Well, this book is, to put it lightly, blowin’ my dang mind.
I feel lost and a lot stretched in terms of my mental capacity to understand
what I’m reading. I feel incapable of even mediocre analysis.
Perhaps I should start with why the heck I’m reading this
book, which I suppose is half because Aaron said it would be good for me and half
because I’m in a place of intense desire to challenge my traditional ways of
thinking particularly about science and religion. I desire a deeper, more
personal understanding of the world – and my thoughts, feelings, emotions,
actions in relation to the world.
I’m not sure where to begin in thinking about chapter one. I
tend to not like uncertainty, but as the book notes it is not the uncertainty,
per se, but the perils of evil that are unsettling.
Dewey contrasts knowledge and action – knowledge being a
precursor to the mental act of observation and inquiry, unaffected by these
acts. In the same way, thought is described as an inner activity, intrinsic to “mind”,
complete and self-sufficient in itself. It becomes imperfect when followed upon
by action. Practical activity is connected with uncertainty, make a choice then
act and trust the remaining to fate, fortune, providence. Said differently,
these two modes are beliefs about actual existences and the course of events
and beliefs about ends to be striven for, policies to be adopted, goods to be
attained, evils to be averted. I understand that Dewey will speak to the
connection of these two kinds of beliefs.
I don’t really think I understand the premise on which it is
stated that knowledge is certainty and action is uncertainty. Is that even what
is being said? Is that put too simply? I cannot in my mind separate knowledge
from the intake that affects it and thus cannot see how it could ever be
described as fixed and unchanging – unless I suppose I look at the spectator
theory which makes some sense.
Tonight I was reading James 1 and was struck by James 1:2-3.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you
meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness.” My belief in the ends to be striven for, policies to
be adopted, goods to be attained, evils to be averted to steer clear of or deal
with ‘trials of various kinds’ are many. I spend countless hours consumed with
the above thoughts. Act to avoid as much negative as possible. Is there any
validity in that way of life as opposed to the extraordinary, higher order, the
Lord, who requests a different path –
one of joy regardless of the things of this world which in turn (reading on in
James) leads us to perfection, “complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1: 4).
Should one path, one solution overshadow the other? Should knowledge or action
prevail – and which leads to greater contentment? Which one brings greater
certainty? Are they mutually exclusive? Do I have enough faith?
Oh heavens. What to do from here?
