Subj : Re: Extent of the Torah
To   : John Wilson
From : Joshua Lee
Date : Tue Oct 24 2000 02:37 pm

-=> John Wilson wrote to Joseph Voigt <=-

 JW>  My opinion (veering onto belief) is that

 JW>  1. The universe is alive.

 JW>  2. It's Purpose is to understand itself.

Interestingly, Maimonidies said that "He is the Knower, the Known,
and the Knowledge itself - all are one."

In your framework:

1) The universe is "alive" (actually, we cannot speak of God this
   way in the Maimonidian framework.)

and

2) It already knows itself; in fact, this is why it exists.

This, however, is difficult to understand....

 JW>  3. All knowledge (of anything) is a part of that process.

 JW>  4. Which is justification enough for man's existance.

Knowledge is a good thing, but there are limits. Some questions,
and answers, lead towards confusion; though most do not. This
is because if man could know everything, he wouldn't be able
to have free will. This is due to a conflict with God's
Knowledge, and God's Will, as it were.

 JW>  5. There is more. Mankind is asleep, and awakening is possible.
 JW>  (Gurdjieffian stuff...I'm still learning about this...)

I think I can agree with that, in a broad sense; but I think that
man's "purpose" is more than only knowledge; it is also
righteousness.

 JW>  6. (On Gods, yer fave subject :-)   )  :

 JW>  The Ultimate irony: we are Gods, and know it not.

That seems to me to be arrogance, or self-delusion.

 JW>  Well. Anything so far worthy of your scorn? :-)

No scorn intended. :-)

 JW> Cheers

Raises Dr Pepper bottle in salute.

                       JBL

.... What is mind? No matter! What is matter? Never mind! - Homer S.
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