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4th Edition

16/10/06
WORLD INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

A Word From The Editor - by Owen Cosby


Dear friends,

In my home country the leaves are quickly beginning to change color in all
of their spectacular glory. The leaves in their own unique way are heralding
Contents to the world that a change of seasons is underway, As with all things in life,
change always seems to be inevitable and may well be the only true constant
of our universe.
► A Word From The Editor......1
Speaking of change I would like to announce that we too have experienced
a change at the WIN ONE editorial office as Florian Schröder has decided
►WIN Meetings.….................2 to step down as editor. I would like to take a moment to say that Florain
Face to Face Meetings............................2 has done an outstanding job with the WIN ONE publications over the years
and we wish him the very best.
►Essays………....….…...3 - 19
I have now assumed the role of the WIN ONE editor to carry on this great
Intelligence and Competence
and noble tradition. It always fascinates me to see the various skills and
Part 2 of 2......................................…3 - 8
talents of our membership set down into a digital format for all to see. I
always look forward to the WIN ONE publications with its articles,
The Fundamental Impossibility of paintings, poetry , etc which are truly awe inspiring and reflects much of
Proving The Existence or who we are as an IQ society.
Non-Existence of God.
Part 1 of 2........................................9 - 12 As the seasons are quickly changing the holidays are fast approaching.
During this holiday season it is my fondest wish that everyone should take
On Cartesian Motion ....................13 - 15 time to reflect back upon the year, the good times, time spent with family
and friends and the accomplishments made for the year and what we want
Spinoza and the to achieve in the new year to come.
Philosopher’s Stone.......................16 –17
Here is to wishing you and your families a safe and happy holidays with
A Legacy of Logical Art ..............18 –19 many more to come.

Owen Cosby
► Art ………….……….......20
Autumn......…...…..……………….....20

► Photos ….…..…....…21 - 22
Main Museum of Antwerp ..….……..21
Tropical Lights ....…….……….….....22
All contributions express the opinion of its authors and not necessarily meet the official WIN view.

1
Oct 2006

WIN Meetings Face to Face - by Evangelos Katsioulis

Celebrating almost 6 years of function, productivity, friendship and proactivity, I would like to share
with you some good moments of WIN members meetings.

2004
Greece, Chalkidiki

Evangelos Katsioulis & Thomas Baumer

2004
France, Marseille

Xavier Jouve & Thomas Baumer

2005
Greece, Thessaloniki

Chris Chsioufis, Julie Tribes,


Thomas Baumer & Evangelos Katsioulis

Looking forward to take part in more events and real life meetings with our WIN family members.

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Oct 2006

Intelligence and Competence - Part 2 of 2 - by Thomas Baumer

This article is an extract of 'Handbook Intercultural Competence' (Volume 2, Chapter 1.4), actually available in ger-
man language (Thomas Baumer: Handbuch Interkulturelle Kompetenz, zwei Bände, Verlag Orell Füssli, Zürich; ISBN
3-280-02691-1 and ISBN 3-280-05081-2; all references are mentioned there). The publication in english language is
planned for 2007. (Part 1 of this article has been published in the last WIN ONE Magazine, issue 3 at 05/05/05.) More
information is available at the website of 'CICB Center of Intercultural Competence', www.cicb.net.

