On Wed, 13 Sep 2000 08:39:35 -0400, Amadeus Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>On Wed, 13 Sep 2000 07:02:10 -0400, Philip Thrift <[log in to unmask]>
>wrote:
>
>>Mental models, logic, abstractions (seperating reality into "things" and
>>"sets of things"), etc. have been useful (mental)
>>technologies our species has developed in our survival.
>>But they should not be mistaken for reality ("truth" if you want) itself.
>
>I would go so far as to say that models (pictures abstactions)
>are the only kind of reality available.
>
>Every "thing", object, reality or "truth" you can talk about
>is necessarily a object in your mind.

I was just reminded of the story:

 Hogen, a Chinese Zen teacher, lived alone in a small temple
 in the country.  One day four traveling monks appeared and asked
 if they might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves.

 While they were building the fire, Hogen heard them arguing
 about subjectivity and objectivity.  He joined them and said:
 "There is a big stone.  Do you consider it to be inside or
 outside your mind?"

 One of the monks replied: "From the Buddhist viewpoint
 everything is an objectification of mind, so I would say that
 the stone is inside my mind."

 "Your head must feel very heavy," observed Hogen,
 "if you are carrying around a stone like that in your mind."

       (from "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones")




Philip Thrift
http://www.paleofitness.com