Friday 26 October 2018

Examining the Rules ...

Since the stay in Tavira is extended, away from the library in Stanhope, since the hardback copy of Peterson's 12 Rules for Life is stimulating the mind, and since such books are not so easy to come by here, a re-reading is in order, this time examining more closely some of the author's propositions, to see if they fit the evolving delusion which is the world view of Wear and Dao ... and noting some resistance to two elements apparently paradoxical which want some investigation ... tricky, since limited academic intelligence is rather in awe of the author's command of many fields of knowledge ... nevertheless ...

Rule 1, citing the research on dominance hierarchies and deeply entrenched behaviours of humans, particularly the males of maybe all sentient species, suggests the importance of greeting the world with our shoulders back and projecting a confident image. Nothing wrong with that, though there is an assumption along the way that pecking orders, the success of the strongest, is immutable in humanity, the most ancient parts of the brain being hard-wired for aggression. .. wiring, however, as suggested by research appears to be an ongoing process, summed up in the pithy "what fires, wires", proposes that thoughts, speech and especially experience, create new neural pathways and thus literally change our brain ... not necessarily totally changing our mind, since it is not clear to what extent brain and mind interact, but anyway offering hope that progress is possible, despite the distressing ongoing wars and consequent suffering ... indeed data on violence quite clearly demonstrates its steady decline over time ... raising doubts over Peterson's rather pessimistic view ... which lurches from biological determinism to Biblical Mythology, with credence offered to creation myths from Genesis ... stories have power and maybe the world is only a collection of stories, but maybe also they may confuse the issue, since humans have this tendency to confuse the Word with the thing described ...

Rainy day starts with conversation with Diana, who works at the hostel, previous resident of England, born there of Portuguese parents, and offering helpful insights to the relationship between the two nationalities ... later, longer dialogue with Peter dives deep into fundamental questions, his perspective being from his career in the Dutch Civil Service at quite high level, belied by his holiday persona as hostel dweller and ardent photographer of flamingos and other bird life so abundant in the salt pans hereabouts. ...

Evening philosophy session continues over hostel supper, with Amelie, 24 year old teacher from Paris adding French, female and youth perspective ... coincidentally the actress in the charming film of that name, Audrey Tatou, came from the same small village near Clermont - Ferrand as our young philosopher ...

Later in Room 103, Franz arrives, disclosing at breakfast this morning that he is cycling from Lisbon to Munich, having previously covered the Nordcap to Lisbon stage ... not a bad way for a retired civil engineer to pass the time ....

At the flea market, Transition Town Tavira have a small stall, offering a few second hand items priced in the local currency, the Tav ... confusing a local Portuguese chap trying to buy a clock with his euros ... alternative currencies perhaps requiring a period of transition too? The project is run by settlers from Northern Europe, and engagement with longer term residents looking necessary ...

In another coincidence,  Federico, pictured in Wear and Dao on the walk from Guimarres to Amarante in November 2016, turns out to be a cousin of Ivan, roommate in 103 ... latest instagram pic shows swollen face due to drugs taken to treat an illness, but it's him alright ...

Meanwhile, at the penultimate visit to the dentist, Humberto, itinerant implatologist, turns out to be a philosopher ... referencing a Portuguese  scientist who proposes each cell of the body has its own consciousness and therefore intelligence and concluding that Descartes had it wrong when he said: I think, therefore I am ... more likely the exact opposite ... further research required!

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