AFewExamplesofExerciseswhichareImplicitin

RudolfSteiner’sThePhilosophyofFreedom

ByTimothyE.Nadelle

withthesupport&assistanceoftheExerciseAdvisoryGroup

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

THINKINGConsciousHumanAction:2DesireforKnowledge:2–3ThinkingintheServiceofKnowledge:4-6TheWorldasPercept:7-8TheActofKnowing:9-10HumanIndividuality:11-12ArethereLimitstoKnowledge:13-14FEELINGTheRoleofThoughtintheFormation&UniversalizationofFeeling:15-16ExploringtheIinPassiveversusConceptuallyDigestedFeeling:17-18WILLINGFreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseA QuotationsfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:19-22 Exercise…WhatifIHadConsciouslyFashionedaMotive?:23FreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseB

QuotationsfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:24-25Exercise…WhatifIHadConsciouslyFashionedaMotive?:25-26

FreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseCQuotationsfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:27Exercise…WhatifIHadConsciouslyFashionedaMotive?:27-28

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PART1)THINKING

ConsciousHumanAction

ThefollowingexerciseanditssequelwereinspiredbythecontentofthefirstchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom.Pertinentquotesfromchapteroneareasfollows:

“Ifthereisadifferencebetweenaconsciousmotiveofactionandanunconsciousurge,thentheconsciousmotivewillresultinanactionwhichmustbejudgeddifferentlyfromonethatspringsfromblindimpulse.Henceourfirstquestionwillconcernthisdifference,andontheresultofthisenquirywilldependwhatattitudeweshallhavetotaketowardsthequestionoffreedomproper.”

“ThequestionisnotwhetherIcancarryoutadecisiononcemade,buthowthedecisioncomesaboutwithinme.”TheExerciseØ Inthefollowingexercise,selectexamplesfromyourlifewhichyouarecomfortablesharinginasmall

group.

1. Lookintoyourpastandidentifyanactionyoutookwhichresultedmorefromimpulse.Bringthemomentvividlybeforeyou.• Whatwastheactionyoutook?• Whatwereyoufeelinginthemomentbeforeyouacted?• Whatwasthemotivewhichledtoyouraction?• Howdidthedecisiontoactcomeaboutwithinyou?

2. Lookintoyourpastandidentifyanactionwhichyoutookwhereyouwereconsciousofthemotiveforyouraction.Bringthemomentvividlybeforeyou.• Whatwastheactionyoutook?• Whatwereyoufeelinginthemomentbeforeyouacted?• Whatwasthemotivewhichledtoyouraction?• Howdidthedecisiontoactcomeaboutwithinyou?

3. Whatdifferencesdoyouseeinthemannerinwhichthetwodecisionstoactcameaboutwithinyou?Sequel(forpotentialfutureuse):Overthecourseoftheday,makeanefforttobecomeawareattimeswhenyouareabouttotakeactionarisingfromanunexaminedmotive.Pausebeforeactingandrecognizethemotive.Considerwhetheradifferentmotivemightmoreappropriatelymeettheneedsofthesituation.

Chapter2,DesireforKnowledge

ThefollowingexerciseswereinspiredbythecontentofthesecondchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom.Pertinentquotesfromchaptertwoareasfollows:

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“Thissomethingmorewhichweseekinthings,overandabovewhatisimmediatelygiventousinthem,splitsourwholebeingintotwoparts.Webecomeconsciousofourantithesistotheworld.Weconfronttheworldasindependentbeings.Theuniverseappearstousintwooppositeparts:IandWorld…Butweneverceasetofeelthat,inspiteofitall,webelongtotheworld,thatthereisaconnectinglinkbetweenitandus,andthatwearebeingswithinandnotwithouttheuniverse.”“DualismpaysattentiononlytotheseparationbetweenIandWorldwhichtheconsciousnessofmanhasbroughtabout.Allitseffortsconsistinavainstruggletoreconciletheseopposites,whichitnowcallsspiritandmatter,nowsubjectandobject,nowthinkingandappearance.Itfeelsthattheremustbeabridgebetweenthetwoworldsbutisnotinapositiontofindit…Dualismseesinspirit(I)andmatter(World)twofundamentallydifferententities,andcannot,therefore,understandhowtheycaninteractwithoneanother.”“Monismpaysattentiononlytotheunityandtrieseithertodenyortoslurovertheopposites,presentthoughtheyare…monismhastriedthreedifferentwaysofmeetingthedifficulty.Eitheritdeniesspiritandbecomesmaterialism;oritdeniesmatterinordertoseekitssalvationinspiritualism;oritassertsthateveninthesimplestentitiesintheworld,spiritandmatterareindissolublyboundtogethersothatthereisnoneedtomarvelattheappearanceinmanofthesetwomodesofexistence,seeingthattheyareneverfoundapart.”“Materialism…beginswiththethoughtofmatterormaterialprocesses.But,insodoing,itisalreadyconfrontedbytwodifferentsetsoffacts:thematerialworldandthethoughtsaboutit.Thematerialseekstomaketheselatterintelligiblebyregardingthemaspurelymaterialprocesses…Heoverlooksthat,indoingso,heismerelyshiftingtheproblemfromoneplacetoanother.”“Thegenuinespiritualistdeniestomatterallindependentexistenceandregardsitmerelyasaproductofspirit.Butwhenhetriestousethistheorytosolvetheriddleofhisownhumannature,hefindshimselfdrivenintoacorner.Overagainstthe“I”orEgowhichcanberangedonthesideofspirit,therestandsdirectlytheworldofthesenses.Nospiritualapproachtoitappearsopen.”TheExercise1. Bringbeforeyourselfaquestionwithwhichyouarenowgenuinelyinvolved.

2. Enterintothequestionfromtheperspectiveofeachofthefollowingworldviews.Betruetoeachworldview.Ifyouwereadevoted,intelligentrepresentativeofeachofthefollowingworldviews,howmightyoureflectuponyourquestion?Asyouexploreeachone,askyourselfinturnwhatyouwouldaccept,modifyorrefuteineachoftheseperspectives.

a. Dualismb. Monism–materialismc. Monism–spiritualism

3. Hasthecomplexionofyourinitialquestionaltered?Hasyourapproachtoansweringitevolved?

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Chapter3ThinkingintheServiceofKnowledge(PartI)

ThefollowingexercisewasinspiredbythecontentofthethirdchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom.Pertinentquotesfromchapterthreeareasfollows:

“Observationandthinkingarethetwopointsofdepartureforallthespiritualstrivingofman,insofarasheisconsciousofsuchstriving.”

“Insequenceoftime,observationdoesinfactcomebeforethinking…Everythingthatentersthecircleofourexperience,wemustfirstbecomeawareofthroughobservation.Thecontentofsensation,perceptionandcontemplation,allfeelings,allactsofwill,dreamsandfancies,mentalpictures,conceptsandideas,allillusionsandhallucinations,aregiventousthroughobservation.”

“Whereasobservationofthingsandevents,andthinkingaboutthem,areeverydayoccurrencesfillingupthecontinuouscontentofmylife,observationofthinkingitselfisakindofexceptionalstate…Wemustbequiteclearaboutthefactthat,inobservingthinking,weareapplyingtoitaprocedurewhichconstitutesthenormalcourseofeventsforthestudyofthewholeoftherestoftheworld-content,butwhichinthisnormalcourseofeventsisnotappliedtothinkingitself.”Exercise,PartIObservingThinkingintheWorld1)Observeanoccurrenceinyourenvironment.2)Thinkaboutyourobservation.3)Observethethinkingthatyoudid.Chapter3ThinkingintheServiceofKnowledge(PartII)

Thefollowingexerciseinitstwoparts(A&B)wereinspiredbythecontentofthethirdchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom.Pertinentquotesfromchapterthreeprecedeeachexercise.