3. Spiritual Intelligence one another – they are, however, very 3. They know when staying-power is
strongly linked in sensitive and experi- needed
In addition to logical (Intelligence Quo- enced individuals and make individual 4. They know how to make the most of
tient, IQ) and emotional intelligence strengths and weaknesses very different their abilities
(Emotional Quotient, EQ), we also have from person to person. 5. They turn thought into action
spiritual intelligence (Spiritual Quotient, 6. They are goal-oriented
SQ). This enables us not only to establish The two fundamental mental processes 7. They see jobs through to the end
values and recognize rules and patterns, involved in cognitive science, the primary 8. They are proactive
but also to break them in the search for process linked to the “id” (urges, the 9. They are not afraid of failure
new ways of thinking and being – creativ- physical body, emotions, the unconscious 10. They do not procrastinate
ity and visions. SQ is the intelligence we – the basis for EQ), and the secondary 11. They accept justified criticism
use to tackle problems of purpose and process linked to the “self” (conscious, 12. They reject self-pity
value, place our actions and lives in a rational mind, - the basis for IQ), are 13. They are independent
greater and richer context and decide complemented by the third process, the 14. They try to overcome personal prob-
whether one way of acting or living use of spiritual intelligence. Its effect is lems
makes more sense than another. “Spirit” integrative, transformative and transper- 15. They concentrate on their goals
is the vital principle which gives the sonal and can therefore be regarded as 16. They are aware of the thin line sepa-
physical organism life, in contrast to its part of emotional intelligence. rating being over faced by something
material components. and not having enough to keep their
4. Success Intelligence: interest
This is the real “human” dimension: 17. They are able to wait for rewards
Analytical, Creative and 18. They can see the woods
every computer is capable of logical com- Practical Intelligence
petence and action, and the more highly (macrostructure) and the trees
developed animals possess emotional (microstructure)
competence (or at least elements of it). Another form of intelligence is success 19. They have a reasonable degree of
While emotional intelligence is character- intelligence: heart and mind are linked self-confidence and believe in their
ized chiefly by sensitivity and adaptabil- with creativity in such a way that practi- ability to achieve goals
ity, spiritual competence comprises the cal success is achieved. Practical intelli- 20. They think analytically, creatively
ability to take a holistic, generic view of gence enables an individual to recognize and practically in equal measure
things, to develop values and give our personal strengths, encourage and use
Self confidence and a willingness to learn
existence purpose and vision. SQ enables these in the service of a particular goal
from others make fear of competition
us to reflect on the existential question and correct or compensate for weak-
largely superfluous – a true master is not
“why”. nesses. Success intelligence is at its most
afraid of rivals. When a manager or a
effective when its three aspects – analyti-
participant in a discussion is afraid of
Spirital intelligence is transformative. In cal, creative and practical intelligence –
competition, the problem often lies less
other words, things are always seen in a are balanced. More important than simply
with the rival and more with himself. A
wider context and we judge based on “the possessing these qualities is the knowl-
great deal of energy is wasted on an ex-
big picture”. Recent research has shown edge of when and how to use them. Indi-
cessively strong fixation with the compe-
that specific neurological processes in the viduals with success intelligence not only
tition. The desire to perfect oneself via
human brain are responsible for “making have particular abilities, they know when
well thought-out and creative strategies
sense” of the world: the synchronous neu- and how to use them effectively.
means “victory without a fight” in accor-
ronal oscillations which ensure the stan- dance with the principle of Aikido: Striv-
dardization of microelectric impulses in Individuals with success intelligence have
ing for harmony, for inner mental energy
the brain. the following characteristics and abilities:
(soul) and philosophy.
1. They are self-motivated
IQ, EQ and SQ can act independently of 2. They learn to control their impulses

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Oct 2006

Kaizen is used like Aikido, also in cul- using potential for renewal. the question of purpose. One example of
tures other than the Japanese. It is a sim- 7. Protection: Regarding crises as an this is the interpretation of a piece of mu-
ple approach requiring little investment of opportunity for growth. Systematic sic: this can consist merely of the me-
time and money, but at the same time risk analysis (type, cause, duration) chanical playing of notes, or the per-
efficient (avoiding the unnecessary and and cooperative but resolute action. former’s sensory interpretation in the
wasteful), gradual and all-encompassing, 8. Creation of Synergies: Formulating spirit of the composer.
particularly in the field of production and visions and putting them into prac-
industrial management (“constant im- tice. Obtaining the optimum use from Children are often bursting with energy:
provement”). Gemba is the term for the the above points via values and disci- they are sensuous, lively and direct. Chil-
workplace and implies that the higher pline, reason and decisiveness. dren have no prejudices and (among
echelons of management also need to themselves) no language problems! As
identify with a company’s core activities 5. Institutional Intelligence time goes on, however, most of them cur-
(products and services). The main ele- tail this energy and learn to fear sensu-
ments of Gemba Kaizen are: ousness and liveliness.
Being economical: Clarity, order, cleanli- The intelligence of an institution or com-
ness, systemization and standardization pany can be determined by observing how The key to sensory intelligence is the
Avoidance of the wasteful and useless effectively information is shared and to body with all its senses. They form the
Standardization: Planning, testing, moni- what extent employees use one another’s link between our minds and the moment
toring, implementing ideas. In a company with a high corporate in which we are living. The senses can be
IQ, all the individuals crucial to a project reawakened simply and quickly by taking
TQC (Total Quality Control), JIT (Just- have permanent access to all relevant notice of details of our daily existence
In-Time Production), TPM (Total Pro- information. and letting them work on us: consciously
ductive Maintenance), a comprehensive listening to the sounds of nature, enjoying
system allowing employees to make sug- Dissatisfied customers are always inter- a morning shower for instance – con-
gestions and activities in small groups, esting because they offer a unique oppor- sciously and intensively experience your
are well known examples of Gemba Kai- tunity to learn from their (usually justi- own bodily existence and in doing so
zen. fied) complaints in organizational, techni- (re)discover your own needs.
cal or human terms. The ability to learn
Leadership IQ measures the ability to from criticism and complaints instead of Living consciously means living
adhere to 7 principles – purposefulness, adopting a defensive stance is not only a sensuously. The suppression of conflict
pragmatism, strategic modesty, client sign of considerable emotional and social (even if it occurs at the subliminal level)
orientation, commitment, professional competence but also the best way of can trigger extreme and pathological
optimism, willingness to accept responsi- achieving sustainable quality enhance- physical and mental symptoms, especially
bility – and to play the following 8 roles: ment. in situations involving a “danger” that
they could be remembered. Needs, urges
1. Selection: putting the right person in Other examples of institutional intelli- and stimuli should be recognized (by
the right place at the right time. gence are Data Mining (the use of loga- examining them with a critical eye) rather
2. Linkage: Developing and improving rithms to filter useful patterns out of large than suppressed. They should be lived out
relationships. amounts of data) and Pivot Tables, which either to an ethically acceptable degree
3. Problem-Solving: The assumption are used to analyze large amounts of data (i.e. not to the detriment of other directly
that there is a solution to every prob- from various perspectives (e.g. age, gen- or indirectly involved individuals) or
lem. Investigating causes and costs der, demographics). diverted (i.e. sublimated) into other
(time and money); direct approach to
activities (sport, art, science etc.). Both
solutions.
options make it possible to live life more
4. Evaluation: a) of goals (e.g. client
6. Sensory Intelligence intensively, more consciously and pave
orientation), b) of responsibilities
the way to new interests, needs and
(clear demarcation of responsibili-
In physiological terms, sensory intelli- experiences which are passed on to other
ties), c) of participation (involvement
gence manifests itself in continuous re- individuals consciously or unconsciously.
of all affected individuals), d) of
guidance (training), e) of service finement of the neuronal networks be-
(improvement via counseling). tween the sensory organs and the brain by 7. Communicative
5. Mediation: negotiate for clients (not deliberately training the five senses Intelligence, Practical Com-
for oneself) with the aim of achiev- (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch). munication, Body Language
ing a consensus (with synergies), not
a compromise (keeping losses to a More intensive and conscious perception
improves overall intellectual performance Communicative intelligence is the ability
minimum).
– the active shaping of subjective reality; to react appropriately to situations which
6. Balance: Admitting weaknesses and
sensory living as a means of answering

