Final Notice Carpenter Tool (Objective/Subjective Thought Paradox) by Frank Hatch "If he saw two truths that seemed to contradict each other, he would take the two truths and the contradiction along with them. His spiritual sight is stereoscopic, like his physical sight: he sees two different pictures at once and yet sees all the better." G. K. Chesterton Orthodoxy If you interrupted a Cyclops while he was forging thunderbolts for Zeus, he might not be angry with you, even if you called him, "half-blind." He may consider himself to be a benevolent Cyclops. He would reach over and tear out one of your eyes and comment, "Now, you won't be confused with all those double images." Smiling widely at his successful surgery, he would boast, "See, everything is much clearer for you," then adding: "Pass me another thunderbolt, please. You're my new apprentice." [I don't want to discourage anyone from getting their university education; but I would suggest that they wear safety goggles.] I doubt the originality of the Cyclops analogy for two reasons: 1) It came to me too quickly; I'm usually a slow writer. 2) Better writers (G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis.....) have used the Carpenter Tool. If you want to cure the sick, cast out a demon, raise the dead, feed the multitude, move a mountain, move a planet, or properly kill an unproductive fig tree, you need the Carpenter Tool: Faith. Faith is not just a belief; Faith is action - Work. With Faith we can float on the eternal sea and some will walk on it; but we won't be allowed to cross this sea to make it finite. We will never know the beginning or the end (Ecclesiastes 3:11); but we must depend on the Beginning and the End to give us whatever information we need. We will not resolve the paradox between the infinite and the finite. Therefore, we must use the paradox as a Tool: "With eyes to see, with ears to hear," we will reach for the hem of the garment that has no hem. We will get what we want. We will find our purpose. Since each individual has a unique purpose, the Carpenter Tool works uniquely with each individual. When you need empirical data, you must use the Carpenter Tool (i.e., you must believe that there are such things as empirical data). The telescope and microscope are tools for the finite; but if you want to contrast the infinite with the finite, you need the Carpenter Tool. You need to reexamine your basic assumptions about yourself, the human situation, and the Objective/Subjective thought paradox (i.e., perceiving from the outside in and perceiving from the inside out simultaneously). This Paradox is a stereoscopic tool; without it, you are half-blind and you lose your depth. With this stereoscopic tool, you will be able to contrast the infinite with the finite without blinding yourself with a superficial synthesis. You'll be able to gather your data without corrupting or short-circuiting any inconvenient datum (e.g., Spiral Galaxy NGC 4622). Thus, you won't be forcing your data into a Closed System of Analysis (i.e., using a finite number of dimensions and variables). [Please Note: The subjective comfort of a formal thesis will always lead to a Closed System of Analysis (i.e., conformity to a finite number of dimensions and variables). However, subjective discomfort (e.g., being hit with a Newtonian apple) can lead to the moment of Objective Uncertainty necessary for honest research.] For the individual explorer, the designed incompleteness of this website allows you to work with the Carpenter Tool. Since this ancient Tool is individualized to deal with each particular subjective distortion, I continue to recommend the Bible over this website. The Bible has addressed the full spectrum of human emotions and the various subjective distortions. However, if your particular subjective distortion is with us bible-thumpers, this website may be of service to you. As I've already stated in the FAQ, this website is not advanced Christianity. This website is remedial Christianity for individuals handicapped with an active intellect; for individuals so obsessed with objectivity that they lose their objectivity; for individuals spinning off Closed Systems of analyses without rhyme or reason; for individuals that do not examine their basic assumptions before they run with a pattern of thought; for individuals locked in a nerve cycle spinning faster and faster..... The active intellect needs objective uncertainty to break the inertia of a nerve-cycle spin. Therefore, the first step in using the Carpenter Tool is objective uncertainty. You need objective uncertainty not just with the Carpenter Tool, but with your present illusion of certainty; i.e., your synthesized idea of yourself and the human situation - your idol. In a child's moment, any certainty you develop in the Carpenter Tool should only come with its use. Since you've already used the tool as a young child, you don't need instruction (Matthew 18:1-14). The tool is like a two-edged sword: you can grasp it before you swing it. You don't need to learn. You need to unlearn. "There