PartA)ObservingThinkinginMeditation

“Observationandthinkingarethetwopointsofdepartureforallthespiritualstrivingofman,insofarasheisconsciousofsuchstriving.”

“Insequenceoftime,observationdoesinfactcomebeforethinking…Everythingthatentersthecircleofourexperience,wemustfirstbecomeawareofthroughobservation.Thecontentofsensation,perceptionandcontemplation,allfeelings,allactsofwill,dreamsandfancies,mentalpictures,conceptsandideas,allillusionsandhallucinations,aregiventousthroughobservation.”

“Whereasobservationofthingsandevents,andthinkingaboutthem,areeverydayoccurrencesfillingupthecontinuouscontentofmylife,observationofthinkingitselfisakindofexceptionalstate…Wemustbequiteclearaboutthefactthat,inobservingthinking,weareapplyingtoitaprocedurewhichconstitutesthenormalcourseofeventsforthestudyofthewholeoftherestoftheworld-content,butwhichinthisnormalcourseofeventsisnotappliedtothinkingitself.”

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“Whatinallotherspheresofobservationcanbefoundonlyindirectly,namely,therelevantcontextandtherelationshipbetweentheindividualobjects,is,inthecaseofthinking,knowntousinanabsolutelydirectway.Idonotknowonthefaceofitwhy,formyobservation,thunderfollowslightning;butIknowdirectly,fromtheverycontentofthetwoconcepts,whymythinkingconnectstheconceptofthunderwiththeconceptoflightning…."

PartII,ExerciseA):

1. Observetheseparateconceptswhicharereflectedinthewordsofanexcerptfromaverse.Forexample,

workwiththefollowingexcerptfromthewordsofBenedictusinScene3ofthePortalofInitiation:“Light’sweavingspiritstreamsthroughwidthsofspacetofilltheworldwithbeing.”Firstly,enterdeeplyintotheessenceoftheconcept“weaving”.Then,afteratime,turnseparatelytotheconcept“spirit”andenterdeeplyintoitsessence.

2. Now,withyourthinking,bringtheconcept“weaving”intorelationwiththeconcept“spirit”.Studyhowthroughtheircombinationthecountenanceofeachismodifiedandsomethinggreatercomesintobeing.Bringotherconceptsfromtheverseintorelationwithwhatyouhavecreated,growingthelivingthoughtentityandtakingnoteoftheprogressivetransformations.

3. Finally,removealloftheconceptsoftheversefromyourawareness.Observeyourcreativeactivity,theprocessthroughwhichthethoughtentitycameintobeing.

PartB)ObservingtheThinking“I”

“Anexperiencedeventmaybeasetofperceptsoritmaybeadream,ahallucinationorsomethingelse.Inshort,Iamunabletosayinwhatsenseitexists.Icannotgatherthisfromtheeventinitself,butIshallfinditoutwhenIconsidertheeventinitsrelationtootherthings.ButhereagainIcannotknowmorethanjusthowitstandsinrelationtotheseotherthings.MyinvestigationtouchesfirmgroundonlywhenIfindanobjectwhichexistsinasensewhichIcanderivefromtheobjectitself.ButIammyselfsuchanobjectinthatIthink,forIgivetomyexistencethedefinite,self-determinedcontentofthethinkingactivity.FromhereIcangoontoaskwhetherotherthingsexistinthesamesenseorinsomeothersense.”PartII,ExerciseB):

1. Takeupnowthesecondlineoftheversequotedabove,whichis:“Love’sblessingwarmsagesoftime,proclaimingrevelationofallworlds.”AsinthePartA)exercise,bringtheindividualconceptsintomutualrelation.Observehow,throughyouractivity,conceptsweaveoneintoanother,comingintomovement,intolife.

2. Turnyourgazeawayfromtheconceptsandobservenowtheprocessofthethinkinginwhichyouwereengaged.

3. Nowturnyourgazeawayfromthethinking.Observethe“I”throughwhichthethinkingcameintobeing.

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Thetwoexercisescanbesummarizedasfollows:

PartA)ObservingThinking PartB)ObservingtheThinking"I"

1)Observeconcepts2)Observetheirinterweaving 1)Observeconceptualinterweaving3)Observethethinkingprocess 2)Observethethinkingprocess

3)Observethethinking"I"

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Chapter4,TheWorldasPercept

ExperiencingtheContentofPure,UnthinkingObservationExerciseA,below,wasinspiredbythefollowingcontentofthefourthchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom:

“Wemustaskourselveshowthatotherelement,whichwehavesofarsimplycalledtheobjectofobservationandwhichmeetsthethinkinginourconsciousness,comesintoourconsciousnessatall.

“Inordertoanswerthisquestionwemusteliminatefromourfieldofobservationeverythingthathasbeenimportedbythinking.Foratanymomentthecontentofourconsciousnesswillalreadybeinterwovenwithconceptsinthemostvariedways.

“Wemustimaginethatabeingwithfullydevelopedhumanintelligenceoriginatesoutofnothingandconfrontstheworld.Whatitwouldbeawareof,beforeitstartsitsthinkinginmotion,wouldbethepurecontentofobservation.Theworldwouldappearthentothisbeingasnothingbutameredisconnectedaggregateofobjectsofsensation:colours,sounds,sensationsofpressure,ofwarmth,oftasteandsmell;alsofeelingsofpleasureandpain.Thisaggregateisthecontentofpure,unthinkingobservation.”

ExerciseA)ExperiencingtheContentofPure,UnthinkingObservation

1. ObserveandactivelythinkaboutanobjectBringanobjectbeforeyouandobserveit.Tobeginwith,payparticularattentiontoanyquestionswhichariseforyouandanyactivethinkingyoudoinconnectionwithwhatyouobserve.

2. EliminateactivethinkingNowturnyourattentiongentlyawayfromthosequestionsandthatactivethinking.Focusyourattentioninsteadonanyconceptswhichidentifyorcharacterizetheobjectanditsfeatures,forexample,theconcepts“book”,“softcover’orthetitleofthebook.

3. Eliminate“given”conceptsNowturnyourattentionawayfromthoseconceptswhichdescribeornametheobjectanditsfeatures.Focusinsteadonconceptswhichdefine,convey,relate…sensoryimpressions.Forexample,theconcept“book”isnotasensoryimpression.“Red”isasensoryimpression;butitisalsoaconcept.Focusonconceptswhichdescribecolour,texture,hardnessetc.

4. EliminatesensoryconceptsNowturnyourattentionawayfromtheconceptualcounterpartofyoursensoryimpressions.Forexample,turnyourattentionawayfromtheconcept“cool”andletonlythesensoryimpression(s)livewithinyourconsciousness.

5. Whatdoyounowexperience?

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PartB)ExperiencingthePerceiving“I”andtheMentalPictureExerciseB,below,wasinspiredbythefollowingcontentofthefourthchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom:

“…Itis,then,nottheprocessofobservationbuttheobjectofobservationwhichIcallthe‘percept’”.

“…Evenmyfeelingbecomesknowntomebybecomingaperceptforme.Andthewayinwhichwegainknowledgeofourthinkingthroughobservationissuchthatthinkingtoo,initsfirstappearanceforourconsciousness,maybecalledapercept.”