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arise within the context of linguistic com- into three aspects: Body language is always dependent on
munication while keeping sight of one’s situation, life-story and experience. It has
own aims and intentions. Rhetoric and 1. Choice of words to be continuously reviewed and reap-
quick-wittedness, but also sensitivity for 2. Body language praised because each individual and each
the situation and other individuals, are 3. Emotion situation represents a new and unique
the keys to successfully taking part in or constellation. The principle of opening
leading a conversation as well as holding oneself up (embracing something new,
Although verbal discussion accounts for
a good speech. They provide the opti- breathing in) and of closing oneself
80% to 90% of conversations and
mum basis for dealing with difficult (being able to distance oneself, breathing
negotiations, the spoken word represents
s i t u a t i o n s s u c h a s h e c kl i n g, out) is certainly binding. It is quite possi-
20% at most of the real “message” which
“conversation stoppers”, misunderstand- ble to become aware of body language,
we send out. Just like language and
ings, slips of the tongue, ambiguities or but it is extremely difficult to manipulate
understanding, forms of expression also
verbal attacks. it. When individuals avoid taking notice
vary consideraby from one culture to
of their feelings, they often also block
another: The Spanish, Italians and
Rhetoric – the art of speaking in public – perception of what their bodies are able
Argentinians can have blazing arguments
has the following uses and advantages: to express. The usual result of this is that
and only a short time later walk hand in
• Reduces inhibitions and creates such individuals seem tense, uncertain or
hand or arm in arm along the street
greater self-confidence incompetent to other people. Integrated
(without having any homosexual
• Enhances clarity of expression and body language manifests itself in a self-
tendencies). Among the Japanese, a smile
argumentation, allowing goal- confident posture, a dynamic walk and
can express embarrassment or anger
oriented communication fluid bodily movements. This signifi-
(since the Japanese regard emotional
• Creates the ability to plan and hold cantly increases the chances of success in
outbursts as “losing face”) and a sad fa-
speeches professional and private life, since self-
cial expression can be a sign of happiness
• Makes it possible to conduct con- awareness and self-confidence are par-
and satisfaction. Americans often smile
versations successfully ticularly enhanced.
broadly, without this being in any way
• Has a positive effect on other indi- disingenuous. A grim expression on the
viduals Here a list of some of the basic rules on
face of an Arab can signal great despera-
• Makes a speaker convincing interpreting body language:
tion. It should also be remembered that
• Opens up the possibility of more all aspects of practical communication • Signals are ambiguous; the
success in private and professional are influenced by psychological factors. “translation” is always an interpreta-
life tion.
• Engenders greater fairness In addition to Samy Molcho’s seminal • Signals must always be regarded in
(providing it is not used with mali- works on body language (in this case connection with other factors, e.g. the
cious intent) related mainly to western cultures), he cultural background or the concrete
offers an introduction to the subject of situation.
practical communication in the book • Body language is always accompa-
The following lines of argument, which
“Die Macht der versteckten Signale“ nied by non-verbal or paraverbal
are frequently used but remain dishonest
(The Power of Hidden Signals). Molcho (even social) sounds on the part of the
and dangerous, should be avoided as far
speaks here of “barriers”: barriers in the interlocutor.
as possible in argumentation technique:
psyche, in space, in discussion, invisible • Decoding body language or individual
• Generalization: “always“, “never“, and emotional barriers.
“all“ signals should always take place on
• Slogans: “You get only top quality multidimensional levels. Interpreting
There are four types or levels of inter- individual signals on only one level
from us!“ human communication: (e.g. interpreting a posture without
• Citing an authority: “As Shake-
• Verbal communication: through taking into account the context and
speare once said...“
words or their meaning the words being spoken) almost al-
• Appealing to experience: “It’s al-
• Paraverbal communication: loudness ways leads to misunderstandings or
ways been that way...“
of speaking, way of speaking, when to superficial interpretations.
• Emotional appeals: “The others are
say nothing, the meaning of interrup- • Body language is more direct and
suffering...“
tions etc. more difficult to manipulate. For this
• Claiming plausibility: “It’s com- reason it is often more honest than
pletely logical, isn’t it...?“ • Non-verbal communication: body
language, messages without words spoken language.
• Evasiveness: Trying to cover up the • Changes to outward posture often
truth • Extra-verbal communication: time,
location, context, tactile and olfactory reflect inner changes.
• Isolation: Citing things out of con- • Facial expression is more difficult to
text aspects
control than gestures.
Practical communication can be divided

