Gregg, I react positively to this suggestion and will begin to use more ToK/UTUA language in my responses. Converging with your prompt for clarity regarding the theories behind our discussion/opinion, I am becoming more interested in seeing where more technical synthesis could lead if we used the Tree of Knowledge language more. -Chance On Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 6:45 AM, Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > I am signing off for a bit, but just wanted to say that this looks like a > great topic. So, thanks, Joe. Harari’s *Homo Deus* covered this issue > also. And did it so quite poorly, from a ToK/UTUA point of view. > > > > What is needed are models of mental behavioral evolution leading up to > language (done by tracking both animals in our phylogenetic line and in > tracking the development of cognitive abilities in children, like Nancy > Link argues). > > > > And then identify an evolutionary tipping point that connects all the > things that are associated with making modern human persons so different. > What could that point be? I read a book by Mercier and Sperber called *The > Enigma of Reason* that proposed a new theory about this issue. It argued > that humans are unique because they had to justify their actions. They > argue that justifying and analyzing the legitimacy of other justifications > provides a frame that explains how humans reason, give reasons for their > actions and ultimately built cultures, which are formed by reason-giving > matrices. Their novel theory is consistent with lots of data. Maybe we > should contact them and see if they can weigh in and educate us about this > important question 😊. > > > > Am now signing off for real. > > > > Peace, > > G > > > > > > *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask] > edu> *On Behalf Of *Joseph Michalski > *Sent:* Wednesday, August 15, 2018 9:30 AM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Re: A proposal for the list > > > > Dear Colleagues: > > > > *Scientific American* arrived in the mail yesterday with the cover title: > "Humans: Why we're unlike any other species on the planet." I've attached a > file with a couple of the main articles for the list's consideration. There > are several others that flesh out other aspects of "being human." > Definitely worth acquiring a copy. > > > > In any event, these types of articles lead directly to the kinds of > discussions I believe we're all interested in, especially in relation to > the ToK. Perhaps we can discuss some of the key claims of these articles to > clarify, critique, and advance our collective wisdom in regard to the joint > points and the implications for further ToK knowledge-building? I'll offer > some thoughts later on today (have to go to my 'day job' right now!), if > that would be helpful. But perhaps someone else would like to offer a few > thoughts to kick off some discussion. > > > > All best regards, -Joe > > > > Dr. Joseph H. Michalski > > Acting Academic Dean/Associate Academic Dean > > King’s University College at Western University > > 266 Epworth Avenue > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__maps.google.com_-3Fq-3D266-2BEpworth-2BAvenue-2B-250D-250A-2BLondon-2C-2BOntario-2C-2BCanada-2B-2BN6A-2B2M3-26entry-3Dgmail-26source-3Dg&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=W-oy70QN2WX9D-_kIilaePgBlmlrFKziiUUqh5-rYiM&s=0e52JsovwPrmiFDcfaCDlZsOGywAyfE7itmIMn-Z7bc&e=> > > London, Ontario, Canada > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__maps.google.com_-3Fq-3D266-2BEpworth-2BAvenue-2B-250D-250A-2BLondon-2C-2BOntario-2C-2BCanada-2B-2BN6A-2B2M3-26entry-3Dgmail-26source-3Dg&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=W-oy70QN2WX9D-_kIilaePgBlmlrFKziiUUqh5-rYiM&s=0e52JsovwPrmiFDcfaCDlZsOGywAyfE7itmIMn-Z7bc&e=> > N6A 2M3 > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__maps.google.com_-3Fq-3D266-2BEpworth-2BAvenue-2B-250D-250A-2BLondon-2C-2BOntario-2C-2BCanada-2B-2BN6A-2B2M3-26entry-3Dgmail-26source-3Dg&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=W-oy70QN2WX9D-_kIilaePgBlmlrFKziiUUqh5-rYiM&s=0e52JsovwPrmiFDcfaCDlZsOGywAyfE7itmIMn-Z7bc&e=> > > Tel: (519) 433-3491 > > Fax: (519) 963-1263 > > Email: [log in to unmask] > > ______________________ > > *ei*π + 1 = 0 > ------------------------------ > > *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask] > edu> on behalf of Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx <[log in to unmask]> > *Sent:* Wednesday, August 15, 2018 7:43:02 AM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* A proposal for the list > > > > Dear List, > > > > I have spoken with some folks, and I would like to offer a proposal. > Please share reactions if you have them. > > > > My proposal is that our contributors frame their responses a bit so that > the audience can be clear about knowledge system they are operating from. > This request was triggered by Lonny’s reply to the behavioral selection > post. As I back channeled him, when I read it, like Jamie, I was quite > confused. It was definitely *not* the ToK/UTUA language system (i.e., it > characterized the meaning/empirical reference of mind, life, feeling, etc. > very differently). It became immediately clear in our back channel exchange > that, indeed, Lonny was operating off of a different metaphysical > system/language game. That is fine, of course, but if it is not clear, it > leads to confusion for the audience…very much