Dave, if we look at life on this planet, although I don't always like it,
it appears that civilizations and biological evolution is in the direction
of more order in apparent contradiction to the 2nd Law. (See for example,
At Home in the Universe by Stuart Kauffman). How such a contradiction
come about?? Kauffman's answer is about our intrinsic capability to be at
the edge of chaos.
While not disagreeing with the edge of chaos notion, I have a perspective
which takes a deeper view. The second law is embodied in a scientific
approach and an objective reality catechism which believes that a closed
system is possible. If instead of a belief that consciousness derives
from brain function, one takes the viewpoint that the physical emerges
from the unmanifest ground (beyond time and space) of our souls relating
to each other, then a closed system is no longer so tenable. Could it be
that increasing the network connectivity between our souls by
unconditional acceptance would generate more order in the physical world
then, and explain the contradiction?
By accepting our own fallability (which are failures only as the judgments
of ours or other minds) we can open to our own truth, independent our
mental distinctions and preconceptions. Is this not one way to be in
contact with our soul? Is this not the direction in which Thomas Moore is
pointing?
-- Doug Seeley 100433.133@compuserve.com "Where and when is there a place where networks do not exist?"