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What is important is not so much strictly Data derived from the senses and the 10. Key Competences
controlled behavior as harmony of ex- memory are not analyzed as in logical
pression, language and gesture. Even in thinking. The brain attempts to filter out In addition to specialist competences,
Japan, where strict behavioral norms are holistic images. which will continue to be very necessary,
adhered to in just about every conceivable the four key competences (or key qualifi-
situation, and there are a correspondingly Intuition perceives the world holistically cations) listed below are regarded as
large number of “manuals”, spontaneity (although as a fragmented whole) and not cross-disciplinary competences.
and intuitively correct, appropriate behav- in fractions which have to be analyzed. It
ior are – in the right context – by no is a non-linear, non-empirical process in
Competence of Action
means alien concepts. which information is gathered and inter-
preted in order to answer questions. It is
Competence of action is concerned with
not mystical but rather a form of sensory
how to act step by step in a goal-oriented
perception which remains in the back-
8. Intuition ground and shows us how things should
manner, what personality traits are re-
quired, what forms of action are avail-
work. To this extent it is a sort of logic.
Intuition (often referred to as the “sixth able, what behavioral problems and mis-
sense”) plays an important if not crucial takes arise, what models exist, how to
Emotional intelligence is largely based
role in all decisions and almost all aspects orient oneself, interact with one’s envi-
on practical intuition, which can be ac-
of life. Intuition as a feeling, based on ronment and also how to achieve goals as
tively enhanced by a willingness to learn
sensitivity and sensory alertness, is a a trainee. Typical characteristics of a
(particularly to learn from negative ex-
prime example of an ability which can be capable individual are considered, goal-
periences). Intuition is not about follow-
learned. In contrast to instinctive actions oriented action, a self-assured manner,
ing instructions. It is about (subjectively
or reactions, intuition (conscious or un- self-confidence, conflict capability / the
experienced) truth.
conscious) is based not only on genetic ability to accept and deal with conflict
factors or acquired behavior but also on and frustration tolerance, flexibility, inde-
Creativity pendence, the ability to use structured
assimilated experience. It is therefore a
much more complex psychological and knowledge appropriate to a given situa-
Creativity means viewing commonplace tion, consistent thought and action, and
neuropsychological process. Derived
things in an unusual way. It is the ability ethical values.
from the Latin “intuitio“ (inspiration or
to put intuition and spontaneity into prac-
conscious recognition of connections), it
tice. It is the creative ability which mani- Ideally, competence of action is viewed
is the direct, holistic recognition or ex-
fests itself in human action and thinking. as a common area, or in other words as an
perience of facts in contrast to discursive
It is characterized on the one hand by interface of social, methodological and
knowledge acquired by, for instance, evi-
newness or originality but must also make technical competence. It is the ability to
dence, explanation or definition.
a meaningful and recognizable contribu- use these various competences con-
tion to solving problems. sciously and thus be in a position to dif-
From a psychological point of view, in-
tuition is the spontaneous and holistic ferentiate between personality-related and
Children are positively bursting with culturally based behavior, to analyze
recognition of correlations with reality
creativity. For them, the world is a varied one’s own culture as well as other cul-
(accompanied by a feeling of evidence) or
assortment of possibilities. Every moment tures, to recognize possible incongruen-
the completion of scientific, technical or
offers the chance to discover something cies and thus display sensitivity in orga-
artistic tasks. Intuition plays a part in the
new. Under the influence of upbringing nizing an encounter between individuals
process of human cognition and – as fo-
and social and financial conventions, they with differing cultural backgrounds. This
cused intuition – is an element in methods
increasingly lose their creative affinity. In is also linked with the use of appropriate
aimed at creative problem-solving such as
most cases, adults have merely sup- methods and approaches to facilitate en-
brainstorming (creativity through sponta-
pressed their creativity. The important counters and communication.
neous and uncritical expression of
thing is to ask questions – in particular to
thoughts), synetics (seeking alternatives
analyze, to think unconventionally and to When applied to cross-cultural compe-
via analogies) etc.
take risks. tence, competence of action relates to the
Our logical thinking is controlled by the ability to analyze one’s own culture as
Creativity does not have to be logical. It well as other cultures and to successfully
left hemisphere of the brain. It works with
often comes spontaneously and abruptly, manage an encounter between mutually
language and by reaching a series of con-
and constructive creativity can arise par- foreign cultures.
clusions. Intuition, on the other hand,
ticularly during phases of frustration,
occurs in the right hemisphere, along with
providing it is given room to develop.
the emotional centers of the brain. This
thinking is based on vivid, unconscious
impressions such as flashes of inspiration.

