Ordinary language philosophy
The idea is that I’m presenting philosophy in ordinary language such that everyone can understand. It is complex though. I need help to clarify the message such that it makes sense; that means an audience, I guess.
The key point is that we’ve reached the limit of the age of reason; what is missing is the compliment to reason which is rational insight, the same method behind revolutionary progress in science.
I plan to tell the story of science, and show how the same story parallels what’s happening in the western world; a limit to progress, with systemic problems that we haven’t solved.
In science, Einstein solved these problems, this led to a systemic evolution; the system evolved to become more complex, and could solve systemic problems and make progress in a way it previously could not. This is what is possible for the west as well; systemic evolution and a more complex systemic structure. We’re on the cusp of revolutionary progress, but we’re also on the cusp of repeating history’s same mistakes.
To prove this, I will identify the pattern of progress within science, achieve the same revolution within philosophy, put philosophy on a new foundation, such that philosophy can now help us better understand ourselves and our differences, and explain the process of revolutionary insight so that we can start making progress towards wisdom ourselves.
This is the means by which we can better know ourselves, to make the unconscious conscious, to escape our own paradigm of understanding, and start making progress towards becoming wise.
More importantly, though, it shows us what we have yet to achieve, it breaks the cycle of cynicism, the negative feedback loop we’re stuck in, and makes the future exciting again.
But another implication, is that anyone who grew up on the Internet has a better grasp of complexity than the older generations who did not. At present, the young are being stifled by established interests who are limiting progress, and institutions and an economic system that is long out of date; and anyone who struggled through complexity, who has suffered and perhaps been traumatised by it; they are primed, with actual lived experience of complexity, and having suffered through it, and are one step away from achieving that same progress themselves; a revolutionary shift in worldview.
They just need proof it is possible, to see a demo of what it is possible to achieve, and to know how they can achieve it themselves. That’s where the explanation of scientific history comes in; that’s a form of empirical proof to the same standards as science.
The key point is that we’re reached the end of the modernity; the age of reason. The intention of the lecture series is a form of historical intervention, and hopefully inspire us onto a brighter path. Yet, also usher in a new generation of leadership, and incentivise established interests to stop living for themselves and start supporting younger generations to achieve beyond what they have achieved; a unified common cause, so we can achieve progress together without any (further) violence.
If the message is delivered well, then who’s going to stand in the way of human progress?
I’ve got a PowerPoint presentation, in fact, it’s turned into a lecture series, and a selection of snappy talks. I’m going to start launching the talks. Then I’ll need help to tailor and market the main project, reach people, and run a fund raiser from it, in order to find the next phase.
The great thing about the internet age, is that whilst established philosophers need to be convinced, and need philosophy presented to their very rigorous standards, your generation though are keen to understand and hungry to make progress. There is a millennial generation, the best educated in history, and there own decentralised authorities in meaning, who can discern sophistry and truth when they see it. By presenting online, we shake the establishment out of their complacency, but at the same time, invite them to join the common cause.