What is Perfection?

[Esther]

I apologize Mercutio but I am not doing well with abstract ideas and notions, I want philosophy on my plate, "ready to be consumed as a steak" as Umberto Eco has once said( it was an ironic reference to people like me--who go to Mauricio Pollini's concerts to listen to Chopin and not to Pollini preaching about Ariel Sharon).So, Iacchus might have something interesting and hot in his hands and I wish to explore this possibility that's why I ask for an example.

 

[Mercutio]

How about if you consider the functionality of anything as a whole. Doesn't it begin to stop functioning properly when you chop it up into little pieces? And, if it tends to work this way with everything in general, why shouldn't it also work with the Universe as a whole? ... which, due to all the immutable laws it adheres to, itself must be grounded in perfection. And isn't absolute (in the sense that reality is absolute) but another definition for perfection anyway?

I had a piece of chalk once, that, by breaking it, was suddenly twice as useful--two people could write at once! Its functionality was enhanced by chopping it up! (and I would also think it would depend on how you define "functionality"...if the "function" is "to serve as my supper", I find that functionality is much enhanced by cutting into bite-sized pieces, rather than trying to swallow a whole animal.)

edited to add...Esther, I composed this before I saw you wanted steak to consume...I hope this is more palatable...

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by Cap'n Sparky
No, not at all. Am just trying to establish that there may be [emphasis mine --MdC] a real purpose for our being here.

You're trying to establish a possibility? Well, congratulations. I'm sure most people here will grant you that it's possible there's a "real purpose." Your job is to give us reason to accept that possibility.

While your at it, could you endeavor to establish that maybe you are not a highly trained marmoset?

 

[Iacchus]

I had a piece of chalk once, that, by breaking it, was suddenly twice as useful--two people could write at once! Its functionality was enhanced by chopping it up! (and I would also think it would depend on how you define "functionality"...if the "function" is "to serve as my supper", I find that functionality is much enhanced by cutting into bite-sized pieces, rather than trying to swallow a whole animal.)

edited to add...Esther, I composed this before I saw you wanted steak to consume...I hope this is more palatable...

There's a primary design versus a secondary design, the primary design being that which is not to be consumed or, eaten. This is, in fact, what makes the whole thing relative.

1 divided by 2 is still one half by the way. Whereas 2 times one half equals 1. So, you may have a piece of chalk which is twice as effective, and yet it only lasts half as long. And, two half pieces of chalk are not as perfect as one whole piece of chalk. For instance, when you look at all the jagged edges where you broke it in two.

 

[Iacchus]

You're trying to establish a possibility? Well, congratulations. I'm sure most people here will grant you that it's possible there's a "real purpose." Your job is to give us reason to accept that possibility.

Of course without bringing up the possibility, how could you even consider it?

While your at it, could you endeavor to establish that maybe you are not a highly trained marmoset?

Considering that such a thing even exists, right?

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by Cap'n Sparky
Of course without bringing up the possibility, how could you even consider it?

Bloody Hell, Cap'n! How many posts (or threads, or message boards) does it take to bring up a possibility before you get around to backing it up?

Considering that such a thing even exists, right?

Such a thing as a highly trained marmoset? Or such a thing as you? Or is that a useful distinction?

 

[dmarker]

No, not at all. Am just trying to establish that there may be a real purpose for our being here.

Yes, but how would you know that this purpose exists objectively or just inside your own head?

 

[Iacchus]

Yes, but how would you know that this purpose exists objectively or just inside your own head?

Well, when considering it on a smaller a scale, there's no doubt that a sense of purpose is established with respect to myself as a whole. And, if you were to chop me up into bloody awful bits, there goes my sense of purpose ... which, of course is the preservation of self.

 

[Iacchus]

Bloody Hell, Cap'n! How many posts (or threads, or message boards) does it take to bring up a possibility before you get around to backing it up?

Sorry, but I don't expect I can answer any better than I just did above.

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Sorry, but I don't expect I can answer any better than I just did above.

So because you sense a purpose in yourself (I must admit, it's eluded me), the universe as a whole must have a purpose? When you sense hunger in yourself, do you presume the universe as a whole wants a taco?

 

[Iacchus]

So because you sense a purpose in yourself (I must admit, it's eluded me), the universe as a whole must have a purpose? When you sense hunger in yourself, do you presume the universe as a whole wants a taco?

Or, perhaps the Guy upstairs finds it fulfilling enough in and of itself? Or, maybe He's even living vicariously through us?

 

[phildonnia]

A monk asked Dongshan, "How can we deal with excessive heat and excessive cold?" Dongshan said, "Go where there is no cold, and no heat." The monk asked, "How can there be a place where there is no cold or no heat?" Dongshan said, "When it's cold, it is perfectly cold. When it's hot, it's perfectly hot."

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Or, perhaps the Guy upstairs finds it fulfilling enough in and of itself? Or, maybe He's even living vicariously through us?

Maybe? Perhaps? Do you care about anything but possibility? Undefended possibility is boring precisely because of its ubiquitousness.

Perhaps you're not a well-enough trained marmoset.

 

[Iacchus]

Maybe? Perhaps? Do you care about anything but possibility? Undefended possibility is boring precisely because of its ubiquitousness.

Perhaps you're not a well-enough trained marmoset.

However, like it was just mentioned in the other thread, "Life is a journey, not a destination." So, wouldn't I kind of be spoiling it all by letting you know ahead of time?

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by Cap'n Sparky
However, like it was just mentioned in the other thread, "Life is a journey, not a destination." So, wouldn't I kind of be spoiling it all by letting you know ahead of time?

No matter when you tell me, though, it will be now, right?

 

[Iacchus]

Eh ... what do I know?

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by Cap'n Sparky
Eh ... what do I know?

Haven't the foggiest, Cap'n. Maybe you'll tell us. Perhaps, however, you have nothing but idle conjecture about vague possibilities.

 

[Iacchus]

Haven't the foggiest, Cap'n. Maybe you'll tell us. Perhaps, however, you have nothing but idle conjecture about vague possibilities.

I really don't know anything, except what I once knew, and that was in the moment. And, since that moment has come and gone, I really don't know how to conjure it up again? However, if I do remember something and, it bears witness to the moment, I might say something.

By the way, I can't tell you any more than what you already know. This is why I ask so many questions.

 

[Radrook]

Perfection varies in accordance with the rules which set the criterion. It is a subjective evaluation.

 

[Iacchus]

Yes, but what do we base our subjectivity against, if not against the backdrop of what is real and tangibile? Otherwise there would not be much to discuss would there?