and are taken from patterns seen external from the human body... such as from the quantity of stars, shapes of clouds, or otherwise compiled from sources whose origins may not be easily discernible such as the usage of the number 11, 12, 13, etc..., unless for example, a person would look at the quantity of bones found on a particular part of a skeleton and thought "it means something"... that it is a reference to something larger than its mere presence in the form that it is initially found. No doubt many things besides an attempted divination using animal or insect behavior were once thought to be a "message", a "sign" or some hint of a greater knowledge.
Personal changes to deteriorations in one's physiological environment (heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes, teeth, etc..) causes one to alter their lives accordingly. Along the way, one may change jobs, marital partners, pets, houses, vehicles, religions, etc... along with an associated belief that such is acceptable under certain prevailing conditions, though they need not be wholly desirable... such as a person being forced to accept a health care system that is so sub-standard, yet politicians avoid such a system like a plague because they are enabled to vote themselves in a wage and benefits increase so as not to have to take their offered lousy health care program.
As part of the alterations in housing, clothing, what we drink, eat, how we sleep, use the restroom, do for a living, hobbies, etc., there is a change in how we think. There is a deterioration in memory that affects our assessments and judgments. Unfortunately, as is often the case, only those instances in which a person's memory affects them socially or in their ability to care for themselves do we tend to make a reference to such; and not those instances which may affect a nation or humanity the whole. For example, it is clear that those who belonged to some ancient society held a different world view from those in other ancient society, just as we encounter differences in how present day nations differ in their economic policies and attitudes towards different ethnic groups. Likewise, when an entire nation comes to adopt a singular perspective— be it good (Switzerland) or bad (Nazi Germany) or plainly non-sensical as in the case of American politics under the present Trump regime of idiocy... such a deterioration can not necessarily be recognized. The situation becomes particularly more difficult when more nations than not exhibit a similar level of stupidity, thus making a distinction by way of comparison, all the more difficult. And when the whole of humanity is forced to share in the same planetary deteriorations that forces everyone to adopt incremental rationalizations in how they perceive the world in order to maintain some semblance of equilibrium.
In presenting a different perspective in the analysis of that which has already been scrutinized by multiple others, there is an inclination for some readers to expect a level of perfection in the hypothesis of someone else that they did not apply to themselves. Whereby they may well nitpick various points of minutiae as a means of subjecting someone else's perspective to derision so as to afford themselves with the possibility of having their own ideas buttressed as having greater value. Nonetheless, no matter how right one may be, if the results of one's analysis are ignored... they too will be of little value. Because old or distant age does not guarantee enhanced knowledge and wisdom, our present level of understanding — irrespective of truth, may not be understood in the future because of the language being used. Our present language and interpretation of what is being said may be wholly misinterpreted centuries from now... with a few claiming they possess some erudite comprehension and can therefore tell everyone else what is actually being said... at least with respect to their own biases... like so many of the various priestly classes have done in different times and places; be they from the business, government or religious sector.
For those who appreciate the foregoing charts as hypothetical illustrations of basic cognitive patterns underlying all ideas and behaviors, the application of un-enumerated data does not prevent them from realization such an itemization even if they do not physically construct a chart. Yet, those who are not accustomed to viewing ideas and behaviors in basic enumerated forms, prefer charts like those below, because they identify more easily with the crude ideas instead of such views representing something more basic... despite the charts as being hypothetical constructions and are not meant to be taken as actual representations of the ideas being presented, nor that they are all inclusive:
Causes of disharmony |
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In other words, some people have difficulty in seeing peace and war as a dichotomy that is related to other constructed dichotomies which, when put together in a list, represent a type of recurring mental pattern that can be found in all cultures. While some can easily see the dichotomy, they prefer to claim the distinction as an artificiality meant only for philosophical discussions but has no application beyond mere speculation. They might assert that because there are numerous other examples of contrasts or parallel confluences, it is only "natural" for other ideas to take on this same pattern in order to facilitate some measure of comprehension and illustration to those who are inclined to show an interest in a topic if it is displayed in a form they are familiar with. Some people are familiar with the terms war and peace paired together, but not that they can be labeled as a dichotomy... because the word "dichotomy" is not a word customarily used in their vocabulary... much less that there are numerous other dichotomies and pairings to be found in other subject areas as well as there being other patterns which can be described numerically, or that such patterns can be used to describe a presumed category of cognitive functioning.
