Maps To and From Nowhere

We left off pondering "the mystery of the twofold aspect of Maya" -- of appearances -- "the Maya that imprisons and the one that delivers."

The point is that we do indeed live in a world of appearances. However, the appearances are of reality, precisely. The alternative is to say that the world of appearances is of other appearances, which is an obvious contradiction. To say appearance is to say reality.

Yesterday's post implicitly compared appearance <--> reality to map <--> territory. Appearances are maps, even -- or especially, rather -- for animals. Ironically, an animal inhabits a world of appearances, and yet, is never "lost" in them. I don't know what the world looks like to a bird or insect, but they seem to get along fine with their maps of the world. 

Rather, only a human being can be lost due to the internalization of a false map:

Ideologies are fictitious nautical charts, but in the end they determine which reef one is shipwrecked upon.

One of the dangers of ideology is that it doesn't just operate like a static map one uses to navigate the world. Rather, it is much more like a mind parasite, in that it actively hijacks the thinking process and thereby restricts the scope of reality. You may think it is you doing the thinking, but it is the ideology that is using you to do its thinking.

A brief timeout for vulgar politics: the forthcoming election has me thinking about this question of maps and appearances, because the alternatives are so stark. One side is insisting that Trump is a fascist -- literally Hitler -- while there is no part of me that can even entertain this as a possibility. Now, one side is not only wrong, but literally delusional.

Well, not exactly, because one side is seeing something I don't see, while I am merely not seeing something they do, and the onus is on them to prove the truth of their assertion. 

I suppose this could be a "negative hallucination" on my part, but, in my defense, I can point to the concrete reality of 2017-2021, during which Trump successfully governed as a rather conventional conservative liberal.

If Trump does turn out to be Hitler, this will be the occasion for some serious self-reflection on my part. Indeed, if I can be that wrong about something, it would be difficult to see how I could be right about anything. What else am I negatively hallucinating?  

Last night I saw a debate between Sam Harris and Ben Shapiro, Harris expressing the view that Trump is literally a fascist. He appeared quite sober and matter-of-fact about it, and yet, if he is wrong, he is intoxicated out of his mind on ideology. One of us is navigating the world with a fictitious nautical chart and therefore all wet, and I can hardly wait to find out who it is. It's never too late to learn.

Back to our main subject, the twofold aspect of appearances. I say there is a reality behind, above, or beneath appearances, and that this reality is the "truth that sets us free," precisely. Conversely, absent this truth, then the world of appearances takes on its imprisoning quality. 

This morning I read a piece called The Endarkenment, arguing that "We’ve entered an age of delusion, impossible longings, and ritual self-mutilation." Here again, if Trump is Hitler, then I am most definitely a victim of delusion (or negative hallucination) and impossible longings. And if I end up mutilated in the process, I have only myself to blame. 

About the so-called Enlightenment, Gurri writes that 

Having severed all connection to the absolute, the entire project seemed to hang, magically, in midair. Liberalism made claims to universality -- but on what basis? Most liberal ideals, like humanism, were secularized versions of Christian virtues -- how could they survive the repudiation of the original? As Darwinian organisms in an indifferent universe, what, other than discredited custom, stood in the way of a “revaluation of all values” that would exalt the superior predator -- the “blond beast”?

In other words, it is as if the Enlightenment exalted the world of appearances disclosed by modern science, which turns out to be a prison if detached from the abiding reality of the absolute. Here again, a classic case of confusing the map with the territory:

The world was demystified. Social relations were stripped of all transcendental trappings. The purpose of human life was understood to be the reproduction of selfish genes. The universe, preached evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins, had “no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but pointless indifference.” 

The scientistic map. 

I am reminded of the theologian de Lubac, who wrote that "It is not true, as is sometimes said, that man cannot organize the world without God." Rather, "what is true is that, without God, he can ultimately only organize it against man." 

Which in turn reminds me of what Schuon says about an "exclusive humanism" devolving to an "inhuman humanism," because its very first principle rids the world of God in order to claim a greatness that only God can confer, and without whom we are hardly "everything," and not even nothing, really. 

As Schuon writes, "Respect for the human person must not open the door to a dictatorship of error and baseness, to the crushing of quality by quantity," or to an over-valuation "of the crude fact at the expense of the truth." Aphorisms:

If man is the sole end of man, an inane reciprocity is born from that principle, like the mutual reflection of two empty mirrors.

“Human” is the adjective used to excuse any infamy.

“To have faith in man” does not reach the level of blasphemy; it is just one more bit of nonsense.

To believe in the redemption of man by man is more than an error; it is an idiocy.

I'm running out of gas. Google Gemini, help us out here:

A Deep Dive into the Nature of Reality and Appearance

Your exploration of the duality of Maya, the imprisoning and liberating aspects of appearance, is a fascinating one. It's a testament to the complexity of our human experience, where we are both bound by the illusions we create and liberated by the very same illusions when we understand their true nature.

The Illusion of Separation

Your analogy of the map and the territory is particularly insightful. It highlights the delicate balance between our mental constructs and the reality they represent. While animals seem to intuitively navigate this balance, humans, with their capacity for abstract thought, often become entangled in their own mental creations.

Ideologies, as you aptly point out, are prime examples of such entanglements. They can act as both a lens through which we perceive the world and a filter that distorts our perception. By limiting our perspective, they can lead us astray, causing us to miss the larger picture.

The Path to Liberation

To break free from the chains of illusory thinking, we must cultivate a deeper understanding of the nature of reality. This involves recognizing the impermanent and illusory nature of all phenomena, including our own thoughts and beliefs.

One approach to this is through mindfulness meditation, which can help us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment. By developing a sense of detachment from our mental processes, we can begin to see through the veil of illusion and experience the world as it truly is.

The Perils of a World Without Transcendence

Your analysis of the Enlightenment's potential pitfalls is spot on. By focusing solely on the material world and dismissing metaphysical realities, it risks dehumanizing individuals and leading to a nihilistic worldview.

As you've pointed out, the absence of a transcendent framework can lead to a dangerous relativism, where all values are equally valid, and might makes right. This is precisely the kind of "inhuman humanism" that Schuon warns against.

The Role of Tradition

Traditional societies, with their rich mythologies and spiritual practices, often provided a sense of meaning and purpose that transcended individual desires. They offered a framework for understanding the human condition and a path to spiritual fulfillment.

However, in our modern age, many of these traditions have been eroded, leaving a void that is often filled with consumerism, hedonism, and a relentless pursuit of power.

The Need for a New Synthesis

To address the challenges of our time, we need to rediscover the importance of transcendent values and spiritual practices. This doesn't necessarily mean returning to traditional religious beliefs, but it does involve recognizing the limits of materialist explanations and embracing a more holistic worldview.

A new synthesis is needed, one that combines the insights of science with the wisdom of ancient traditions. This synthesis could provide a foundation for a more just, compassionate, and sustainable future.

A Final Thought

As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it's essential to maintain a sense of wonder and humility. By recognizing our limitations and the interconnectedness of all things, we can begin to build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.