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Competence of Method intact, an individual is lively, has persona is particularly strongly affected.
vigor, vitality, freshness, enthusiasm. As a result, the influence of vital and the
Competence of method relates to the A vital individual can easily be moti- emotional layers becomes more pro-
fields of method (planned, structured ac- vated and quickly translates deci- nounced, physical urges become more
tions and processes, creative techniques), sions into action. dominant, emotional life takes the upper
technique (the creation and use of appro- 2. Emotional Layer: The psychological hand and the ethical and esthetic level
priate aids), process (planning, decision- basis, stable or unstable emotionality, falls. The layers described above continu-
making, organization, development, the subconscious or unconscious as a ally influence one another. In harmonious
monitoring) and system (procedure, ap- fundamental, nourishing, dynamic personalities, all the layers are of roughly
propriately structured approach, priori- and creative layer of psychological equal strength and effectiveness.
tized points of reference). life which is also the source of
moods. The emotional layer symbol- A personality is a talented, mature, deci-
In relation to cross-cultural competence, izes the “heart” or soul. It helps us to sive and complete person with a strong
competence of method and expertise re- orient ourselves in the material world character and great charisma, who acts
quire knowledge of one’s own and others’ and deal with our bodies. This inter- from a calm central core, unites a variety
cultural values and attitudes, the potential mediate emotional layer covers psy- of contradictory traits and is identical
relativity of values like justice or solidar- chosocial needs as well as some indi- with itself. This personality can assert
ity and global interlinkage and dependen- vidual needs, and as part of the cen- itself when required but also adapt to the
cies. tral nervous system the interbrain in environment when this seems opportune.
which sensory and motor impulses It can also play a mediating role between
are automatically coordinated and the contradictions which arise in social rela-
Personal Competence vegetative functions controlled with tionships. It is able to tackle problems out
the limbic system, the pineal gland of a sense of personal conviction and re-
Personal competence includes the ability and the pituitary gland. The emo- sponsibility, opinion and decisiveness and
to deal with oneself, in other words to tional layer corresponds to the con- is capable of impressive achievements for
know one’s own strengths and weak- cept of soul. It is the inner self, itself, its fellow human beings, its em-
nesses and deal optimally with the somewhere between the dynamic, ployer or society in general.
chances and risks which the environment instinctive self and the rational per-
offers. sona. Children, many artists and even Self-esteem as the result of self-
endomorphs / pyknic types are domi- examination produces a relevant and
Personal competence or self-competence nated by it. largely positive or negative evaluation of
describes the ability to recognize to what 3. Rational Layer: Personal, intellectual one’s own persona, capabilities and re-
extent one’s own self is influenced by superstructure, layer for thought, ceptivity to experience as well as the con-
cultural values and attitudes, what ele- feeling, judgment, decision, will, dition and function of the organs and the
ments of one’s own culture or subculture which differentiates the human being organism. It affects mood, well-being and
determine one’s self-image. It is also es- from the animal. It stands for con- behavior and determines natural self-
sential to learn to differentiate between scious living, creative processes, confidence. Those who possess it have no
personality-dependent traits and cultur- striving beyond personal limits and need for strategies to “maintain a facade”
ally defined attitudes. linkage with an invisible intellectual or impress, since they have sufficient
world. Individual intellectual needs inner strength. They can control them-
The persona can be regarded as having can be attributed to the rational layer, selves, curb their impulsive side and gov-
three layers: as can – physically – the relatively ern their emotions. Self-esteem can be
1. Vital Layer: The oldest and deepest young layers of the neocortex, which shaken or weakened by shameful experi-
layer, the inner self, the basis for are the precondition for planned, ences, “undigested” insults in earlier life,
living life, bodily and vegetative deliberate action. The highest layer vengefulness or by comparing oneself
functions. The physical senses and symbolizes the “head”. It corre- with individuals who appear to be favored
the drive for self-preservation and the sponds to the “rider”, who is carried in some way.
preservation of the species reside by the lower levels (i.e. the vital and
here. This is also true of those parts emotional “horse”) but is relatively In relation to intercultural competence,
of the central nervous system which independent of them and free to de- personal competence presupposes a reali-
were formed first in our evolutionary cide and act. zation of how one is influenced by cul-
history (spinal cord, spinal brain, tural values and attitudes, what patterns
Deterioration in the layers and their func-
brain stem) and control our urges and and subcultures determine one’s view of
tions takes place under the influence of
instincts. The vital layer is the energy oneself.
chemical changes: excessive alcohol con-
center, the root of the persona. It sumption, old age, serious injury, mental
influences all the other layers. It illness etc. The rational layer of the
symbolizes the “gut reaction”. If it is