along the lines if someone > started speaking French. > > > > My exchange with Lonny made explicit what has become, I think, a bit of > an issue for the list. That is, we are seeing lots of posts (which is good) > from individuals who are speaking from a number of different systems (which > is ok, but can be confusing). John’s First Principles of Physiology and > Mark’s McLuhan x Aristotle positions are two that are prominent. Jamie’s > Moral Apex is another (although it is not necessarily different from the > ToK/UTUA). With Lonny in the mix, plus the ToK/UTUA frame, that is > potentially five different systems of thought. That is a lot to keep track > of, increasing the likelihood of audience overload and tuning out. > > > > I propose a few things. First, I think it will help the audience if the > poster is clear what frame they are speaking from. Second, I think it is > fine that we have different version of reality that folks are operating > from. We are exploring (big) Theories Of Knowledge, after all. It is also > the case, however, that the ToK/UTUA frame is the “center of gravity” that > has served to attract the group as a whole. So, I think it would make sense > if that was considered the “default” and we should be primarily oriented to > it and if one is using a different frame, be clear about it in relation to > the ToK. I would also welcome more in-depth exploration of the ToK/UTUA in > relation to other frames or problems in general. For example, I thought > Joe’s comment about universities could have been a great “in” to explore > what the ToK/UTUA frame is getting at. > > > > In terms of examples about what I mean, I already mentioned that it > would have helped out if Lonny had started out his email via an > articulation of his position. Another example that came up yesterday was > the response by Mark to the entropic brain article, which he responded to > by saying, “it need not concern* us* too much. No, physics (and math) > is not where understanding begins.” I did not know who the “us” was, and, > as such, it did not sit quite right. However, if we knew the “us” meant > Mark’s paradigm that emphasizes McLuhan and formal metaphysics, then the > “us” is clearer. It is an interesting paradigm, no doubt. But that is the > frame over on his list (Center for Digital Life), and it is not the > ToK/UTUA frame, which as I mentioned to him in my brief reply, is > fundamentally about the assimilation and integration of knowledge systems. > (The article about brain, mind and entropy is very much connected to the > ToK/UTUA system. Indeed, the article was conceptually anchored to the > Friston’s free energy principle > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__en.wikipedia.org_wiki_Free-5Fenergy-5Fprinciple&d=DwMF-w&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=6MBLeBRO0whD49q2mB7nzPpXxIizSjHEFIMJGIrMRPE&s=sqlQV2CzWh6tIdmPbIv2HrLxZdDmTVBl5MRlgkDbkgQ&e=>, > which Chance explored some on is dissertation on dreams and the unified > approach, so that is a* direct* connection between the article and BIT). > > > > Anyway, those are some thoughts for the day. This is not intended to be > a powerplay or designed to diminish other voices so the light is only > shined on the ToK (Side note: In JH speak, this “disclaimer” is designed to > advertise my selflessness, as I behave selfishly 😊…If you look for them, > such justification disclaimers happen all the time—and not just in others; > you will do them automatically as well), but rather it is intended to bring > some focus and clarity to these discussions. The goal is to help those who > are following have a sense of shared participation, clarity and cumulative > understanding, as opposed to experiencing the list as a rather chaotic > flood of ideas coming from a multitude of diverse perspectives with no > reference point for understanding. *The whole point of the ToK/UTUA is to > NOT replicate the chaotic processes that are happening in the world out > there!* > > > > Look forward to others’ thoughts if they have them. > > > Best, > Gregg > > ___________________________________________ > > Gregg Henriques, Ph.D. > Professor > Department of Graduate Psychology > 216 Johnston Hall > MSC 7401 > James Madison University > Harrisonburg, VA 22807 > (540) 568-7857 (phone) > (540) 568-4747 (fax) > > > *Be that which enhances dignity and well-being with integrity.* > > Check out my Theory of Knowledge blog at Psychology Today at: > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_blog_theory-2Dknowledge&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=W-oy70QN2WX9D-_kIilaePgBlmlrFKziiUUqh5-rYiM&s=ctL-HjeNOf25sGg4IVX-Y4wwOEcye2z-joLCBfriBfQ&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_blog_theory-2Dknowledge&d=DwMF-w&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=6MBLeBRO0whD49q2mB7nzPpXxIizSjHEFIMJGIrMRPE&s=YENW_TcODlKyJyIe2FEImGIWVmPAofwvgbvolpG-RQI&e=> > > > > Check out my webpage at: > > www.gregghenriques.com > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.gregghenriques.com&d=DwMF-w&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=6MBLeBRO0whD49q2mB7nzPpXxIizSjHEFIMJGIrMRPE&s=PUdguJDGaVyon1FQVV5K3rloEe7knjcgJ5ZdP-qQjeE&e=> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A= > 1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A= > 1 > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A= > 1 > ############################ To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1