“…Iperceivenotonlyotherthings,butalsomyself.Theperceptofmyselfcontains,tobeginwith,thefactthatIamthestableelementincontrasttothecontinualcomingandgoingofthepercept-pictures…WhenIamabsorbedintheperceptionofagivenobjectIamforthetimebeingawareonlyofthisobject.Tothistheperceptofmyselfcanbeadded…Idonotmerelyseeatree,butIalsoknowthatitisIwhoamseeingit.Iknow,moreover,thatsomethinghappensinmewhileIamobservingthetree.Whenthetreedisappearsfrommyfieldofvision,anafter-affectofthisprocessremainsinmyconsciousness–apictureofthetree…Myselfhasbecomeenriched;itscontenthasabsorbedanewelement.ThiselementIcallmymentalpictureofthetree…”

“…Thefailuretorecognizethetruerelationshipbetweenmentalpictureandobjecthasledtothegreatestmisunderstandingsinmodernphilosophy…”

Exercise,PartB)ExperiencingtheContentofPure,UnthinkingObservation

1) Bringyourobjectbeforeyouagainandobserveitinanywayyoulike.2) Shiftyourattentiontowardsyourself.Observenowthe“I”whichdidtheperceiving.3) Turnawayfromtheobjectorcloseyoureyes.Observethenewelementwhichyouhaveabsorbedas

contentintoyourself:observeyourmentalpictureoftheobject.4) Nowpullyourattentionawayfromthecontentofthementalpicture.Instead,observethemannerin

whichitappearstoyou.Observe,theform,substanceandcharacteristicsofyourmentalpicture.5) Whatisyourexperienceoftherelationshipbetweenyourmentalpictureandtheobject?

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Chapter5TheActofKnowingExploringtheSelfExerciseA,below,wasinspiredbythefollowingcontentofthefifthchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom:“Theallimportantthingnowistodeterminehowthebeingthatweourselvesareisrelatedtotheotherentities.Thisdeterminationmustbedistinguishedfrommerelybecomingconsciousofourselves.TheperceptionofmyselfrevealstomeanumberofqualitieswhichIcombineintomypersonalityasawholejustasIcombinethequalitiesyellow,metallic,hard,etc.,intheunity“gold”.Theperceptionofmyselfdoesnottakemebeyondthesphereofwhatbelongstome.Thisperceivingofmyselfmustbedistinguishedfromdeterminingmyselfbymeansofthinking.Justas,bymeansofthinking,Ifitanysingleexternalperceptintothewholeworldcontext,sobymeansofthinkingIintegrateintothewholeworldprocesstheperceptsIhavemadeofmyself.”

“Inthinkingwehavethatelementgivenuswhichweldsourseparateindividualityintoonewholewiththecosmos.Isofaraswesenseandfeel(andalsoperceive),wearesinglebeings;insofaraswethink,wearetheall-onebeingthatpervadeseverything.”

“Theperceptisthusnotsomethingfinishedandself-contained,butonlyonesideofthetotalreality.Theothersideistheconcept.Theactofknowingisthesynthesisofperceptandconcept.Onlytheperceptandconcepttogetherconstitutethewholething.”ExerciseA)ExploringtheSelf1) PerceivingVividlyrecallamomentwhenyoutookanaction.Whataspectofyourselfrevealsitselftoyounow,asyouconsideryouraction?Perceivethisaspectofyourself.Removeallconceptualcontentfromyourconsciousness.Removethememoryitself,sothatyouallowthepureperceptionofthistraitortendencyalonetolivewithinyourawareness.

2) ThinkingThinkaboutwhatyouhaveperceivedinyourself.Atwhattimesdoesthisqualitymanifest?Howdoesitcombinewithorinfluenceotheraspectsofyourself?Howdoesitaffectthepeopleinyourlife?

3) SynthesisObservethedifferencesbetweenyourperceivingandyourthinkingaboutthetrait.Witnesstheconversationwhichtakesplacebetweenyourperceivingandyourthinking.Whatistheessentialnatureofthisaspectofyourself,whichyouhaveobserved?ExploringtheWorldExerciseB,below,wasinspiredbythefollowingcontentofthefifthchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom:“Letusseewhatthisworldofperceptsislike:amerejuxtapositioninspace,ameresuccessionintime,amassofunconnecteddetails–thatishowitappears.Noneofthethingswhichcomeandgoonthestageofperceptionhasanydirectconnection,thatcanbeperceived,withanyother…Theseparatefactsappearin

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theirtruesignificance,bothinthemselvesandfortherestoftheworld,onlywhenthinkingspinsitsthreadsfromoneentitytoanother.”“Toexplainathing,tomakeitintelligible,meansnothingelsethantoplaceitintothecontextfromwhichithasbeentornbythepeculiarcharacterofourorganisation…Athingcutofffromtheworld-wholedoesnotexist.Allisolatinghasonlysubjectivevalidityforourorganisation.Forus,theuniversedividesitselfupintoaboveandbelow,beforeandafter,causeandeffect,thingandmentalpicture,matterandforce,objectandsubjectetc.Whatappearstousinobservationasseparatepartsbecomescombined,bitbybit,throughthecoherentunifiedworldofourintuitions.Bythinking,wefittogetheragainintoonepieceallthatwehavetakenapartthroughperceiving.”

“Whatthenisapercept?Thequestion,askedinthisgeneralway,isabsurd.Aperceptemergesalwaysassomethingperfectlydefinite,asaconcretecontent.Thiscontentisdirectlygivenandiscompletelycontainedinwhatisgiven.Theonlyquestiononecanaskconcerningthegivencontentiswhatitisapartfromperception,thatis,whatitisforthinking.Thequestionconcerningthe“what”ofaperceptcan,therefore,onlyrefertotheconceptualintuitionthatcorrespondstothispercept.”Exercise,PartB)ExploringtheWorld

1) PerceivingObserveanobject.Gradually-anintensifyingexertionofeffortwillbenecessary–tothegreatestextentpossible,setasideallconceptualcontentfromyourconsciousness,sothatwhatremainsareonlyyoursenseperceptionsoftheobject.Ifanyconceptemergesorre-emergesinyourconsciousness,gentlyletitgo.(Thisisnota“successorfailure”exercise.Partialprogressisfine.)

2) ThinkingObservetheobjectagain,attendingnowtotheconceptswhichriseupinyourawareness.Exploretheirinterconnections,howtheyweaveandformtherealitywhichmanifestsinyourobjectandwhichconnectsittotheworld.

3) SynthesisObservethedifferencesbetweenyourperceivingandyourthinkingabouttheobject.Witnesstheconversationwhichtakesplacebetweenyourperceivingandyourthinking.Whatistheessentialnatureoftheobject?

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Chapter6HumanIndividuality

ThefollowingexerciseinitstwopartswereinspiredbythecontentofthesixthchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom.Pertinentquotesfromchaptersixareasfollows:

“…wearenotsatisfiedmerelytoreferthepercept,bymeansofthinking,totheconcept,butwerelatethemalsotoourparticularsubjectivity,ourindividualEgo.Theexpressionofthisindividualrelationshipisfeeling,whichmanifestsitselfaspleasureordispleasure.”

“Thinkingistheelementthroughwhichwetakepartintheuniversalcosmicprocess;feelingisthatthroughwhichwecanwithdrawintothenarrowconfinesofourownbeing.Ourthinkinglinksustotheworld;ourfeelingleadsusbackintoourselvesandmakesusindividuals.”

“Fortheuniverseasawholemylifeoffeelingcanhavevalueonlyif,asaperceptofmyself,thefeelingentersintoconnectionwithaconceptandinthisroundaboutwaylinksitselftothecosmos.”

“Atrueindividualitywillbetheonewhoreachesupwithhisfeelingstothefarthestpossibleextentintotheregionoftheideal.”

“Alifeoffeeling,whollydevoidofthinking,wouldgraduallyloseallconnectionwiththeworld.Butmanismeanttobeawhole,andforhimknowledgeofthingswillgohandinhandwiththedevelopmentandeducationofthelifeoffeeling.”

Exercise

RemembertoselecteventsforPartsIandIIwhichyouarecomfortablesharinginasmallgroup.

