The Cultural Spectrum & Intrinsic Order
The “cultural spectrum” is the diversified range (spectrum) of interdependent life and the energetic, Earth-cosmic environment that self-authenitcates. The cultural spectrum is the universal biotic/ energetic continuum, the eco-environment upon which all Earth-life depends. While the cultural spectrum is the “constant” of life, it is always changing, always in process. Of great moment to all life and to humankind, at this time, is the adverse impact of cultural habits of thinking and doing that destroy culture, life and the human self.
The cultural spectrum has two aspects, the “physical” and the “psychical”. Within the cultural spectrum, the human person is both subject and object. The physical, objective aspect is qualified by “in-tension” as in molecular cohesion (syntropy), and the psychical, subjective aspect qualifies culture by “intention” as by energy expenditures (entropy). Experientially we know that the roles of persons within the cultural spectrum are both active (as subject) and passive (as object). The collective inputs and outputs of subjects qualify objective outputs and transform the cultural spectrum, for better and for worse.
Conscience, what is unique to self-reflective consciousness, pertains to the active, subjective, “intentional” aspect of human agency. Collectively, people both qualify the cultural spectrum and are qualified by it. What is of immediate importance to us is how the cultural spectrum has been adversely qualified by human agency and how humans are irreversibly damaging themselves and the capacity of the cultural spectrum to sustain them and other life.
Why does the cultural spectrum matter so much at this particular time? Because, globally a widespread loss of public confidence in the presumptive economics of consumer-capitalism has occurred with respect to ecologically based sustainability. Unbridled economic growth premised in the assumption of unlimited natural resources is a fatally flawed assumption that is unsustainable and not a presumption on which cultures can rely and endure.
We need to consider, 1) the “physical” spectrum as the Earth-cosmic continuum (wave/ particle, electromagnetic), and 2) the “psychical” spectrum as the controlling worldview (consciousness). If worldview consciousness is misinformed, it misleads consciousness with respect to authentic behavior. The long prevailing static-centrist worldview and its faulty rationalizing still obtain in damaging consequences, and misinformed fixities still drive habits of cultural destruction.
The “physical” and the “psychical” relate to each other as matter relates to energy, that is, as aspects of the same reality. Matter and energy cannot be disassociated from each other as physical in-tension cannot be disassociated from psychical intention, as body cannot be disassociated from soul (spirituality), as secularity cannot be disassociated from religion.
What is addressed here is “intrinsic order" within the cultural spectrum and the role of human ignorance and arrogance as to damaging consequences on self and all other. The status-quo attitude of religion that yet prevails toward human dependency in and on the natural cultural spectrum is obviously no longer an option, if humankind would reverse its self-destructive habits.
Religion, theology, and understandings of just, equitable and sustainable relationships have to undergo conversion and deep-rooted updating. Life is of one consciousness; religion is of a universal, conscious ethic; either we will discover them together and thrive, or we will divide and self-destruct.
You will not take offense, I
You will not take offense, I trust, When-the-Bough, if I do not easily leave you off the hook. I am pro-life and I do not want the cradle to fall.
The “Naturalis Sacramentum Ordinis” is about Sacred Remembrance, the working of Divine/human Hypostasis ("in-God’s-Image-He-made-them-male-and-female") in the intrinsic, paradigmatic ordering of nature. To be dismissive of Divine/human ordering is to demean the human person and insult God’s Intelligent Purposes (Sacra Mens).
In the intrinsic ordering of Natural Sacrament, the Divine supposes the human, and the human supposes the Divine — what is Divine/human reciprocity. The natural ordering of Intelligent Design in Divine/human ordering is genetic/memetic Re-Membering — what is the process of human evolution.
It offends my religious sensitivity when a writer disparages the Sacrament of Divine Ordering, especially if the writer represents to have religious credentials. It is appropriate to speak one’s mind and raise questions; forthright questioning allows the surfacing of forthright understandings. I’m pleased to respond to anyone raising questions about my writing, and I leave room for exceptions to be taken, but innuendo speaks only ad hominem, not to content.
The “Age of Aquarius” lines you quote seem intended to derogate my motives and belittle the content of what I write, if I read you correctly, as does the “1” valuation of the topic. I would respectfully appreciate clarification as to what you specifically object.
If I am untruthful and mistaken in the facts, please point out the error(s).
Sylvester, what an eloquent
Sylvester, what an eloquent and gracious response. On your behalf, I nurtured some grief all weekend, as I saw the posting to which you are responding. Out of principle, I refrain from giving a zero rating to anyone. Still, I felt that the posting was deeply unfair to you, and did not like the fact that it arrived in time to stand as a mocking reproach of your profoundly insightful theological reflections, all Easter weekend long.
Thank you for reminding us all that these blogs are places for real dialogue, not for innuendo and slander, for ad hominem attacks that are designed to stop the conversation. I often sense that, underlying many of the dynamics on this board, there are political motives at work--an intent to try to assure that there is only one conceivable political option for all Catholics in the U.S.
To me, this is a fascist and unCatholic way to approach political-theological discourse, since it is an approach that really does not want people thinking, talking, asking critical questions. It is an approach designed to cow people into submission. I appreciate all that you do to broaden the conversation and create a space for other (and authentically Catholic) theological and political options--I appreciate your contributions even when I have to stretch my mind to understand them!
William D. Lindsey
I value and treasure yours
I value and treasure yours and all the good people's support and encouragement at the NCR Cafe. I am in holy and learned company. Thank you.
To the "evolution of humankind" I would add (1) the evolution of consciousness by way of communication/ consciousness/ conscience (trimorphic resonance), and (2) the "method of evolution" by way of perfecting ideas by thinking perfected (cogitata perficiendo, cogitando sic perfecta).
When the moon is in the
When the moon is in the Seventh House
and Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius! Aquarius!
When the moon is in the Seventh House
and Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
As our hearts go beating through the night
We dance unto the dawn of day
To be the bearers of the water
Our light will lead the way
We are the spirit of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
Angelic illumination
Rising fiery constellation
Travelling our starry courses
Guided by the cosmic forces
Oh, care for us; Aquarius
Even though your intent
Even though your intent seemed to be negative in writing this out, what delight in seeing it come up! What a wonderful play it was! And what a wonderful time! Thank you for the memories!
In the evolving
In the evolving interdependent systems of Cosmos, Earth and Humankind, the "analogies of reciprocals" reveal subject/ object relationships as means/ end, in which the object-outcomes (end) become subject-means (agent). The reciprocal relationship of faith and reason, for example, has faith as the subject-means (cause) of reason's object-end (effect), and vice versa.
The process of evolution advances by means/ end reciprocity in which subject/ object correlations obtain. The "analogies of reciprocals" principle helps us understand the practical implications of faith/ reason, reason/ law, conscience/ morality, religion/ civility, and intrinsic order/ civility/ humanity/ sanctity.
Purposeful living is by the intentional correlations of means/ ends as subject/ object. The fullness of humanity and holiness (humanitas/ social, and sanctitas/ personal) obtains in essential mutuality within intrinsic order, that is, of faith, reason, morality, conscience, lawfulness, civility, etc, what constitute virtues in the "Naturalis Sacramentum Ordinis". Personal/ social evolution is by way of the method "cogitando sic perfecta, perficiendo cogitata" (by thinking perfected and perfecting thoughts.)
NB: the limited inclusion of means/ end virtues exemplified here doesn't imply the exclusion of other means/ end virtues. "Go and be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect."