Daniel Mark Bryant - Paradoxic Paradigm: An exercise in thought

Daniel Mark Bryant

Paradoxic Paradigm

An exercise in thought

This book is dedicated to my wife, Peggy Bryant

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG
80331 Munich

This is it

Paradoxic Paradigm

By: Daniel Mark Bryant

Introduction:

Paradoxic Paradigm is a book in concept that was born in my heart a number of years ago, on which I have worked to put into intelligible form. It is a journey in thought, an examination into what makes us think and act the way we do. Let me say from the start that I do not claim that the thoughts and ideas here expressed are totally my own. There are numerous authors more qualified than me who have expressed similar thoughts using different terminology in various publications. My only hope is that in my efforts here, in my method of expression, I can capture some readers attention in such a way as to make them desire to examine their own journey of thought.

Lets look at what I mean by the title, Paradoxic Paradigm:

Paradox: A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd, but in reality, expresses a possible truth. Any person, thing, or situation, exhibiting an apparently self contradicting nature.

Paradigm: An example that serves as a pattern or model. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.

So, consequently, although I am not aware of these two terms being merged in the sense I am using, a plausible definition of Paradoxic Paradigm could be: Any set of assumptions constituting a way of interpreting reality that seem self contradictory, but which could express a possible truth.

How do you interpret life? That is one of the most basic and fundamental questions that all of us need to ask ourselves. Everyone of us has some basic ideas about what life means, and we all have some ideas about right and wrong. There is no such thing as value free anything. To speak of value free education is nonsense. Everyone involved in the education process has some set of beliefs or ideas about what is morally right and what is morally wrong, whether those beliefs or ideas agree with their peers or not. To say that those values do not exist is not true. For example, many school systems have implemented a No bullying policy. In essence, this is a statement that bullying is wrong and shouldn't be practiced, thus implying a value, or an assumption of morality.

If someone stole your wallet, what aspect of that act would anger you? Would it be because you have been inconvenienced? You will have to replace your driver's license, credit cards, etc., or is it because something inside you says that stealing is morally wrong? Maybe some of the former, but I suspect, more of the latter. Beliefs such as these constitute our life paradigm. This paradigm is how we interpret reality. Some people may say that they do not have a life paradigm, they are just along for the ride. While this sounds good on the surface, it can't be true. We all have reasons for the things we say and do, whether we acknowledge them or not. Let me give you an example. When my alarm clock goes off in the morning, I get up, and get ready to go to work. Why? Is it just because some other people I know are going to show up where I work, and I am just going along for the ride? I don't think so. I get out of bed with a basic set of assumptions that go something like this: If I go to work, I get paid. If I get paid, and use that money to pay my bills, I won't have my house and my car repossessed, my power, gas, phone, tv service and water turned off, etc. That is my "work paradigm". I am not just "going along for the ride". Sure, there are other factors of the work paradigm, such as personal fulfillment in the type of work we do, (for some people), but you get the picture. There is a reason for what I am doing. We all operate under some paradigm, whether we recognize and acknowledge it or not.

Along these same lines it must be understood that we all operate with a basic set of assumptions. We all have things that we take for granted. That is not to say that these assumptions can not changed. They certainly can, and should as we mature. Many of the things you thought you understood as a child are proven wrong, or you gain a better understanding of them as you mature. (Or at least you should!) In mathematical terminology these givens are known as constants. An algebraic equation cannot be solved without constants. You cannot have an equation consisting of purely variables, or it can never be solved. The best you can do is propose lots of theoretical possibilities, based on what the variables might be. You cannot prove anything without the constants. Constants, beliefs, assumptions, whatever terminology you choose to use, are where our paradigms begin. Every story, every theory, every philosophy, every set of religious beliefs, has to have a beginning. Every story has to have an implied Once upon a time.

It can also be said that our paradigm is our life's framework. It is what holds us together, and gives us a measure of stability. There are many aspects to this paradigm. The first aspect is how we interpret things on a personal level. Why am I the way I am? Who am I? Why am I here? How do I interpret things that happen to me, or what I experience? Another aspect of that paradigm is how we interpret other people, and our interactions with them. Then, how do we interpret the world we live in, and the cosmos as we understand it? Another way of stating this, is that our beliefs form our paradigms. Let's not get hung up on the use of the word beliefs. By beliefs, I simply mean those things we take for granted. Some people make the statement, I don't believe anything. This can never really be true. The reason that people make this kind of statement is that we have come to associate belief in the purely religious sense. But at the core of everyone's interpretation of reality, however they chose to define it, is a set of beliefs in, or about something or someone.

Another word that is often used in our vernacular as a synonym for paradigm is mind-set, although, technically this is a misuse of the word. Mind-set is not so much your grid through which you interpret reality, as is paradigm. Mind-set, properly used has more to do with your attitude, disposition, or mood. It can also be used to identify your intention, or inclination. Granted, your mind-set can be influenced by your life paradigm, and vise-versa, but they should be recognized as two distinct things for the sake of my assertions here. Having said that, it may be noted that your mind-set is probably more easily changed than your paradigm.

The term worldview is also used in similar fashion. It should be noted that our worldview is included in our life paradigm, but our life paradigm is broader than the portion of it that constitutes our worldview. Our worldview is how we interpret history and politics.

Stop and think for a moment. What are the things you take for granted? What are your constants? What are your assumptions? What are you assuming right now about where I am going with all this? (Don't cheat and jump ahead!) Why are you making those assumptions, if indeed you are? Where does your life's story begin? Where will it end?

I would like to ask you to stop reading at this point, and conduct a thought experiment. Take out a sheet of paper and a writing utensil. Write down ten things that you believe to be true. If possible, write them in their order of importance to you personally. Then, beside or under each one, write out WHY you believe those ten things are true. Then come back to reading here. Keep your paper in a safe place for later.