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Social Competence ity. In the final analysis, this is what cre- Decision-Making Competence: Using
ates social competence: the ability to intellect and intuition – having the
Social competence is the ability of a man achieve superordinate social aims, e.g. courage to accept responsibility,
or a woman to interact appropriately with just social life with human dignity. hearing and correctly interpreting the
members of both sexes from all social “inner voice” (intuition or “gut feel-
strata. A supervisor or employee can be Within the contact of cross-cultural com- ing”) while also applying the abstrac-
said to have social competence when he petence, social competence is the ability tive and analytical abilities of logical
or she thinks, speaks and acts as a self- to deal with stress, live out contradictions intelligence (the “head”).
confident and genuine personality in a and conflicts by interaction and commu-
fine balance between conformity and self- nication appropriate to the relevant cul- Stress Competence: dealing with adver-
assertion, duty and inclination. Such a ture, and develop empathy for individuals sity – the subjective view of a stress-
person works with other individuals co- from foreign cultures. ful situation as not destructive,
operatively, purposefully and beneficially avoiding a defensive attitude towards
in a spirit of social commitment. He or Other Key Competences stress factors, inner calm. The ability
she is sensitive, understanding, self- to adapt to the environment, which is
critical, communicative, open to contact Necessary talents and behaviors can also also good for the health.
and new relationships and behaves judi- be described using the following compe-
ciously, free of prejudice, tolerantly and tences: Communication Competence: expressing
fairly in a spirit of compromise and part- feelings in the appropriate manner.
nership. Relationship Competence: Linking one’s Being perceptible for others, but
own interests with those of a team – keeping one’s emotions under con-
Developing social competence means Self-confidence and assertiveness to trol. This makes a person credible
being able to integrate oneself into exist- win over others for one’s own inter- and authentic.
ing relationships. The important thing is ests. Emotional and social compe-
to understand unspoken rules and group tence.
dynamics. 11. Personal Attitude
Learning Competence: Learning as a
Social competence presupposes not only lifelong activity – particularly in im-
Personal attitude, i.e. an interest in inter-
identity and personal competence but also portant functions and high levels in
acting with fellow human beings, cannot
emotional intelligence. It and emotional the hierarchy, this ability must be
be faked and is the basis for successful
competence are interdependent. The con- retained, also as a sort of “inner mod-
communication.
tinued development of both cognitive and esty”. The reason is that the half life
emotional competence enables individu- of knowledge is continually shrink-
als to feel and show respect and trust for ing. It has to be a fundamental atti-
one another, to differentiate between the tude: curiosity, openness, youthful
© Thomas Baumer: Handbuch
objective and the emotional level and to freshness which can be preserved in
Interkulturelle Kompetenz, Band 2
act or take the lead in a manner appropri- the long term, the courage to strike
(Verlag Orell Füssli, Zürich)
ate to the given situation. Non-verbal out into the unknown and try new
signals (facial expression, eye contact, things. Those who dare to do this
tone of voice, posture, gestures etc.) can gain an unconscious wealth of ex-
be controlled and used according to the perience which they can draw on at
situation or culture. One is aware of how times of uncertainty: intuition. Intui-
one appears to other individuals. Emo- tion is a gift given by all good learn-
tionally intelligent people allow all their ing competence.
emotions to come into play, but they keep
them under control. Self Competence: to rearrange oneself
again and again – the flexibility to
Social competence as a process of devel- find one’s way in new and unaccus-
opment: Self-confidence and a positive tomed situations while preserving
attitude to life facilitate sensitivity one’s inner calm, inner balance and –
(especially social sensitivity – in the final analysis – inner values.
“understanding”) and activity (especially This is a way of coping with failure
communicative ability – “agreement”). and other difficult situations, by
This constitutes the ability to cooperate, viewing problems and difficulties as
which in turn bestows the ability to re- a chance to grow personally and ac-
solve conflict, which itself facilitates tively shape one’s life.
helpful and autonomous action in solidar-