As part of this "dichotomization" effort, we encounter one called "cognitive dissonance" which has application with our present discussion:
Cognitive Dissonance
(Cognitive dissonance is) the mental conflict that occurs when beliefs or assumptions are contradicted by new information. The unease or tension that the conflict arouses in a person is relieved by one of several defensive maneuvers: the person rejects, explains away, or avoids the new information, persuades himself that no conflict really exists, reconciles the differences, or resorts to any other defensive means of preserving stability or order in his conception of the world and of himself. The concept, first introduced in the 1950s, has become a major point of discussion and research.
Source: "Cognitive Dissonance." Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite, 2013.Imagine that a particular dichotomy has become of so much interest and yet it... as a dichotomy... as but one of several basic cognitive patterns, is not being view in the context of a particular biological organism (humans) subjected to an incrementally deteriorating environment! However, it is well known that Psychology is dragging its heels in development since there appears to be an inclination to pursue an interest and universal application of various dichotomies like the predisposition of a yin/yan orientation. The following is a list of various ideas discussed in psychology that suggests an obsessive/compulsive inclination:
Let me add one "two" example to the following list: Nature - Nurture. The list comes from, and is a repeat of the information found on page 6 in this series for those who have been paying attention.
HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY,
DR. WARREN R. STREET
- Conscious Mentalism - Unconscious mentalism: Emphasis on awareness of mental structure or activity vs. unawareness; coincides with rationalism - irrationalism dichotomy.
- Behaviorism - Mentalism: Proper study of psychological focuses on objective content or on subjective content.
- Determinism - Indeterminism - Nondeterminism: Human events completely determined by antecedents and explicable vs. determined but incompletely explicable vs. not determined.
- Empiricism - Rationalism: Major, if not exclusive source of knowledge is experience vs. reason.
- Functionalism - Structuralism: Psychology should describe adaptive activities vs. elemental classes and contents.
- Mechanism - Vitalism: Activities of living beings completely explicable by physiochemical constituents vs. not so explicable.
- Molecularism - Molarism Small versus Large units of behavior.
- Monism - Dualism: Fundamental principle or entity in universe is of one kind vs. two kinds, mind and matter.
- Nativism - Empiricism: Thought and behavior emerges from innate structures vs. emerges from experiences.
- Subjectivism - Objectivism: Introspective accounts of experience do, or do not, constitute valid data.
- Universalism - Relativism: Is the world an objective entity, the same for everyone, or is it relative to the perceiver?
The foregoing is a marvelous list but there are other examples in the outline. The outline even provides some patterns-of-three examples and may well introduce you to the "Third Force" topic. However, it doesn't provide a reference to the Monism (one) - Dualism (two) - Pluralism (three) pattern of overall thinking, which is succinctly described as the one - two - many pattern. Nor does it describe a one, two, three maturational development sequence... much less a 3-to-1 reference. And in particular, it does not provide you with a similar list of trichotomies... since "threes" are very much a part of our historical thinking. The students taking the professor's class are being deprived of a very real thinking pattern, particularly when it is quite pervasive and documented by cultural anthropologists. The students should be up in arms and protest against such a discrepancy in their education. It's time for a Revolution!
If a person adds the peace/war example to the list above, they may be inclined to think that it is just as natural and is therefore a situation we can do nothing about. Which is true if we permit ourselves to adopt a similar preference for illustrating our own world view according to such a recurrence of the standardized cyclical perspective. The graduate level psychology course explicating such patterns-of-two would be of more value being taught as an introductory freshman lecture... as part of introducing a larger array of reducible cognitive patterns.
Date of Origination: Monday, 6-March-2017... 07:27 AM
Date of initial posting: Tuesday, 11-April-2017... 1:53 PM
Updated posting: Friday, 5th October 2018... 2:18 PM