PartA)1. Recallaverybriefevent–justamoment-whichbroughtaboutinyouapainfulfeeling.2. Perceivethefeelingwithoutatfirstthinkingaboutitorevennamingit.Ifthefeelingwasmulti-layered,

experienceitsvariousfeatures,itsnuances.Letthefeelingspeakwithinyou.3. Namethefeelingorfeelings,findingtheconcept(s)whichidentifyitorthem.4. Now,thinkaboutthefeeling.Considerwhatexternalfactorsevokedthisfeeling,identifyingclearlyand

objectivelywhatwasatworkintheworldandhowitsexpressionbroughtaboutyourfeeling.5. Considerwhatwasalreadylivinginyourself,whichmadeitpossiblefortheeventtobringaboutinyou

thefeeling.Wasthereanunderlyingthoughtaboutyourselfortheworldwhichwasawakenedbytheevent?Wasthereadesireorintentionorstrivingyoucarry,whichcollidedwiththeevent?

6. Wheredoyoufindthegoodintheevent?7. Leavingyourmemoryimageoftheeventaside,bringthethinkingyouhavejustdoneaboutthefeeling

beforeyouasapicture.Whatdoyousee?

PartB)1. Recallaverybriefevent–justamoment-whichbroughtaboutinyouapleasurablefeeling.2. Perceivethefeelingwithoutatfirstthinkingaboutitorevennamingit..Letthefeelingspeakwithinyou.3. Namethefeelingorfeelings,findingtheconcept(s)whichidentifyitorthem.4. Considerwhatexternalfactorsevokedthisfeeling,identifyingclearlyandobjectivelywhatwasatworkin

theworldandhowitsexpressionbroughtaboutyourfeeling.

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4. Considerwhatreceptivityinyourselfmadeitpossiblefortheeventtobringaboutinyouthefeeling.5. Towhatextentdidthepleasurederivefromtheevent’stransitorynature?6. Towhatextentdidthepleasurederivefromsomethingessential,enduring?7. Leavingyourmemoryimageoftheeventaside,bringthethinkingyouhavejustdoneaboutthefeeling

beforeyouasapicture.Whatdoyousee?

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Chapter7ArethereLimitstoKnowledge?

ThefollowingexercisewasinspiredbythecontentoftheseventhchapterofthePhilosophyofFreedom.Pertinentquotesfromchaptersevenareasfollows:

“Everykindofexistencethatisassumedoutsidetherealmofperceptandconceptmustberelegatedtothesphereofunjustifiedhypotheses.”

“Thefollowerofamonisticworldconceptionknowsthateverythingheneedsfortheexplanationofanygivenphenomenonintheworldmustliewithinthisworlditself.Whatpreventshimfromreachingitcanbeonlyaccidentallimitationsinspaceandtime,ordefectsofhisorganisation,thatis,notofhumanorganisationingeneral,butonlyofhisownparticularone.

“Itfollowsfromtheconceptoftheactofknowingaswehavedefinedit,thatonecannotspeakoflimitsofknowledge.”

“Ifwesetourselvesquestionswhichwecannotanswer,itmustbebecausethecontentofthequestionsisnotinallrespectsclearanddistinct.Itisnottheworldwhichsetsusthequestions,butweourselves.”

“…Itmaybethat,atanyparticularmoment,thisorthatremainsunexplainedbecause,throughourplaceinlife,wearepreventedfromperceivingthethingsinvolved.Whatisnotfoundtoday,however,maybefoundtomorrow.Thelimitsduetothesecausesareonlytransitory,andcanbeovercomebytheprogressofperceptionandthinking.”

“Wemustclearlyunderstandthateveryperceptualpictureoftheworldowesitsformtotheorganisationoftheperceivingbeing,butalsothattheperceptualpicturewhichhasbeenthoroughlypermeatedbytheexperienceofthinkingleadsintoreality.”

“…everyperceptgivesusonlyapartoftherealityconcealedwithinit,inotherwords…itdirectsusawayfromitsinherentreality.Addedtothisisthefurtherrealizationthatthinkingleadsusintothatpartoftherealitywhichtheperceptconcealswithinitself.”

“Thedeepeningofknowledgedependsonthepowersofintuitionwhichexpressthemselvesinthinking.Inthelivingexperiencewhichdevelopsinthinking,thisintuitionmaydivedowntogreaterorlesserdepthsofreality.”

Exercise

1. Observesomething:anobjectorafeelingorthememoryofanevent–whateveryoulike.Thinkaboutwhatyouareobserving.

2. Asyourthinkingprogresses,abideforawhilewiththefirstquestionwhichariseswhichyouareunabletoanswer.

3. Investigatewhetheryourinabilitytoanswerthequestionis…• duetoaccidentallimitationsinspaceandtimeOR• duetodefectsinyourindividualorganisationOR• becausethecontentofthequestionisnotinallrespectsclearanddistinctOR• duetosomecombinationofthesefactors.

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4. Ifyourquestionisnotclearanddistinct,reviseit.Otherwise,ponderhowananswertoyourquestionmightbediscoveredsometimeinthefuture,eitherbyyourselforsomeoneelse.

5. Returntoyourthinkingorthinkanewaboutwhatyouareobserving.Intheprocessofthisthinking,whathaveyoudiscoveredwhich,atfirst,remainedconcealedwithinthepercept?

6. Letallthethinkingwhichyouhavedone(in1–5)nowriseupbeforeyouasapicturewhichyoucanobserve.

7. Whatrevealsitselfthroughthepicture?

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PART2)FEELING

TheRoleofThoughtintheFormation&UniversalizationofFeelingTheexercise,below,wasinspiredbythefollowingquotesfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:

QuotesfromChapter1ConsciousHumanAction,pages11–12:

i. “Pityentersmyheartwhenthementalpictureofapersonwhoarousespityappearsinmyconsciousness.Thewaytotheheartisthroughthehead.Loveisnoexception.Wheneveritisnotmerelytheexpressionofbaresexualinstinct,itdependsonthementalpictureweformofthelovedone.Andthemoreidealisticthesementalpicturesare,justsomuchthemoreblessedisourlove.Heretoo,thoughtisthefatheroffeeling.”

ii. “Itissaidthatlovemakesusblindtothefailingsofthelovedone.Butthiscanbeexpressedtheotherwayround,namely,thatitisjustforthegoodqualitiesofthesoulthatloveopenstheeyes.Manypassbythesegoodqualitieswithoutnoticingthem.One,however,perceivesthem,andjustbecausehedoes,loveawakensinthesoul.Whatelsehashedonebutmadeamentalpictureofwhathundredshavefailedtosee?Loveisnottheirs,becausetheylackthementalpicture.”

QuotefromChapter6HumanIndividuality,page86:

iii. “Onemightbetemptedtoseeinthelifeoffeelinganelementthatismorerichlysaturatedwithrealitythanisthecontemplationoftheworldthroughthinking.Butthereplytothisisthatthelifeoffeeling,afterall,hasthisrichermeaningonlyformyindividualself.Fortheuniverseasawholemylifeoffeelingcanhavevalueonlyif,asaperceptofmyself,thefeelingentersintoconnectionwithaconceptandinthisroundaboutwaylinksitselftothecosmos.”

Exercise:TheRoleofThoughtintheFormation&UniversalizationofFeeling1. Pictureaperson,livingordead,whomyoulikeorwhomyoulove.2. Recallatimewhenoneofthatperson’sgoodqualitieswasrevealedtoyouthroughtheperson’swordsor

actions.(Preferably,chooseanexperiencewhichdoesnotdirectlyinvolveyou.However,ifyouweredirectlyinvolved,looknowuponyourparticipationobjectively,asifyouwereathirdparty.)Bringthisincidentbeforeyouasvividlyaspossible.

