Achieving simplicity in a world of complexity

Would Jesus Now be Prosecuted by US? (Part #6)

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Experiencing simplicity: The increasing degree of information overload, and the increasing complexity of society, engender a fundamental desire for simple truth experienced existentially. The assumption is readily made by adherents of various belief systems that that simplicity may be experienced through a pattern of prescriptions and laws -- however complex these may be, and whatever the challenge to their comprehension. Ignorance of the law is not held to be a valid plea.

There is however the possibility that the simplicity for which people yearn may not be achieved experientially in this way. The widespread recourse to drugs, and other mind-altering methods, is an indication of this. Efforts to ensure a supportive quality of life through governance have also proven to be problematic -- and a challenge to the associated assumptions (Ungovernability of Sustainable Global Democracy? 2011). Raising the spectre of terrorism, and cultivating a culture of fear, is the current preferred alternative as a means of focusing the collective mind on "reality" to reinforce the message (Promoting a Singular Global Threat -- Terrorism: strategy of choice for world governance, 2002). sacrifices may then be felt to be necessary -- as of yore.

Indicative correspondences: As a personal existential experience, there is then a curious correspondence between the following within an information society variously permeated by belief:

• reassuring sense of simplicity vs. threatening sense of complexity
• reassuring sense of confidence vs. threatening sense of uncertainty
• reassuring sense of existence vs. threatening sense of terror
• reassuring sense of property ownership vs. threatening sense of its destruction

For those trying to achieve simplicity (and its analogues above) through a pattern of norms (and prescriptions according to that pattern), the situation is now readily framed as a "war against terrorism" and the extremes it represents (Norms in the Global struggle against Extremism: "rooting for" normalization vs. "rooting out" extremism? 2005).

Transcendental embodiment of truth: The possibility that access to existential simplicity may more readily be achieved through transcending a restrictive pattern of norms embodied in law is typically not envisaged -- and is itself to be considered a threatening incitement to a hidden form of violence against conventional "law and order". This is a form of freedom of opinion which may be challenged in some jurisdictions.

The question then, as in the struggle to articulate the insights of fundamental physics, is how to engage with any "transcendental" truth offering a sense of simplicity. How can that engagement encompass confidence in the face of uncertainty and existence in the face of terror. The challenge is exemplified in relation to "property" -- whether embodied in a pattern of beliefs as "intellectual property" or in a "temple" (of religion, finance, science, or politics).

Where is it possible to feel "at home"? The paradoxical possibility can be framed in terms of "introversion", otherwise comprehended (World Introversion through Paracycling: global potential for living sustainably "outside-inside", 2013). With respect to its Christian heritage, a most curious twist to the symbolism of the "justice" pursued by the US with respect Manning-Assange-Snowden, is that they have all been rendered "homeless" -- with "no place to lay their heads" -- in anticipation of permanent incarceration.

Transformation between forms of truth: There is also the question of the transition -- or transformation -- between one pattern and another, potentially with the possibility of returning to the first according to circumstance. separately this transition has been framed in terms of a "deadly question" enabling disassociation from that sensed to be inadequate in order to shift into the other offering greater "enlightenment" (In quest of the most deadly question, 2013; Enabling morphogenesis and transformation through catastrophic questioning, 2013).

The relationship between modalities, perceived as radically different, may however be usefully understood as founded on a paradoxical cognitive illusion. Metaphorically this may be explored in terms of the argument for "polyocular vision" as made by Magoroh Maruyama (Polyocular Vision or subunderstanding? Organization studies, 25, 2004, pp. 467-480), and discussed separately (Polyocular strategic vision , 2009). It is perhaps best illustrated by the Mobius strip, as notably highlighted by Steven M. Rosen (Science, Paradox and the Moebius Principle: the evolution of the transcultural approach to wholeness, 1994):

• sense of simplicity 8 sense of complexity
• sense of confidence 8 sense of uncertainty
• sense of existence 8 sense of terror
• sense of property 8 sense of destruction

Recognizing a framework of higher dimensionality: These suggest that the confrontations between Jesus and the Sanhedrin, between the Catholic Church and Galileo, or between the USA and Manning-Assange-Snowden, all call for a framing of higher existential dimensionality -- whatever that may come to mean in terms of logic or worldview.

The challenge for the individual confronted with such divisive dynamics is discussed separately (Eliciting a Universe of Meaning -- within a global information society of fragmenting knowledge and relationships, 2013).

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