8
Oct 2006

The Fundamental Impossibility of


Proving The Existence or Non Existence of GOD
Part I: Introductory definitions and considerations - by Jan Snauwaert

Not one study can be made without pre- Let's first start to concentrate on all We are dealing here with a dimension
sumptions, be they implicit or not. In case dimensions, forces and quantities that can that is more difficult to define and to
these presumptions are of a fundamental have an infinite value in the real world measure than the three dimensions of
nature - and such study underlying pre- (with 'real' is meant: leaving aside all space, but that is just as real and intui-
sumptions should always be that way - it purely abstract, mathematical quantities). tively knowable: the dimension of com-
is better to account for them in the most At the same time we have to wonder if all plexity. Sadly, until today physics didn’t
precise possible way from the start on. If finite 'things' are observable and/or succeed yet to formulate a uniform defini-
a construction of thought ought to be measurable. That is a question with which tion of the notion of complexity, which of
solid, then it is, like a building, in need of the positive science struggles already course also means that a measure scale of
a solid foundation. In this study I proceed from its beginning. On the other hand, the it doesn’t exist.
in accordance to these starting points: positive science knows, by the time
1) The only 'building blocks' of the think- being, good enough 'matter' in all its An additional problem to arrive at a uni-
able or observable reality, as they can be forms to be able to decide that there versally accepted concept of complexity
thought of or experienced by beings with doesn't seem to be a limit to its degree of is the already mentioned infinite degree
reflexive consciousness, can't be de- granularity: all living or dead matter dis- of granularity of matter: what could pos-
scribed in a sufficient manner in any man integrates into molecules, molecules dis- sibly be chosen as unity of complexity?
made language, but will be referred to by integrate into nuclei and electrons, nuclei Given the exponential increase of com-
me - in lack of more adequate words - by and electrons disintegrate into photons, plexity as one goes up the scale of mate-
'matter' and 'spirit'; neutrons and protons and in elementary rial entities, it is probably a good idea to
2) Of both of these 'building blocks', it is sub particles, that can only be observed in work with a logarithmic scale (as for in-
the 'spirit' that is really constructive in an indirect way, by observing the traces stance used in measurement of sound
nature, thereby using 'matter' in an infi- they leave in giant accelerators. This way intensity) to manageable numbers of
nite amount of variations and combina- we can see that it is not jumping to con- complexity. However, since this isn’t the
tions; clusions in saying that the degree of focus of our discussion, I won’t further
3) Far from being restricted to 'our' planet granularity of matter could very well be elaborate on this subject here. Yet, before
Earth, the validity of the statements 1) infinite. But on the other hand, quantum leaving (momentarily) the subject, I want
and 2) is universal. physics were led to define a fundamental to add this remark: in his works, Teilhard
These starting points are used by me in limit (Planck's constant) below which undertakes several attempts to define
the context of a bigger investigation, that nothing can be observed with certainty. In complexity. The case being that physics
I call 'The Harmonization of the Finite other words: if we represent reality by until today didn’t arrive yet this physical
and the Infinite', but here I will use them being built out of 'matter' and 'spirit', we dimension in its theories is partially due
to proof the impossibility of proving the have to conclude that positive science, to the fact that Teilhard’s definition at-
existence of God. The method used is to that by definition has matter as its study tempts aren’t completely ‘finished’.
investigate in a practical, yet theoretical material, is confronted with an invincible Elaborate and clarify this subject is also
justified, and goal oriented manner the observation limit of precision and obser- beyond the scope of this study, yet I
interaction between the finite and the vation. Behind this limit, infinity yawns. would like to propose a provisional defi-
infinite. Therefore, it is important to de- Because we are talking here about matter nition of the dimension of complexity,
fine and describe as good as possible related infinity, we will designate it by given its importance as well in this study
what we understand by 'finite' and the term ‘immanent infinity’. More spe- as in many other investigations. As a defi-
'infinite'. As far as the concept 'God' ever cifically, we are talking about a spatial nition I propose the following, referring
has been defined, we always see reappear immanent infinity, countered, as we all to it in the rest of the study by D1:
the same characteristic - in this context now, by its opposite: immensity, by The determination of the complexity of a
also called 'attribute' of God: infinity. At which Blaise Pascal and a myriad of peo- system makes only sense in the case that
the same time, we can't deny that the ple in his track, felt crushed. At the time the system in question is actually a com-
'statute' of God - is the existence of God of Pascal though and in the centuries be- plex system. Characteristics for complex
real, and if He exists, what then might be fore him, a third infinity of matter re- systems are:
His relation with 'our' world? - has always mained unnoticed, to be discovered only 1) All activity of the complex system is
been problematic and that this is certainly in the twentieth century by another focused on an optimal functioning of the
also the case today. Frenchman, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. system itself, in other words the system

