Edge of knowledge

November 12, 2018

Greetings from the acolyte,

Before you get too bogged down, let me explain that what follows is primarily about my dog Max, and through his existence, my evolution as a human being.

On a many occasions I have heard people explain the origin of the universe.  In my formative years this was usually from Genesis.  Since then I have heard creation stories from Native Americans on the plains, from South African mythology, from the early Greeks, and of course from scientists who postulate on the Big Bang.

All of these, in their way, make an attempt to answer the same questions the human race has posed since we could form cohesive thoughts beyond survival.  Why are we here?  Where did we come from?  What is our future?

Well, scientific theory does not propose to answer the question of our purpose; only to hypothesis and test and review, in the inexorable search for the truth.  And then we get to interpret that as humans, which adds another dimension.  It might be that more science is coming to debunk what we think we know, which happens regularly. 

The same is true with philosophy and religion, interpreters of our reality.  New thinking, new ideas, sometimes relevant to science, sometimes irrespective, is introduced and considered and either survives or it doesn’t.  Core beliefs don’t always change but the nuances of what we see as truth, or what guides us, are constantly being interpreted. 

So you know, this morning is not about getting the answer or settling a debate but asking the questions and paying attention to what is possible.

Last week I listened to a lecture by Jordan Peterson, a dense intellectual examination which just by that definition put it out of my realm of understanding.  But a of couple things stood out; one was this, a paraphrase: “I am going to teach from the edge of my knowledge, and see if in the exchange we can learn more.”  This struck me as beautiful.

Somewhere else in the presentation he described the origin of the universe.  It was his way of, eventually, leading into his discussion of the books of the bible.  This is an interesting intersection because throughout my life, even as recent as a few weeks ago, I hear people forming camps about their beliefs on the subject; that Creationism versus science discussion.  Occasionally I am asked to explain what team I’m on, as if that defines my status, and therefore how others might relate to me. 

Here’s a lesson in humility and in optimism.  Not everything will be known.  It’s not important that we understand everything.  It is not important that we adopt the beliefs of others or convert theirs to ours. What I think might be our role is to be open to the idea that we might all be right, or wrong.  The best possible future is in wondering and communicating and ‘teaching from the edge of our knowledge’.

We can formulate opinions, philosophies, life direction, with only an understanding of what is nearest to us.  If we are gracious animals, which I believe we are intended to be, we can also allow that other people, including people we love, will formulate some different perspectives.  The blade of truth is sharpened on the exchange of these differences.  To expand the metaphor, it is not a blade whose purpose is to impale others.

On occasion I will have a conversation with God during which I will express doubts or questions, which, so far, He has allowed, in that he does not smite me.  Or answer me.  I wonder if He still considering his answer, or if my wondering is his answer.  Sometimes I think this is His way of telling me to seek more.  It is also possible that this is how I am told that enough is enough.  Or, last on the list, no one is listening at this particular moment, please try again later.

A couple of days ago I advanced my somewhat disparaging opinion about the potential consciousness of dogs.  Particularly, their ability to dream, and then to take it further, the possibility they could dream about things they had never seen, perhaps places only their predecessors had seen.  I am willing to bet a cup of coffee you never have had this discussion in your kitchen.

The truth is I know almost nothing about dogs and their dreams, and even less about the possibility that consciousness can pass from one generation to the next.  It occurred to me this morning that the Monarch butterfly has more insight on this than I do.

My nature is to at least appear competent when confronted, and sometimes I will cling to the tiny bit of science or philosophy or religion that I have at my disposal to maintain my dignity.  But I am also willing to be an idiot, if everyone can keep their sense of humor about it.

This took me back to where I should be every day; wide open, not the pious expert.  Here I will quote my friend Tom Skaff who shared this advice for my son, but I’m pretty sure he’d be willing to expand the audience.  ‘Be humble.  Trust God.’

Recently I read something, I won’t remember it well enough, but this will serve:   Let me keep my distance from people who have all the answers.  I need to spend more time with those who see everything like it is the first time, with the awe that God put in us as children.

I want to be the person who looks at a dog as a mystery, one that I can understand only a fraction, and hope to be inspired to wonder and amazement.  And then take him out to pee.

Hope this finds you wide open,

David