3. Whatisthatgoodqualitywhichwasrevealedtoyou?Whatdoesthatgoodqualitytellyouabouttheperson?

4. TurnyourattentiontothefeelingswhichariseinyouNOW,inthepresent,throughthisqualityyouhaveseenintheperson.Enterdeeplyintoyourpresentfeeling.Withoutyetnamingit,letitcomealivebeforetheeyesofyoursoul.

5. Nowfindtheconceptwhichexpressesthenatureofthefeeling(s).Namethefeeling(orfeelings).

*******6. Thinkaboutyourfeeling.Whatdoesyourfeelingimparttoyouaboutlifeandtheworld?

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7. Imaginesomeoneiscomingtoyouforadviceafteratimeofearnestself-examination.Heasksyou,“HowcanIcultivateamorelovingdispositiontowardsthepeopleinmylife?”InformedbythequotesfromSteinerinPart1andbyyourworkwiththisexercise,whatwouldyoutellhim?

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ExploringtheOrientationoftheIinPassiveversusConceptuallyDigestedFeeling

Theexercise,below,wasinspiredbythefollowingquotesfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:

QuotefromChapter8TheFactorsofLife,pages116-117:

1) “…Thus,formonism,feelingisanincompletereality,which,intheforminwhichitfirstappearstous,doesnotyetcontainitssecondfactor,theconceptoridea.Thatiswhy,inactuallife,feelings,likepercepts,appearpriortoknowledge.Atfirst,wehavemerelyafeelingofexistence,anditisonlyinthecourseofourgradualdevelopmentthatweattaintothepointatwhichtheconceptofselfemergesfromwithinthedimfeelingofourownexistence.However,whatforusappearsonlylaterisfromthefirstindissolublyboundupwithourfeeling.Thisiswhythenaivepersoncomestobelievethatinfeelingheispresentedwithexistencedirectly,inknowledgeonlyindirectly.”

QuotefromAuthor’sAddition,1918toChapter3ThinkingintheServiceofKnowledge,page442) “…onlyinthethinkingactivitydoestheIknowitselftobeoneandthesamebeingwiththatwhichis

active,rightintoalltheramificationsofthisactivity.Withnoothersoulactivityisthissocompletelythecase.Forexample,inafeelingofpleasureitisperfectlypossibleforamoredelicateobservationtodiscriminatebetweentheextenttowhichtheIknowsitselftobeoneandthesamebeingwithwhatisactive,andtheextenttowhichthereissomethingpassiveintheItowhichthepleasuremerelypresentsitself.Thesameappliestotheothersoulactivities.”

QuotefromChapter7HumanIndividuality,page93:

3) “Alifeoffeeling,whollydevoidofthinking,wouldgraduallyloseallconnectionwiththeworld.Butmanismeanttobeawhole,andforhimknowledgeofthingswillgohandinhandwiththedevelopmentandeducationofthelifeoffeeling.

Feelingisthemeanswhereby,inthefirstinstance,conceptsgainconcretelife.”

Exercise:ExploringtheOrientationoftheIinPassiveversusConceptuallyDigestedFeeling

Workthroughthisexercisebyyourselffirst.Asyouwilllaterbeaskedtorecountyourworkwithinyourgroup,youmaywishtotakenotes.

1. Recallabriefmomentwhenyouexperiencedapleasurablefeeling.Recreatethemomentwhichledtothefeeling,vividly.Findtheconceptswhichcharacterizethefeelingorfeelings.Whatwouldyouanswerifsomeoneaskedyou“Whatwereyoufeeling?”

2. ConsidertheorientationofyourIduringthatmoment,asthefeelingsmanifested(notbeforeorafter,butduringthefeelingexperience).TowhatextentwasyourIoneandthesamebeingwithwhatwasactiveandtowhatextentwastheresomethingpassiveinyourI,towhichthefeelingsmerelypresentedthemselves?

3. Thinkabouthowthefeelingsaroseatthetime.a. Whatexactlyintheworld–whatspecificthoughtormentalpicture–broughtaboutthefeelings?b. Whatisitaboutyou–yourcharacterologicaldisposition-thatmadeyoufeelthefeelingsinyour

ownuniquemanner?

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4. Whatdoesthefeelingtellyouaboutlifeandtheworld?5. Asyouruminateoverthesethoughts(re-thinkthemifithelps),attendnowtoyourpresentfeelings,the

feelingswhichariseforyouinconnectionwithyourthinking.Howwouldyoucharacterizethesefeelings?6. Withrespecttothesepresentfeelings…experiencetheorientationofyourI.Inthispresentmoment,as

thefeelingsmanifest,towhatextentdoyou(doesyourI)knowyourselftobeoneandthesamebeingwiththatwhichisactiveandtowhatextentistheresomethingpassiveinyourItowhichthefeelingmerelypresentsitself?

7. Whatindications,ifany,doyourownexperienceworkingwiththeexercisesuggestforthedevelopmentandeducationofyourlifeoffeeling?

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PART3)WILLING

FreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseA)FreedomCallisthenicsExerciseA)andTables1-3)wereinspiredbythefollowingquotesfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:

QuotesfromChapter9TheIdeaofFreedom,pages124-126:

“…wecangaininsightintotheconnectionsbetweenthinking,consciousI,andtheactofwill,onlybyobservingfirsthowanactofwillissuesfromthehumanorganisation.Inanyparticularactofwillwemusttakeintoaccountthemotiveandthedrivingforce.Themotiveisafactorwiththecharacterofaconceptormentalpicture;thedrivingforceisthewill-factorbelongingtothehumanorganisationanddirectlyconditionedbyit.Theconceptualfactor,ormotive,isthemomentarydeterminingfactorofthewill;thedrivingforceisthepermanentdeterminingfactoroftheindividual…”

“Butoneandthesameconcept,oroneandthesamementalpicture,affectsdifferentindividualsdifferently.Theystimulatedifferentmentodifferentactions.Anactofwillisthereforenotmerelytheoutcomeoftheconceptormentalpicturebutalsooftheindividualmake-upoftheperson…thecharacterologicaldisposition…Thecharacterologicaldispositionisformedbythemoreorlesspermanentcontentofoursubjectivelife,thatis,bythecontentofourmentalpicturesandfeelings…Mycharacterologicaldispositionisdeterminedespeciallybymylifeoffeeling.WhetherIshallmakeaparticularmentalpictureorconceptintoamotiveofactionornot,willdependonwhetheritgivesmejoyorpain…”

“Wemustthereforedistinguish(1)thepossiblesubjectivedispositionswhicharecapableofturningcertainmentalpicturesandconceptsintomotives,and(2)thepossiblementalpicturesandconceptswhichareinapositiontoinfluencemycharacterologicaldispositionsothatanactofwillresults.Forourmorallife,theformerrepresentthedrivingforce,andthelatter,itsaims.”

Table1)ActofWill

DrivingForce(WillFactor) Motive1)whichdispositionscan -chacterologicaldisposition -mentalpictures 2)whichmentalpictures&turncertainmental (formedbyone'spersonalhistoryof -concepts conceptscaninfluencemypictures&conceptsinto mentalpictures,feelings) characterologicaldispositionmotives? permanentdeterminingfactor momentarydeterminingfactor sothatanactofwillresults?

1) 2)

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TheDrivingForces:QuotesfromChapter9TheIdeaofFreedom,pages126-129:

“Thedrivingforceinthemorallifecanbediscoveredbyfindingouttheelementsofwhichindividuallifeiscomposed.Thefirstlevelofindividuallifeisthatofperceiving,moreparticularlyperceivingthroughthesenses.Thisistheregionofourindividuallifeinwhichperceivingtranslatesitselfdirectlyintowilling,withouttheinterventionofeitherafeelingoraconcept.Thedrivingforcehereinvolvedissimplycalledinstinct.Thesatisfactionofourlower,purelyanimalneeds(hunger,sexualintercourseetc.)comesaboutinthisway…”

“Thiskindofdeterminationofthewill,whichbelongsoriginallyonlytothelowersenses,mayhoweverbecomeextendedalsototheperceptsofthehighersenses.Wemayreacttotheperceptofacertaineventintheexternalworldwithoutreflectingonwhatwedo,withoutanyspecialfeelingconnectingitselfwiththepercepts,asinfacthappensinourconventionalsocialbehaviour.Thedrivingforceofsuchactioniscalledtactormoralgoodtaste…”

“Thesecondlevelofhumanlifeisfeeling.Definitefeelingsaccompanytheperceptsoftheexternalworld.Thesefeelingsmaybecomethedrivingforceofanaction.WhenIseeastarvingman,mypityforhimmaybecomethedrivingforceofmyaction…Suchfeelings,forexample…areshame,pride…revenge…piety…loveandduty.”

“Thethirdleveloflifeamountstothinkingandformingmentalpictures.Amentalpictureorconceptmaybecomethemotiveofanactionthroughmerereflection.Mentalpicturesbecomemotivesbecause,inthecourseoflife,weregularlyconnectcertainaimsofourwillwithperceptswhichrecuragainandagaininmoreorlessmodifiedform.Hencewithpeoplenotwhollydevoidofexperienceithappensthattheoccurrenceofcertainperceptsisalwaysaccompaniedbytheappearanceinconsciousnessofmentalpicturesoractionsthattheythemselveshavecarriedoutinasimilarcaseorhaveseenotherscarryout.Thesementalpicturesfloatbeforetheirmindsaspatternswhichdetermineallsubsequentdecisions;theybecomepartoftheircharacterologicaldisposition.Thedrivingforceinthewill,inthiscase,wecancallpracticalexperience.Practicalexperiencemergesgraduallyintopurelytactfulbehaviour…”

“Thehighestlevelofindividuallifeisthatofconceptualthinkingwithoutregardtoanydefiniteperceptualcontent.Wedeterminethecontentofaconceptthroughpureintuitionfromoutoftheidealsphere.Suchaconceptcontains,atfirst,noreferencetoanydefinitepercepts.Ifweenteruponanactofwillundertheinfluenceofaconceptwhichreferstoapercept,thatis,undertheinfluenceofamentalpicture,thenitisthisperceptwhichdeterminesouractionindirectlybywayofconceptualthinking.Butifweactundertheinfluenceofintuitions,thedrivingforceofouractionispurethinking.Asitisthecustominphilosophytocallthefacultyofpurethinking“reason”,wemaywellbejustifiedingivingthenameofpracticalreasontothemoraldrivingforcecharacteristicofthisleveloflife…Itisclearthatsuchanimpulsecannolongerbecountedinthestrictestsenseasbelongingtothecharacterologicaldisposition.Forwhatishereeffectiveasthedrivingforceisnolongersomethingindividualtome,buttheidealandhenceuniversalcontentofmyintuition.”

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TheMotives

QuotesfromChapter9TheIdeaofFreedom,pages129-130:

“Themotivesofmoralconductarementalpicturesandconcepts.ThereareMoralPhilosopherswhoseeamotiveformoralbehaviouralsointhefeelings…Pleasureitself,however,cannotbecomeamotive;onlyanimaginedpleasurecan.Thementalpictureofafuturefeeling,butnotthefeelingitself,canactonmycharacterologicaldisposition…”

“Thementalpictureofone’sownoranother’swelfareis,however,rightlyregardedasamotiveofthewill.Theprincipleofproducingthegreatestquantityofpleasureforoneselfthroughone’saction,thatis,ofattainingindividualhappiness,iscalledegoism.Theattainmentofthisindividualhappinessissoughteitherbythinkingruthlesslyonlyofone’sowngoodandstrivingtoattainitevenatthecostofthehappinessofotherindividuals(pureegoism),orbypromotingthegoodofothers,eitherbecauseoneanticipatesafavourableinfluenceonone’sownpersonindirectlythroughthehappinessofothers,orbecauseonefearstoendangerone’sowninterestbyinjuringothers(moralityofprudence).Thespecialcontentoftheegoisticalprinciplesofmoralitywilldependonthementalpictureswhichweformofwhatconstitutesourown,orothers’,happiness.Amanwilldeterminethecontentofhisegoisticalstrivinginaccordancewithwhatheregardsasthegoodthingsoflife(luxury,hopeofhappiness,deliverancefromvariousevils,andsoon.)

Thepurelyconceptualcontentofanactionistoberegardedasyetanotherkindofmotive.Thiscontentrefersnottotheparticularactiononly,aswiththementalpictureofone’sownpleasures,buttothederivationofanactionfromasystemofmoralprinciples.Thesemoralprinciples,intheformofabstractconcepts,mayregulatetheindividual’smorallifewithouthisworryinghimselfabouttheoriginoftheconcepts.Inthatcase,wesimplyfeelthatsubmittingtoamoralconceptintheformofacommandmentovershadowingouractions,isamoralnecessity…”

“Itisaspecialkindofthesemoralprincipleswhenthecommandmentismadeknowntousnotthroughanexternalauthoritybutthroughourowninnerlife(moralautonomy).Inthiscase,wehearthevoicetowhichwehavetosubmitourselves,inourownsouls.Thisvoiceexpressesitselfasconscience.

Table2)DrivingForces

Elementsof GenericDrivingForcesIndividualLife

thinkingwith,atfirst,no

referencetoperceptsthinking&formingmental practicalexperiencepictures

feeling feeling

highersenses tactormoralgoodtaste

lowersenses instinctperceiving

practicalreason (nolongerbelongingtocharacterologicaldisposition)

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Itisamoraladvancewhenamannolongersimplyacceptsthecommandsofanouterorinnerauthorityasthemotiveofhisaction,buttriestounderstandthereasonwhyaparticularmaximofbehaviourshouldactasamotiveinhim.Thisistheadvancefrommoralitybasedonauthoritytoactionoutofmoralinsight.Atthislevelofmoralityamanwilltrytofindouttherequirementsofthemorallifeandwilllethisactionsbedeterminedbytheknowledgeofthem.Suchrequirementsare:

(1) thegreatestpossiblegoodofmankindpurelyforitsownsake;(2) theprogressofcivilization,orthemoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfection;(3) therealizationofindividualmoralaimsgraspedbypureintuition…”

“Theprincipleoftheprogressofcivilization,likethatofthegeneralgood,isbasedonamentalpicture,thatis,onthewaywerelatethecontentofourmoralideastoparticularexperiences(percepts).Thehighestconceivablemoralprinciple,however,isonethatfromthestartcontainsnosuchreferencetoparticularexperiences,butspringsfromthesourceofpureintuitionandonlylaterseeksanyreferencetopercepts,thatis,tolife…”

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FreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseA)TheDispositionswhichcanturnvariousmentalpicturesandconceptsintomotivesAND

Mentalpictures&conceptswhichinfluencemydispositionsoanactofwillresults

1)Inyourmind,movebackwardsthroughthelastdaysorweeks,untilyourecallspecificactionsyoutookwhichrevealthefollowinggenericdrivingforces.(Seetablebelow.)Recordoneactionwhichcorrespondstoeachdrivingforce.

2)Onceyouhavefoundanactualactionexampleforeachgenericdrivingforce,recordalsothespecificdrivingforcebehindeachactionandrecordit.Forexample,forthegenericdrivingforce"instinct",aspecificdrivingforcemightbe"thirst".

