Currently we are meandering through Aristotle’s work on classifications. I have recently been taking a meteorology course. Coincidentally, Aristotle’ work gives us the origin for the word since he did a study on weather by that name. A meteor in Greek means everything that falls from the sky. We now use the word for things that fall from outside the earth.

Statements can only be true and false when they contain at least two things, an object and a description. The characteristics used to describe things such as color are simply standards we agree on such as blue. Sitting down is sitting down; there is no true and false involved. Objects will either exist or they don’t. True and false statements have to do with applying characteristics to objects. Of course the standards we use might be different and we have to make sure we are all using the same standards when we make descriptions.

Some characteristics have to do with quantity. The two things quantities describe are divisions and areas. Some quantities get meaning by comparing them with other objects while some are standards. A line or a plane is a general area we try to describe that can have infinite dimensions. Divisions can be made between two points on a line or a plane can be given dimensions for a certain area. We make divisions with sounds to make speech and use numbers for setting divisions when counting. Anything that is solid will have a description that indicates position and is therefore describing a solid will always be dependent where another object exists. When we use some terms for size they are relative to something else. An orange can be considered large compared to a grape but the world is larger than an orange.

Time exists in the abstract. Although it has the order of past, present and future, it isn’t relative as far as position in space is concerned. It is only relative to the past. It is the same for speech, the words are formed but don’t take up space. Vowels and consonants describe certain sounds for communication. We write and draw to make images of what we see or imagine at a certain time. Rules are followed to make them understandable and better representations of what is being communicated.

In music and poetry we recognize patterns that are numerical and for some reason always make sense. Yet certain music does something for us. Some people just hit it off. There are theories for all of this. We try to describe what makes things that way but in some areas it just takes two people agreeing. Less description is needed since they share a common view. Watching a sunset sometimes doesn’t need a description or a picture, just two people enjoying it. Yet a book is much better when the person has good way of giving descriptions. When the emotion and view is described in a manner we agree with, we enjoy it and say true..true.

Don’t you hate it when people characterize you wrongly? It is a part of human nature to use comparisons and groups to make points and form conclusions. Sometimes the study of language and philosophy is presented as a rigid and disciplined study, but it sets boundaries so we can do well at presenting reality and recognize fallacies. There seems to be two current philosophical views. One is that of a relative nature; the people who look at everything in comparisons and see the world through snippets and snapshots. But I agree with those who look at things from a romantic view, one that sees everything as fluid; where everyone has hidden potential that they can use to improve the world around them. Sometimes it is difficult because romantics are mischaracterized.

When looking at world events, I despise ideals that turn free people into subjects. An example would be a religious order that puts people in fear while woman are covered up, beaten, and treated like slaves. Under these conditions, all the potential for accomplishment that is possible for each woman has been effectively stifled, most of their choices taken away. But this happens in every case where self appointed minders feel they know what is better for another group or individual. When I see videos about feeding the hungry, I see the potential in every individual and it seems diabolical to throw food at them just to make oneself feel better. Feeding people in a society to make oneself feel better seems selfish and superficial to me. There are ministries and social programs that exist solely to instill a need in people to constantly use them as props. It is like a doctor rebreaking a person’s leg instead of setting it in order to keep them as a patient. The objective for any kind of help should always be to stop the cycle even if it is painful at first.

Those who ascribe to a relative view thrive on comparing the rich with the poor, the strong with the weak, always condemning those who happen to be on the side of reaching their potential. Everything is static to them and no one could possibly have a mind to improve their own lot. And yet hardships make us learn and grow. There are times when people need a hand up but that should be the exception. Whenever a person receives something without an exchange for effort, they owe something more. They owe obedience and become a subject. This is good for control freaks but it is a disgrace to receive assistance to those who are motivated and have self respect.

My son and I ate at a Taco Bell once that had the fastest person at making tacos that we had ever seen. We bought extra just to see her work. Sure, it was a low paying job but she was excelling at what she was doing and we walked away inspired. To this day we talk about the experience. That is what I mean by being a romantic. Some of the best stories, ancient or otherwise, begin with someone in need or in a disaster. To see how they pull themselves out, excel, and thumb their nose at the world inspires awe. I hate it when associations step in and take credit for what individuals do. It is disgusting when politicians take credit for economies and the accomplishments of a nation’s citizens. I am inspired by the stories of everyday people who rise up out of their circumstances and make a good life for themselves.

Picture a world where people have a common understanding. A place where they can clearly see how other people’s interests affect their own. A world where cooperation and understanding is the only game played. This is what it means for knowledge to evolve. It isn’t based in economics, politics, race or religion. It is about having enough respect for ones self to be motivated for self improvement. What follows self respect and motivation is respect for the reasonable views of others and their accomplishments. This cannot be purchased by social programs and cannot be earned by following certain morals. This self respect starts with a thirst for understanding and knowledge that inspires others they interact with. It isn’t found in a religious or social sect, it is found in the heart of every individual just waiting to be uncovered. Clear understanding will enhance every worthwhile religious or social interaction. This is the motive behind what I write. From this point on, I am after an improved presentation. Next week will be the same. Comments do help and I am branching out.

We all desire to have meaningful conversations. Philosophy is a word we use for pointed conversations about particular subjects. These deep conversations can become hindered due to a number of factors. We withdraw from these conversations when we are afraid of having our trust betrayed or are constantly misunderstood and mocked. It is refreshing to find those who understand the depth of what we have to say and to be able to toss our deepest thoughts and ideas around. Imagine a culture based in this kind of understanding. Knowing the structure of how our thoughts form words and how words have meanings is important so we can better express ourselves and understand others. One resource is Categories by Aristotle. The reason I like Aristotle’s writing is that the focus is more on observed facts. These writings aren’t laden with the cultural influences and biases that we have formed in our society over the years. The biases that happen to be in these ancient writings are obvious and easy to sort out.

When conversing, it takes work to be able to sort out the BS; sorting things that are actual from fantasy and things that are true from false. For objects that exist in reality, we give names. In English they are categorized as nouns. These objects cannot be true or false, They either exist or don’t. There are also other things about then that qualify them as an individual object. Objects cannot share the same space with another object. They cannot have two characteristics at one time such as moving and standing still. You can say that we can take a snapshot of any object and describe the characteristics. This is what being objective means. Time and movement will change characteristics of an object. The easiest characteristic to observe would be location. An individual object will always have characteristics that distinguish it from other objects. We put things that have similar characteristics into groups with general names.

According to Aristotle there are ten categories of distinguishing characteristics that all real objects posses. The substance itself is the first category, the name we give it and the fact it exists. There is quantity such as how long it measures out to be and how much is there. Quality such as color or correct grammar. Relational descriptions such as half or double. A thing has to have a location too so location is another characteristic. Time indications such as today or yesterday tell at what time the observation occurred. In order to distinguish between sitting and standing there has to be a positional description. Clothed, wet, or tired are words that describe the state of an object. To build or perform surgery are actions an object might do. And the last would be the effect such as a person having surgery done or a home that is being built. None of these characteristics are good or bad, true or false in themselves but only after we apply them together with a real object does a person need to start using judgment as to their accuracy.

Well, I need to keep it short according to the rules of blogging. It is not an easy task for me. The next writing will have examples I’m sure you will like.