is nothing to learn," said Mother Kirk, "The art of diving is not to do anything new but simply to cease doing something. You have only to let yourself go." C. S. Lewis The Pilgrim's Regress the persistent letter: Department of Philosophy, University of Maryland (September 12, 2009) Dr. Hatch, Looking through some old emails, I noticed that you never responded to my comments, forwarded below. A recent visit to your website confirms that the requested changes have not been made. I'm sure you are busy, but I believe these revisions are of utmost importance for the accuracy of your website. Again, do not hesitate to contact me if you believe that I am mistaken (I am reasonably confident in the appropriateness of my analysis, however). --------- Original Message ----------- Subject: error on your website Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:13:11 -0500 From: (deleted) Reply-To: (deleted) Organization: University of Maryland To: FrankHatch@FrankHatchiii.com Dear Sir, I received your email 12/14/07 regarding Final Notice. You say on "Page 3" that, "This paradox is a stereoscopic tool; without it you are half blind and you lose your depth." However, your reasoning seems to be in error here, as when the half-blindness of the individual is related non-isomorphically to the depth of the stereoscopy paradox, a further paradox results, one which, as I'm sure you are aware, cannot be in any sense considered a "tool." (This becomes evident upon proper reflection of Mark 2:27). I trust you will make the necessary revisions. If you find what I have said here to be in error, please do not hesitate to point out to me where you think my mistake lies. Yours sincerely, (name and email deleted) I haven't forgotten you. I've been avoiding you (I've misplaced my safety goggles - a non-isomorphic lie). Also, I don't like being called "Dr. Hatch," for fear that I would have to look smart or saintly and give up beer and cigars. Well, I've already given up cigars; but if I can blame you for it, I will. Appropriateness seems important to me. I'm reasonably confident that the lost bad habit has cut into the quality of my life. The purpose of this rambling introductory paragraph is to establish the fact that I'm remarkably immature for my age. I would make a lousy teacher, guru, iman, scholar, sage, etc. However, I'm great at throwing apples at Newtonian heads. But even in that task, I would rather be throwing water balloons with my grandchildren. Now, with this subjective paragraph in mind, let me itemize some of your mistakes: Your primary mistake is that after more that year and a half of reflection, you write: "I am reasonably confident in the appropriateness of my analysis" - instead of: "I am confident in my analysis" - or better, yet: "I'm right. You're wrong. Let's fight." Truth is nonnegotiable. Any attempt to capture Truth with a "wise" synthesis is a declaration of war. A group of philosophers in civil discourse will not be allowed to approach Truth (Matthew 11:25-30). The battle line has been drawn with a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24). The God/man paradox will not be resolved. Only someone free of polished idols or synthesized ideas will be able to feed on Truth (John 6:26-58). Indeed, only a freeman will be allowed to approach Truth: Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Way, and the Life. [Enough has been said. If I were writing a smart letter, this letter would end now. If you are a Christian reading this letter, I would ask you for tolerance as I continue to write about a blind-spot.] "Mark 2:27:" "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath:" I reflected on your objection to the "tool" after confirming in a private email your choice of Mark 2:27. I like the passage because it clearly reflects "be refreshed" in Exodus 23:12. Also, your choice of Mark 2:27 demonstrates your "half-blindness" by not completing the passage with Mark 2:28: "so the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath." [Your philosophy credentials must be impeccable, for only a true philosopher would cut our Lord's statement in half for a philosophical argument. (I'm sure it was done benevolently.)] Your choice (Mark 2:27) is curious because it deals with Christ's conflict with the philosophical elite on the purpose of the Sabbath. The conflict also extended to the various traditions of the Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; Isaiah 29:13-14). In your objection to a paradox being used as a "tool," you assured me: "This becomes evident upon proper reflection of Mark 2:27." Evidently, you didn't consider the possibility that I might be improper and dumb in my reflection of Mark 2:27. Therefore, I will continue in my blissful ignorance and consider the Objective/Subjective thought paradox to be a stereoscopic tool rather than a philosophical proposition. If the occasion arises that you want to join us dumb people, my advice is simple: don't over-think the paradox - use it. Best Regards, Frank Hatch |
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