Table3)

3)Foreachaction,recallwhatyouwerethinkingjustbeforeyouacted.Whatspecificmentalpicturebecamethemotiveforyouraction?Recorditonthetable.

4)Findandrecordthegenericmotive(fromTable2)whichcategorizesyourspecificmotive.

5)Chooseanyoneofyour4actionsfromthetableasanexampletoinvestigatemoredeeply.Recallthequotefromchapter9:

"Mycharacterologicaldispositionisdeterminedespeciallybymylifeoffeeling.WhetherIshallmakeaparticularmentalpictureorconceptintoamotiveofactionornot,willdependonwhetheritgivesmejoyorpain."

Contemplatethesourceofthejoywhichcausedyoutomakethisspecificmentalpictureorconceptintoamotiveofaction.Whatfeelingseithersupportedorworkedagainstyourimpulsetoact?

6)Chooseanotherexamplefromyourtable.Examinemoredeeplywhatyouwerethinkingbeforeyouacted.Whywasthisspecificmentalpictureorconceptsoabletoinfluenceyourcharacterologicaldispositionthatanactofwillresulted?

Action DrivingForce Motive

Generic(fromTable2)

Specific Specificmentalpicture Generic(fromTable2)

practicalexperience

feeling

tact/moralgoodtaste

instinct

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FreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseB)FreedomCallisthenicsExerciseBwasinspiredbythefollowingquotesfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:

QuotefromChapter1ConsciousHumanAction,page11“…Thatanaction,ofwhichtheagentdoesnotknowwhyheperformsit,cannotbefree,goeswithoutsaying.Butwhataboutanactionforwhichthereasonsareknown?Thisleadsustothequestionoftheoriginandmeaningofthinking.Forwithouttherecognitionofthethinkingactivityofthesoul,itisimpossibletoformaconceptofknowle"dgeaboutanything,andthereforeofknowledgeaboutanaction.Whenweknowwhatthinkingingeneralmeans,itwillbeeasytogetclearabouttherolethatthinkingplaysinhumanaction.”

QuotefromChapter3ThinkingintheServiceofKnowledge,page29“Foreveryone,however,whohastheabilitytoobservethinking–andwithgoodwilleverynormalmanhasthisability–thisobservationisthemostimportantonehecanpossiblymake.Forheobservessomethingofwhichhehimselfisthecreator;hefindshimselfconfronted,notbyanapparentlyforeignobject,butbyhisownactivity.Heknowshowthethingcomesintobeing.Heseesintoitsconnectionsandrelationships.Afirmpointhasnowbeenreached,fromwhichonecan,withsomehopeofsuccess,seekanexplanationofallotherphenomenaoftheworld.”

QuotesfromChapter9TheIdeaofFreedom

Pages132–133:“Inanyparticularactofwillwemusttakeintoaccountthemotiveandthedrivingforce.Themotiveisafactorwiththecharacterofaconceptormentalpicture;thedrivingforceisthewillfactorbelongingtothehumanorganizationanddirectlyconditionedbyit.”

Page131:“Itisamoraladvancewhenamannolongersimplyacceptsthecommandsofanouterorinnerauthorityasthemotiveofhisaction,buttriestounderstandthereasonwhyaparticularmaximofbehaviourshouldactasamotiveinhim.Thisistheadvancefrommoralitybasedonauthoritytoactionoutofmoralinsight.Atthislevelofmoralityamanwilltrytofindouttherequirementsofthemorallifeandwilllethisactionsbedeterminedbytheknowledgeofthem.Suchrequirementsare:

i. thegreatestpossiblegoodofmankindpurelyforitsownsake;ii. theprogressofcivilization,orthemoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfection;iii. therealizationofindividualmoralaimsgraspedbypureintuition…”

“Theprincipleoftheprogressofcivilization,likethatofthegeneralgood,isbasedonamentalpicture,thatis,onthewaywerelatethecontentofourmoralideastoparticularexperiences(percepts).Thehighestconceivablemoralprinciple,however,isonethatfromthestartcontainsnosuchreferencetoparticularexperiences,butspringsfromthesourceofpureintuitionandonlylaterseeksanyreferencetopercepts,thatis,tolife…”

Page134:“Thesumofideaswhichareeffectiveinus,theconcretecontentofourintuitions,constituteswhatisindividualineachofus,notwithstandingtheuniversalityoftheworldofideas.Insofarasthisintuitivecontentappliestoaction,itconstitutesthemoralcontentoftheindividual.Toletthiscontentexpressitselfinlifeisboththehighestmoraldrivingforceandthehighestmotiveamancanhave,whoseesthatinthiscontentallothermoralprinciplesareintheendunited.Wemaycallthispointofviewethicalindividualism…Thedecisivefactorinanintuitivelydeterminedactioninanyconcreteinstanceisthediscoveryofthecorrespondingpurelyindividualintuition.”

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QuotefromChapter12MoralImagination,pages163–164“Manproducesconcretementalpicturesfromthesumofhisideaschieflybymeansoftheimagination.Thereforewhatthefreespiritneedsinordertorealizehisideas,inordertobeeffective,ismoralimagination.Thisisthesourceofthefreespirit’saction…Moralimagination,inordertorealizeitsmentalpicture,mustsettoworkinadefinitesphereofpercepts.Humanactiondoesnotcreatepercepts,buttransformsalreadyexistingperceptsandgivesthemanewform.Inordertobeabletotransformadefiniteobjectofperception,orasumofsuchobjects,inaccordancewithamentalpicture,onemusthavegraspedtheprincipleatworkwithintheperceptpicture,thatis,thewayithashithertoworked,towhichonewantstogiveanewformordirection.Further,itisnecessarytodiscovertheprocedurebywhichitispossibletochangethegivenprincipleintoanewone.Thispartofeffectivemoralactivitydependsonknowledgeoftheparticularworldofphenomenawithwhichoneisconcerned…”IndividualFreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseB):WhatifIHadConsciouslyFashionedaMotive?

1) Movebackwardsuntilyoudiscoveranactionyoutookwhichnowdisappointsyou–anactioninwhichyounowrecognizeyoufellshortoftheidealsyouwouldliketoembody.

a) Whatwerethegenericandspecificdrivingforceofthisaction?b) Whatwerethegenericandspecificmotive?c) Towhatextentwereyouconsciousofyourmotiveatthetimeyouacted?d) Attendnowtothefeelingswhichariseinyouinresponsetothisself-knowledge.Whatareyou

feeling?

2) Thegreatestgoodofmankindpurelyforitsownsakea) Bringbeforeyoutheperceptpictureofthesituation–justpriortoyouraction-withasmuchdetail

andclarityaspossible.b) Reflectnowupontheideaofthegreatestgoodofhumankindpurelyforitsownsakeasa

comprehensivemotive.c) Whatspecificmotiveemergesforyounow,outofthegreatestgoodofhumankind,asthemoral

principlemostappropriatetoyourperceptpicture?d) Whatmentalpictureclarifiesforyounowoutofthatspecificmotive,asapossiblealternativeaction

youmighthavetaken?(Keepinmind,thegreatestgoodinthiscasewillapplytothehumanbeingorhumanbeingsconnectedwiththespecificsituation.)

3) Theprogressofcivilization,ormoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfectiona) Onceagain,bringbeforeyoutheperceptpictureofthesituation–justpriortoyouraction.

