Togetherness

For more than a couple of centuries physicists and chemists were trying to derive saltiness from properties of natrium and/or of chlorine. And despite modern, state of the art, equipment and math - they have failed.

On every step, as we climb from quantum arena, we witness properties emerging from interplays of its parts. Properties (qualia) that cannot be derived from any particular part - like in left or right orientation of some carbohydrates. On every step - there is something new added to our universe and, gradually, our world, of infinite varieties, emerges.

As agents, in complexity theory terms, we also participate in interplays - not only between us, humans - but also with everything that surrounds us. These interplays shape and maintain emergent properties that are entering into interplay that shapes and maintains, what we call, our culture.

A "psychology of obedience" (diminished responsibility) enabled emergence of Nazism that marked the darkest hour of our recent history. The similar trend, we witness today, must be reversed.

The simple fact that we (through our thoughts, feelings, actions or inactions) participate in shaping properties (qualia) of our cultures has staggering implications. It establishes our own, personal responsibility for any quale that is maintained or emerges from our thoughts, feelings actions or inactions. Our own, personal responsibility for everything we like or dislike in our world. Our consciousness does have a veto power and with this it can nudge our thoughts, feelings, actions and inactions towards a participation that shapes better properties (qualia) of our cultures.

Taking up responsibility is nothing new. Despite strengthening property of excuses in our cultures - people do refuse plastic bags and use environmentally friendly reusable bags. People do protest about irresponsible cutting down of trees for new developments. The issue of environmental impact is growing stronger on a daily basis. In this, indigenous cultures might be of particular interest. Some indigenous people are practically teaching environmentalists and biologists about interplays between everything that surrounds us (including us) - and their results.

Willy-nilly, we are all in this together. And this "we" does not only include us - humans. It also includes algae, salt, mountains, rivers, oceans, birds, clouds, trees... This brings us to another staggering implication - our sense of togetherness. We do shape our cultures together and we are responsible for the result. The lower the sense of togetherness is, the more unstable properties that shape our cultures are - until our cultures (our worlds) simply collapse. (Plenty of historical examples.)

I have chosen the title of this page to emphasise the importance of our sense of togetherness. And this means full, uncompromising, respect for views of others. Divisive issues only lower our sense of togetherness. Instead, I would suggest, a focus on what we agree upon and the rest will eventually come to an agreement - on its own.

An emergent property, that enhances coherency of our culture, will promote a better understanding between us all. This will raise our sense of togetherness and enhance our sense of personal responsibility - and this will in turn lead towards more emergent properties that enhance coherency of our culture.

A simple philosophy, I would suggest, for - how to enhance "our description of the world and ourselves within it"?