It is believed by many that, “God created the universe” and that “God is good.” An inconsistency comes about when one observes that there is evil in this world, and God cannot be the source of evil. One then rationalizes that Satan, who is created by God, is the source of evil. Satan is evil because, having a mind of his own, he disobeys God. One then wonders if it is bad to have a mind of one’s own. The inconsistency then falls apart when one looks more closely without rationalization.
It is believed by many that, “Man is created in the image of god.” Thus, God is believed to have a beingness with a form. Since beingness with form must exist in space, God must exist in space too. We then observe that space is part of this universe, and it must have been created when the universe was created. This means that, God did not have location in space, when he first created this universe. And so, God did not have beingness with form in the beginning. The inconsistency also falls apart when looked at more closely.
These are some obvious examples of inconsistencies that are hidden under rationalized beliefs. The whole concept of LOOKING goes against rationalization. It makes the gaps in knowledge stand out quite clearly. This may be uncomfortable when looking raises questions about one’s cherished beliefs, but this is necessary if any progress is to be made.
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THE SPOKEN OR WRITTEN WORD
Most of our knowledge is acquired through spoken or written words when we listen to our parents, go to school, go to church, work on jobs, read books and use Internet. Of course, there is experience but it gets colored by what we have been taught through spoken and written words.
Truth exists only in the exactness of perception. If one is interested in knowing the truth then one should perceive for oneself what is actually there without assuming anything. And, if that brings up inconsistencies then truth is contained in the resolution of those inconsistencies.
When knowledge is being conveyed via the spoken or written word, then the first step is to clearly understand the sense conveyed by the words in the context they are used. The next step is to resolve any inconsistencies that come up when dealing with the meaning of those words.
A good example is the word “God,” which is passed down to us through the Bible. There are inconsistencies connected with the word “God” as pointed out at the beginning of this essay. We are not sure if the language used in the scriptures is poetic and allegorical. So a closer look is needed at the Biblical references. When all inconsistencies are resolved the truth shall reveal itself.
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WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS
We have dictionaries available to help us find the meaning of words. When doing so, keep in mind that words have evolved over time and they have acquired different shades of meanings.
(1) Start with the root meaning of the word.
A good place to start would be to grasp the common denominator of the various meanings attributed to a word. The derivation of a word may help you understand how the various meanings have evolved. Look up the derivation of the word first. Follow the derivation back to its roots to find the “root meaning.” For example, when you follow the derivation of the word study, you may come up with the root meaning “eagerness.” This may be the common denominator of the various meanings of the word study as “eagerness to know.”
Dictionaries usually provide useful derivations of words. You may use dictionaries on Internet, such as, the link http://dictionary.reference.com. To really get the history of a word, you may have to go to a reference, such as, “Dictionary of Word Origins” by John Ayato. Check out the derivation and history of the word arithmetic.
(2) Look up and visualize the various definitions of the word.
Next, look up the definitions provided for that word. As you look at each meaning, relate it to your experience and visualize it in your mind. If the word is exuberant then look at the times when you felt exuberant, or perceived somebody else being exuberant. It is much easier to visualize when the word refers to something concrete. You can find the actual thing to look at, or you may find a model or, at least, a picture of that thing. For example, for the word archipelago, you may easily find models or pictures in an encyclopedia or on the Internet.
If the definition refers to something abstract, then you can still find examples that illustrate that idea or concept. For example, the word ineffable is quite abstract; but you can find enough examples to define it for yourself. Look up as many examples as necessary, and follow it up with your own examples. You may even work out how ineffable is that way, or not that way until it starts to make sense. Use your experience and visualization.
(3) If there are words in definitions that you don’t understand then look them up too.
It is possible to get into long word chains when looking up the words in definitions, but this needs to be done. Keep in mind that words are only approximations. What is important is getting a clear visualization of what is meant. So, get enough understanding of the word to be able to visualize the context. Keep on visualizing that word in different contexts until suddenly the meaning becomes clear. A skillful use of visualization may help you keep the word chains short.
Keep a record of the words as you look them up. Cross out a word as soon as its meaning is understood. Sometimes a word may come up again that you had looked up earlier. But this time it may be used differently. It is okay to look up the same word as many times as necessary. Each time you look up a word you may pick up a new dimension of its meaning.
(4) Select the definition that clarifies the context the most.
A dictionary may provide several definitions for a word. Check out how each definition fits into the context through visualization. Even if the right definition is not there, the visualization will help you work it out. Once you have a clear idea of the meaning that fits in that context, use that word in several sentences. This will make you feel comfortable when using that word in speech or writing.
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SUBJECT AND UNDERSTANDING
Sorting out the meaning of words, as above, removes the initial hurdle in understanding a subject. Since the subject has passed through various hands before arriving in its present form, there may still be some inconsistencies to sort out. The following steps may help detect inconsistencies present in the subject.
(1) List the key words of the subject.
Scan through the material to be studied and list all the key words. These are the words that carry the key concepts. For example, in the subject of mathematics, some of the key words are: mathematics, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equation, unknown, variable, space, and direction, distance, position, etc. This list may grow as you get deeper into the subject. Words may also be added as the definition of a word may refer to additional words in that subject that may carry key concepts.
(2) Arrange the words in the sequence in which the concepts have evolved.
Start by arranging the words in the sequence that they appear in the material being studied. As you gain familiarity with their meanings, keep rearranging the key words in the sequence they seem to have evolved. Move the words embodying more fundamental concepts toward the top. Move the words embodying derived concepts toward the bottom. You may attach brief clues to the words as to what they mean.
(3) Use the list as the “context” in which to understand the key words.
Go up and down the sequence of the key words. Clarify and align the meanings further as necessary. Notice any gaps or inconsistencies and try to resolve them. Include them in your list if they cannot be resolved.
(4) Study the subject in detail to resolve gaps and inconsistencies.
The purpose of study is not to memorize information, but to resolve gaps and inconsistencies in understanding. What you already understand should be of no further concern. Make sure you understand the materials as you proceed. The moment some material start to become confusing, stop and locate the source of confusion. Clear the confusion; or, at least, note it down in your list, before proceeding further.
Note that there are likely to be many contributors to a subject. For example, you may look at religion as a subject contributed to by many different cultures. You may find different contributors referring to similar concepts by different key words. Add such keywords to your List. If more than one key word seems to embody the same concept, then note down the similarities and differences among the meaning of those key words.
(5) Clarify the fundamentals of the subject as a priority.
Your Key Words List may branch out and grow into an inverted ”Key Words Tree” as you move lower and lower down the list. The gaps and inconsistencies at the lower part of tree may depend on those at the top. It is, therefore, worthwhile to start addressing the gaps and inconsistencies closer to the top as a priority. This is where the fundamentals of a subject would reside.
Study the fundamentals from various sources. You may create a Key Word List or Tree just for these fundamentals. It is the most important part of any subject. You may create experiments where you find obvious gaps in the fundamental knowledge. Fill these gaps with research and make the whole subject as much complete and consistent as possible.
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SUMMARY
When spoken and written words are used to gain knowledge, one must understand the meaning of those words in the correct context. Inconsistencies may arise during this process, and a resolution of them may guide one toward the correct meaning. This may then require a close examination of one’s beliefs and assumptions.
If one rationalizes inconsistencies to preserve one’s beliefs then no new knowledge is gained. It is only through the resolution of inconsistencies that one gains new knowledge and arrives at truth.
To resolve an inconsistency, simply keep looking at it per The Mechanics of Looking, until one spots considerations that one has been taking for granted, all the way to their source.
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