knowledge and power

10-07-1999, 01:44 PM

Looking at the nature of knowledge, and conflicts about "knowledges"

Power is knowledge, and those who define what knowledge is
are those who have power. The ultimate, true, and final power
is "whatever it is" that defines the first concept (the origin of
knowledge). This "whatever it is" "plants the
Tree of Knowledge in the Garden" (not necessarily a nonsexual
activity).

Trying to turn conceptualization around to define "whatever it is",
won't work. This has been termed "like an eye trying to see itself"

Why is it worth discussing this? For one reason, to see what is involved in
knowledge of reality. Secondly, and related, is to be able to see through
claims for knowledge of reality which are simply conceptualizations of truth.

Concepts tend to become reality as humans orient perception and behavior
around concepts.

We orient toward concepts because they are defined.
Opening to "whatever it is", is turning toward the indefinite and undefinable.
Because we have oriented selves around the definable, we develop
positive emotions toward certain defined realities and states,
and we develop aversive feelings toward the undefinable and uncontrollable.

Why is it worth opening toward that which defines the first concept?
Simply because this is freedom, unboundedness, the origin and end (beyond
beginning or termination), and unpeakable, unthinkable truth and reality.

Why is this "whatever it is" not simply "true, present awareness" for each
and all? Only because concepts, conditioning, and association of reality
with definable states and entities are the basis for truth as we know it
(also experience it, and transmit it through individual, group, and
cultural norms). Once there is an established way for defining truth as we
know it, those who have the power for such definition tend to perpetuate
and guard their power through the establishment of social institutions that
transmit knowledge.

Different cultures establish different institutions, and these tend to
conflict. The more dominant culture, the more powerful culture, is assumed
(and assumes itself) to have knowledge of reality evidenced by its power.
Hence the association of scientific technology with knowledge of reality,
yet note the association of religious and magical technology with knowledge
of reality in other cultures, yet for similar reasons. Note how military
and police force aligns around the dominant technology of each culture.

Established cultural forms of knowledge inevitably interfere with movement
toward the Origin, which movement ends their (perceived) power.

"Knowledge of the world" fights, but ultimately gives way to "knowledge of
truth". Interestingly, the story of Jesus shows not only how the world
resists the truth that is greater than itself, but how the world attempts
to co-opt that truth and disempower it by formulating organizations that
invent worldly authorities to regulate "transcendent" truth. This same
pattern of reliance on authorities to regulate truth is inevitably found
whenever human beings organize a means to a knowledge, define particular
persons as possessors of that knowledge, and regulate access to that
knowledge. To see this is to see the distinction between spiritual wisdom
and the technology of celibacy, or between awareness and the technology of
physics or computer science , or between recognition and the technology of
teaching.