ElementsofIndividualLife GenericDrivingForces GenericMotivesthinkingwith,atfirst,no realizationofindividualmoralaimsgraspedbypureintuitionreferencetopercepts moral progressofcivilization;moralevolutionofmankindthinking&forming practicalexperience insight greatestgoodofmankindmentalpictures authority inner consciencefeeling feeling outer commandment

highersenses tact/moralgoodtaste indirectegoism,throughhappinessofotherslowersenses instinct egoism moralityofprudence

pureegoism(promotionofone'sownwelfare)

practicalreason

perceiving

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b) Reflectnowupontheideaoftheprogressofcivilization,ormoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfection.Experienceinyourthinkinghowthisidea“turnsouttobeaspecialcaseoftheforegoingmoralprincipal”(i.e.ofthegreatestgood).

c) Whatnewspecificmotiveemergesforyounow,outoftheprogressofcivilization,ormoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfection,asthemoralprinciplemostappropriatetoyourperceptpicture?

d) Turnagaintothementalpictureyouformedinthelaststep.Howmightyoufurtherrefineorelaboratethementalpictureofyouralternativeactionbasedonyournewspecificmotive?

4) TheRealizationofIndividualMoralAimsGraspedbyPureIntuitiona) Letallexternalmoralprinciplesfallaway.Onelasttime,bringthesituation–justpriortoyouraction-

beforeyououtofyourmemorywithasmuchdetailandclarityaspossible.b) Whatwastheprinciple(orwhatweretheprinciples)atworkwithinthisperceptpicture,towhich–if

thesituationwasnowunfoldinginthepresent–youwouldliketogiveanewdirection?c) Fromyourindividualperspective,whatspecificmoralconceptwouldhaveexpressedthenewdirection

mostappropriatetothatsituation?d) Hadyouadoptedthismoralconceptasyourmotive,whatdifferentalternativeactionmightyouhave

taken?

5) Observetheprogressofyourthinkingfromsteps2to3to4.Whattransitions,developmentsdoyousee?

6) Attendnowtothefeelingswhichariseinyouinresponsetoyourworkwiththeexercise.Whatareyoufeeling?

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FreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseC)FreedomCallisthenicsExerciseC)wasinspiredbythefollowingquotesfromthePhilosophyofFreedom:

QuotefromChapter9TheIdeaofFreedom,page132

“Ifamanholdstotheprincipleofthegeneralgood,hewillinallhisactions,firstaskwhathisidealswillcontributetothisgeneralgood.Ifamanupholdstheprincipleoftheprogressofcivilization,hewillactsimilarly.Butthereisastillhigherwaywhichdoesnotstartfromoneandthesameparticularmoralaimineachcase,butseesacertainvalueinallmoralprinciplesandalwaysaskswhetherinthegivencasethisorthatprincipleisthemoreimportant.Itmayhappenthatinsomecircumstancesamanconsiderstherightaimtobetheprogressofcivilization,inothersthepromotionofhisownwelfare,andineachcasemakesthatthemotiveofhisaction.Butifnoothergroundfordecisionclaimsmorethansecondplace,thenconceptualintuitionitselfcomesfirstandforemostintoconsideration.Allothermotivesnowgiveway,andtheideabehindanactionalonebecomesitsmotive.”

QuotefromChapter12MoralImagination,pages163–164“Manproducesconcretementalpicturesfromthesumofhisideaschieflybymeansoftheimagination.Thereforewhatthefreespiritneedsinordertorealizehisideas,inordertobeeffective,ismoralimagination.Thisisthesourceofthefreespirit’saction…Moralimagination,inordertorealizeitsmentalpicture,mustsettoworkinadefinitesphereofpercepts.Humanactiondoesnotcreatepercepts,buttransformsalreadyexistingperceptsandgivesthemanewform.Inordertobeabletotransformadefiniteobjectofperception,orasumofsuchobjects,inaccordancewithamentalpicture,onemusthavegraspedtheprincipleatworkwithintheperceptpicture,thatis,thewayithashithertoworked,towhichonewantstogiveanewformordirection.Further,itisnecessarytodiscovertheprocedurebywhichitispossibletochangethegivenprincipleintoanewone.Thispartofeffectivemoralactivitydependsonknowledgeoftheparticularworldofphenomenawithwhichoneisconcerned…”

QuotefromChapter12MoralImagination,pages164–165“Moralaction,therefore,presupposes,inadditiontothefacultyofhavingmoralideas(moralintuition)andmoralimagination,theabilitytotransformtheworldofperceptswithoutviolatingthenaturallawsbywhichtheseareconnected.Thisabilityismoraltechnique.Itcanbelearntinthesamesenseinwhichanykindofknowledgecanbelearnt.Generally,speaking,menarebetterabletofindconceptsfortheexistingworldthantoevolveproductively,outoftheirimagination,thenot-yet-existingactionsofthefuture.Henceitisperfectlypossibleformenwithoutmoralimaginationtoreceivewsuchmentalpicturesfromothers,andtoembodythemskilfullyintotheworld.Conversely,itmayhappenthatmenwithmoralimaginationlacktechnicalskill,andmustmakeuseofothermenfortherealizationoftheirmentalpictures.”

IndividualFreedomCallisthenics,ExerciseC):PracticingtheArtofFreedom

1) Consideranactofwillwhichyouanticipateperforming.Itcouldbeaverysimpletask,likedoingthedishes.Oritcouldbeamorecomplexaction,affectingoneormorepeople,involvingaweboffeelingsandpresentingarangeofpotentiallysensitiveoutcomes,positiveandnegative.

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2) Thegreatestgoodofmankindpurelyforitsownsakea) Bringbeforeyoutheperceptpictureofthecircumstancesencompassingyourapproachingactofwill,

withasmuchdetailandclarityaspossible.b) Reflectnowuponthemotive“thegreatestgoodofmankindpurelyforitsownsake”.Enterintothe

beingofthisidea,exploringitsnature,feelingitsessence.c) Takingthisideaasyourcomprehensivemotive,whatspecificmotiveemergesforyouasappropriateto

theperceptpictureyouhavebuilt?(Keepinmind,thegreatestgoodinthiscasewillapplytothehumanbeingorhumanbeingsconnectedwiththespecificsituation.)

d) Whatmentalpictureemergesforyounowasanactionyoumighttake?

3) Theprogressofcivilization,ormoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfectiona) Onceagain,bringbeforeyouthecircumstancesencompassingyourapproachingactofwill.b) Reflectagainuponthegreatestgoodformankind.Experienceinyourthinkinghowtheideaofthe

progressofcivilization,ormoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfectionrefinesoutoftheideaofthegreatestgood.

c) Livingwiththisrefininggestureasanideal,whatspecificmotiveemergesforyououtoftheprogressofcivilizationormoralevolutionofmankind,inrelationtotheperceptpictureyouhavebuilt?

d) Turnagaintothementalpictureyouformedinthelaststep.Howmightyoufurtherrefineorelaboratethementalpictureofyouralternativeactionifyourmotivationnowwastoservetheprogressofcivilization,ormoralevolutionofmankindtowardsevergreaterperfection?

4) TheRealizationofIndividualMoralAimsGraspedbyPureIntuitiona) Letallexternalmoralprinciplesfallaway.Onelasttime,bringbeforeyouthecircumstances

encompassingyourapproachingactofwill,withasmuchdetailandclarityaspossible.b) Whatistheprinciple(orwhataretheprinciples)atworkwithinthisperceptpicture,towhichyou

wouldliketogiveanewdirection?c) Fromyourindividualperspective,whatmoralconceptexpressesthenewdirectionmostappropriateto

thesituation?d) Adoptingthismoralconceptasyourmotive,whatmentalpictureofanactiontotakeemergesforyou?

Beasspecificaspossible.

5. ActandReflectuponyouractiona) Actinaccordancewiththemotiveyoudevelopedinthelaststep,i.e.therealizationofindividual

moralaims,graspedbypureintuition.b) Towhatextentinpracticewereyousuccessfulinunfoldingyourmoralmentalpictureintheworld?c) Whatwastheoutcomeofyouraction?d) Whathaveyoulearned?