Paradigm Shifts
Before we approach the details of axiological science which involves a major paradigm shift, we need to reflect on what it means to us to make such a paradigm shift.
What is a paradigm? A paradigm is the exemplary model for truth and knowledge. Paradigms are the pre-logical foundations of legitimate knowledge. A paradigm contains all our basic assumptions for truth and knowledge. So, you say we need to experience a paradigm shift to understand axiology? Yes, indeed, if the shift is not made, you will probably not open up your receptivity to understand axiology.
In the past, during the Middle Ages, we had a mono-polar paradigm based on the infallible pronouncements of the Pope and the Church. There was no questioning the Pope’s authority. He said so and so, and that was the end of the matter. This was a monarchist kind of rule, and many monarchs/dictators have the same authority paradigm - enforced with power.
This more or less collapsed in the western world on the emergence of analytical reason with the discoveries and writings of Galileo and Copernicus. Rene Descartes (the 16th century philosopher/mathematician who created analytic geometry) brought this bi-polar model to near universal acceptance with the mind / body dualism. These dualistic models are widespread today with all kinds of opposites such as: light-dark; hot-cold; rich-poor; good-bad; friendly-hostile; industrious-lazy; men are from Mars – women are from Venus, etc.
OK, so you say you want to grow your branches higher, become more successful, more fulfilled. Are you really serious? Are you willing to work hard to grow these branches? If so, you will also have to grow your roots deeper to support the new height and weight of the expanded growth – otherwise it will topple over. Axiology has a formal, logical foundation that allows your roots to grow very deep. Axiology is easy to understand if you allow the determination to well up in you to grasp it. You have to be determined to send your roots deeper, against all obstacles - the rocks and debris that may be in your way.
Why would you do this? You will be different – you will lose many familiar parts of your former self. Many people are afraid of letting go of the familiar, most of us don’t like change – even positive change causes stress. There is no reason for this fear – the only person you are going to meet on this new journey is your own self. There is every reason to be enthusiastic and joyous about it – embrace it for it is the real you, your deeper authentic Self.
Axiology makes a paradigm shift from two to three dimensions of value. Think about this - reflect on it. What does this mean?
What this means is that an additional dimension has been added to the common two dimensions that we are all familiar with. This dimension is the continuum and it is finally recognized and accepted as a third source of truth and knowledge. Of course, it is not just the continuum per se, as a factual phenomenon, but the continuum with the definite structure of axiology. The object is no longer merely out in front of you, absolutely separated from you as an external “thing” - not a part of you in any sense. With Axiology, you can and will merge with the object in the continuum – and this merger can be done in stages (also defined within the axiological framework).
This brings us to the core of this paradigm shift: a formal structure of the continuum. This discussion is unprecedented in history. There has never been a science of value with the authority and legitimation of logic and mathematics that allows us to calculate preferences and choices. The logic structure of the continuum begins with a very rich infinity – not just linear, as in an open-ended pattern of successive numbers, but in every direction. In contemporary mathematics, we have a discipline that deals with the size of infinities and has rules for calculating choice functions within various size infinities. It is called transfinite mathematics. It is a special sector within “axiomatic set theory.”
This large infinity, labeled ALEPH 1 (À1) captures the systemic nature of the continuum, and it contains everything from loving your spouse, children and friends to your devotion to God. The large infinity has two main subsets. The first subset walled off from the universal, eternal continuum is tangible, material things. We can focus on and isolate a thing that we can see, feel and touch. That isolated or compartmentalized focus also has a structure within the À1. It is designated as a lesser infinity, designated ALEPH 0 (À0), a finite, definite cognitive identifier at the front end of an open-ended set that has an indefinite “non-ending.” This formal structure contains all stationary things and moving things such as projects, processes, actions, appearances, improvements, etc. The movement itself belongs to the larger, universal continuum, but the things in motion belong to the smaller infinity.
There is another subset of the smaller, material infinity: the least number of properties for precision and identification. This systemic set is not infinite in any sense, but a definite concept closed on both ends. This is for efficiency of meaning-identify for systematizing and definite ordering of the world we live in – so that we can successfully cope with our world. This is the area of thinking, planning, accumulated past knowledge, social order through the law, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
Axiology takes advantage of these deep structures or dimensions of reality. We have À1 as the structure of intrinsic value with singularity and uniqueness. Within the broad scope of intrinsic value, we also have À0, the structure of extrinsic value with all the comparisons and differences among various things, processes and actions. Finally we have the knowledge and thinking area, designated by “n,” a definite number of properties called systemic value, the minimum number possible for speed and efficiency of language and communications.
A common way to understand these three dimensions of reality is:
* Spiritual (intrinsic value)
* Material (extrinsic value),
* Rational (systemic value).