(start of quote) I begin from the presumption that "ultimate truths" are
unknowable and that "understanding" is through compassionate direct
knowledge, subjective in nature. (end of quote)
You remind me of the current cliche about "In God we trust, all others
bring data". Many technocrats would rely on data alone to pursue
organizational successes in business. Good. But beyond business,
regarding learning in general...
On a universal level, thinking about humankind in general, I don't agree
with you about ultimate truth being "unknowable". In fact, it's that verb
"to know" which may be the root of my problem. Paradoxically, your very
next sentence contains for me the key to an understanding. You type the
words "compassionate direct knowledge". Think about it. Compassion is
about as definable in essence as the concept "city". But many of us
"know" this compassion. I believe in my heart that there is a Truth to
compassion, though, which all humanity shares.
"Listen" to this:
LOVE DOGS by Rumi (translated by C. Barks)
One night a man was crying,
Allah! Allah!
His lips grew sweet with the praising,
until a cynic said,
"So! I have heard you
calling out, but have you ever
gotten a response?"
The man had no answer to that.
He quit praying and fell into a confused sleep.
He dreamed he saw Khidr, the guide of souls,
in a thick green foliage.
"Why did you stop praising?"
"Because I've never heard anything back."
"This longing IS the return message."
The grief you cry out from
draws you toward union.
Your pure sadness
that wants help
is the secret cup.
Listen to the moan of a dog for its master.
That whining is the connection.
There are love dogs
no one knows the name of.
Give your life
to be one of them.
-- Barry Mallis bmallis@markem.com Total Quality Resource Manager MARKEM Corporation Keene, NH, U.S.A.Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>