Dear Readers,

Philosophy is like a seed. It grows as we nurture our relation to its ideas. Like a plant, we incorporate metaphorical fertiliser from the soil, water from the sky, light from the sun, and use them to develop our own views of how the world works, our own conceptions of the inconceivable. For those of us steeped in the act of understanding and transmitting philosophy (a blessed task), sometimes the intersection of two bodies of work invite one’s own reflection. Please enjoy both Dr. Mel Scult’s thoughts, and a bit of Emerson to inspire your own.

Thoughts after reading “The Over-Soul” by RW Emerson:

The tradition tells us that the rules for our behavior come from God. The commanding voice of authority in ethical matters is outside of us. However, in the Reconstructionist mode of thinking it is clear that right behavior begins within. We reject the  authoritarian way in favor of a more humanistic path. The humanistic mode looks to our sense of right and wrong which we call conscience and that means looking within.  

The person who looks within will find the truth. Those who look within and find only themselves operate on the lowest level. If they look within and find only their own pleasure and their own interests it is the lowest level. Those who look within and find the connections to others and to the world and the universe and act from a sense of responsibility to that unity, have found the divine. 

Fable

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel; 
And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’
Bun replied, 
‘You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together, 
To make up a year 
And a sphere. 
And I think it no disgrace 
To occupy my place. 
If I'm not so large as you, 
You are not so small as I, 
And not half so spry. 
I'll not deny you make 
A very pretty squirrel track; 
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; 
If I cannot carry forests on my back, 
Neither can you crack a nut.’