We are all on a path. The question is how do we determine the quality or value of that path. All paths might be equal in terms of destination but they are not equal in terms of difficulty to traverse it. The Wizard-Warrior does not just select the first possible route and hurries off in that direction. The Wizard-Warrior attempts to see the whole map and plan his journey – he has a method for determining the best path towards his aim. Others accept the first path they were taught or the first one that is acquired after disillusionment destroyed an old path. The Wizard-Warrior understands the concept of equifinality – that many paths can lead to the same end. Therefore the Wizard-Warrior evaluates all the paths, focus on the experiences along the route and select the one best suited for his aim.
Alfred North Whitehead calls the process of finding a way “Speculative Philosophy”. He defines Speculative philosophy as : “The endeavor to frame a coherent, logical, necessary system of general ideas in terms of which every element of our experience can be interpreted (in terms of being applicable and adequate)”. I found in my life that this is a good starting point for evaluating and measuring the our chosen way. It is interesting to observe the tetradic nature of the definition of Speculative philosophy.
The tetrad was introduced by JG Bennett as the fourth-order system within systematics. There is not enough time to give a comprehensive description of the Tetrad. A short introduction must suffice. The Tetrad defines structured activity by combining relativity and order – in short the fourth order system answers the question: “What is happening here and why?”. The answer is gained by defining four sources. Each of the four elements is a separate source of input required to sustain the activity. If any one of the sources lacks the activity cannot persist. “Each source element is separately controllable and the place and time of its entry can be selected to give the required sequence of transformations”. The four terms comes in two pairs. One pair is motivational in nature and answers the question of why things are happening and the other the enabling pair defining what is happening. The motivational pair provides the ordering component of transformation by defining by two sources: Material and Spiritual. Material is the quantitative source elements that spark the activity while Spiritual is the qualitative source elements that completes or fulfills the activity. The enabling pair provides the relativity component of transformation by defining two sources: Masculine and Feminine. The Masculine source represents the theoretical, creative intent which directs the transformation. The Feminine source represents the practical, cohesive intuition which gives form to the transformation.
Note: The link between transformation and the tetrad is of extreme importance to the Wizard-Warrior. Deepak Chopra wrote:
“(The Wizard) is not just somebody that perform magic but someone who can cause transformation”
The key then to defining the Wizard’s path is to understand transformation. The tetrad provides the key for transformation.
Whitehead states that speculative philosophy have two components: the rational and the empirical. The rational is represented by the terms “coherent” and “logical” while the empirical is represented in the terms “applicable” and “adequate”. The system proposed by Whitehead can be translated to the tetrad. The rational equates to the motivational pair of sources which means that ‘coherent’ and ‘logical’ equates to the material and spiritual sources of transforming activity. The empirical equates to the enabling pair of sources which means that the ‘applicable’ and ‘adequate’ equates to the masculine and feminine sources of the tetrad. Coherence refers to the unity of everything. My interpretation of Whitehead is that coherence implies that no path can be defined in isolation but must be defined in terms of the holistic character of the universe. Given the definition provided by Whitehead we must equate coherence with the spiritual source of the Tetrad. Logical is defined in terms of the basic principles and ideas supporting the chosen path in terms of being consistent and lacking in contradiction. I believe that Logical must also include and accept the concept of paradox to be effective as the Material source of the tetrad. Adequacy equates to the masculine source of the Tetrad being defined by Whithead as the requirement that all observed experience must exhibit the same texture (in terms of intent). Applicable relates to the Feminine source of the tetrad where it refers to the ability to interpret observed experience into meaningfulness
Thus the Warrior-Wizard continually focuses on the transformation steps along his path in terms of its coherency, logicalness, adequacy and applicability. Within this framework he sees the best way forward. The Wizard-Warrior realizes that the number of paths he see is directly proportional to his level of being. The Wizard-Warrior therefore continues to refine his process of selection and align it with his inner personal growth.
Sources:
– 1987, Process and Reality, Alfred North Whitehead – ed DR Griffin & DW Sherburne
– 1966, The Dramatic Universe, JG Bennett
– 1993, Elementary systematics, JG Bennett
– 2004, The way of the Wizard, Deepak Chopra
© JJ Pieterse [All rights reserved]
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