A MEASURE OF TRUTHBy Ralph Arthur Hall, MD. (1914-1994) Edited and continued by RFHall |
The Realistic Idealist
at http//www.seanet.com/~realistic/idealism.html
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In the past, ostensibly, facts were few
and far between. They were not near enough together to be closely
related. To relate them, one had to bridge long gaps with
logic. Due to observations recorded using the scientific method we now
know so much that we can travel great distances in reason without losing
touch with factuality. The Realistic Idealist institutes a frame of
reference which is on the leading edge of human thought.
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Realistic Idealism
is dedicated to the concept that philosophical ideas and morality can be based
on evidence. Through scientific discovery, finally, we can know where we
come from, where we have been, where we are, where we are going, and what
things are possible. Realistic Idealism is not liberal; yet, there is no
doctrine. Some newcomers to what has been discovered through science will
find parts to be preposterous or harsh. However, once you assimilate the
initial concepts and ideas, in time, they will become meaningful and provide
hope and peace of mind through the experiences of your own life.
Realistic Idealism
is a friendly philosophy similar to religion through the recognition of
reverence and faith. Realistic Idealism dares each of us to strive to be
our best and tells how it can be done. It underlines the importance of
love, compassion, knowledge, and understanding. This philosophy proposes
that one life, committed to the service of others, is enough.
Scientific
knowledge is the most successful way to understand our universe
Introduction to Dr. Hall
Chapter 1. The Opinion
Poll. The disarming of knowledge and the abdication of leadership. What
is an opinion?
Chapter 2. Understanding
Knowledge. Some of the characteristics of knowledge are discussed and why it is
feared.
Chapter 3. G*D, Nature,
and Reality. This is a brief history of the evolution of the concept of God
from the dawn of literacy to today. It shows a progression and dimension up to
and including the discovery of the scientific method: today's ultimate
discovery of G*D. What guidelines can be devised to limit erroneous thinking
about God?
Chapter 4. Logic:
Dialectic Whatever. Logic, alone, is now dead. To find reality we need logic,
but logic, by itself, leads to futility. This is important to understand
for logic without scientific knowledge still rules most of our social order.
Chapter 5. The Dilemma
of Logic and Ethics. Examples of the futility of logic as applied to ethics,
and how morality can and should be based on evidence. Morality based on
evidence is the most convincing morality.
Chapter 6. The Language
of Nature is Science. Some of the mystery and all of the magic are stripped
away from life as our ancestors knew it. This is humanity's search for
reality and the continued revelation of G*D.
Chapter 7. Reverence and
Faith: The Road To Equanimity. This is basic human psychology described in a
way that will intrigue most psychologists. You will be introduced to the
"trinity" of Reverence: Identification, Dedication and
Humility. The Faith of Realistic Idealism is revealed. You will
find out what these mean to the Obligated Social Being: YOU!
Chapter 8. Alienation:
The Road to Despair. A fast growing, modern, individual affliction: the affect
of ignoring reverence. The proof of its existence.
Chapter 9. What is
Truth? In this insightful survey: "Truth" and "Fact" are no
longer confused. In a way, Facts are the strands of life while Truth is
the fabric of life. The Truths of life are revealed as Love, Beauty,
Work, Mystery and Freedom. These become some of the basic principles of
Realistic Idealism.
Chapter 10. Doctrines.
We are alerted to the road blocks to understanding presented by doctrines,
especially that of Boaz.
Chapter 11. Creation.
The Bible describes creation in seven days. Why not one? Because, even
back then, they knew that it was a process. The Biblical creation was the
most up-to-date scientific explanation of the time (it was Aristotle's
time). It would have been published in the "Scientific
Babylonian". This chapter discusses scientific revelations of the
further expansion of G*D's process.
Chapter 12. Ontogeny.
Every living thing starts with one cell. This is one of the strongest
indications of the existence of the evolutionary process.
Chapter 13. Evolution.
A discourse on an understandable explanation of a truly beautiful, and,
ultimately, obvious process of the development of all life from one miraculous,
or perhaps, predestined, cell.
Chapter 14. Heritable
Behavior and Abilities. Anything that is not heritable is of no evolutionary
significance. The exception to this is the significance of social pressures
which encourage a specific heritable characteristic in sexual mate selection.
Chapter 15. Learning
and Motivation. Some important aspects of the process of learning: our only
method of absorbing enculturation. This is an overlooked aspect of the
"Nature vs. Nurture" debate. How can the debate proceed without
an understanding of learning?
Chapter 16. Extinct
Humans. Our early ancestors and their rapid evolution from Ramapithicus to
Cro-Magnon. We take a side trip with Neanderthal.
Chapter 17. The
"Fit and Capable". From our ancestors, we are brought into today with
some evolutionary principles of which you may not be aware. The
characteristics of the mind are determined by the brain.
Chapter 18. The Search
for Order. This is the introduction to the chapters on the Old and New
Testaments. It refers to the order of the analysis of these two books as
well as the order of the world according to these two books.
Chapter 19. The Old
Testament: Judaism. Here, the real beginning of the Old Testament (Exodus) is
interpreted from a new perspective. Scientific verification is
revealed. In hopes of unraveling some of the mystery surrounding one of
the basic tenets of western society, the Ten Commandments are explained in a
way that give them new and deeper meaning... then and now.
Chapter 20. The New
Testament: Christianity. Although virtually everyone thinks of Jesus as
the Christ, there are some differences between what Jesus thought and what
Christians expect. In spite of these debatable variations we can rest
assured that Jesus Christ highlighted the concepts of love and
compassion. This is the basis of Realistic Idealism which now builds on
this tradition and proposes a yet newer Gospel.
Chapter 21. "Family
Tradition" examining raising children, physiology and sexual
identification.
Chapter 22. Crime and
Punishment. Examining criminal behavior and our justice system from the
perspective of evolutionary principles.
Chapter 23.
"Government in Truth" which proposes a realistic approach to
governing.
Chapter 24. The
Practice of Realistic Idealism. We have Love and Compassion. Now we have
Knowledge and Creativity for those who are ready.
Chapter 25.
"Closing Thoughts"
I wish you peace, health and happiness.
It is not my intent to confuse, alter, or confront those things that you hold
dear, but to show you a path that I have found to a better life
and peace of mind.
Links to other essays are as follows:
Psalm 104 A detailed study of the relationship of Pharaoh Akenhaten's Hymn to his single God, "Aten" and psalm 104 in the Bible.
The Quitter Everyone Loves Want To Stop Smoking? A comedic, though informative, look at the act of the cessation of the intake of nicotine. This has information you won't find anywhere else.
The Art Of Solipsism A new, fresh look at a concept that has been long ago rejected and forgotten.
Atheism and Religion A conservative consideration of inherent qualities that might account for the "relgious experience".
The Deconstruction of Skepticism An over simplification of subject matter that is kept sacred among the philosophical community.
The Harvest
This is a Novelet that can only be classified as "religious science fiction".. possibly the first of it's kind.
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