9
Oct 2006

has a specific goal oriented behavior; definition D1, it then seems interesting to discovered in some future), we arrive at
2) This goal orientation of the complex me to propose the following definition D2 transcendent infinity. Because 'matter'
system leads to internal interactions of of ‘time’: and 'spirit' are two fundamentally
the composing parts of the complex sys- different principles of one and the same
tem that are in a statistical relevant way Time is the cosmic dimension that in- reality, immanent and transcendent
higher in number and in nature more creases for non-complex systems if, ac- infinity are also of a fundamental
varied than the interactions between the cording to the natural flow of processes different nature. But prior even to a
complex system and the world outside of in such systems, the entropy of them in- discussion of that difference, is the
it; creases, or, in the case of complex sys- important remark that there isn't a
3) Complex systems have the potential tems, increases if – equally accordingly transcendent counterpart of immanent
capacity of such high levels of self- to the natural processes in these systems finiteness: something like transcendent
organization, that they (can) lead to a – the complexity of them increases. finiteness doesn’t exist. Thinking a little
new complex system, with higher com- longer about the issue, it becomes obvi-
plexity; In view of the connection with matter, we ous that this is to be expected: transcen-
4) The complexity of a complex system is will also talk, regarding time, of an im- dence, by definition, is 'what goes be-
in the first place determined by the vari- manent infinity, at least if we indeed deal yond', more concretely, that what goes
ety of the interactive connections between with a dimension that can be infinitely beyond (at least partially) our worlds of
its composing parts, and only secondly by small and/or big. Practically, the latter is experience and thought, in other words
the number of these interactive connec- the case because ‘our’ universe existed at that what escapes finiteness. Moreover,
tions and the number of its composing least for several billions of years, before transcendence is 'spirit-oriented', spiritual
parts. the apparition of man into it, and because of nature, and as a consequence, imma-
it most probably will continue to exist nent and transcendent infinity are funda-
numerous billions of years after it has mental different from each other. To
Of course, this definition would need
‘witnessed’ the end of humanity3. mention only one, however very impor-
some further discussion and investigation
Let’s mention also, just for the sake of tant, difference: we don't talk about tran-
of the applicability of it. For practical
completeness, gravitation and the scendental infinity in the plural. This re-
reasons, that won’t be done here, but
homeopathic diluability of matter. flects, on the level of language, the fact
could be the subject of another study. At
According to Einstein’s general relativity that a non reducible difference between
least, we have now some more precise
theory, chances are that there exist transcendence and immanence exists be-
idea of what we reflect upon when talking
“black holes” in the universe, called that cause transcendence is 'spiritual', it is a
about complexity.
way because light would be completely principle of unification, more precisely of
Exploring further the physical (material)
absorbed by locally infinite values of unification of the (infinite degree of
reality, I then see, besides the dimensions
gravitation (or gravitational fields). Al- granulation) of matter. In the same way,
of space, ‘degree of granularity’ and
though gravitation equally deals with an immanence, because it is 'matter-
complexity, three other ‘candidates’ with
interesting property of matter – as all oriented', is a principle of 'inertia', not in
respect to immanent infinity: time,
properties of matter that can attain infinite so far that matter in itself would resist the
gravitation and the homeopathic
values – I won’t talk about it any further unifying force of the spirit, but because
diluability of matter. Although time has
in this study. matter, precisely due to its infinite granu-
been, throughout the centuries, the
latory nature, is incapable by itself to
subject of lots of philosophical debates,
The same thing goes for what I call the realize synthesises of greater unity. Be-
and that it would seem that until today
‘homeopathic diluability’ of matter. We cause of this, we can talk about immanent
science doesn’t seem able to decide
already saw that matter is in an infinite infinities instead of the immanent infinity.
whether it is a cosmic dimension or a
way granular. The homeopathic diluabil- A further deepening is (again) beyond the
mere construction of our brains, yet it is
ity should be considered as a special, not scope of this study (I do it in another
practically the case that in physics, time
yet scientifically explained, case of this chapter of the book of which this study is
has since long (yes, since a long time!)
granularity; special because of the spe- extracted). Let's return now, after this
conquered an official and indispensable
cific, homeopathic way of diluting matter. schematic and necessarily rather strongly
status. Personally, I am persuaded that
theoretical overview of kinds of con-
time is to be considered as a genuine
Each infinity has its proper and unique cretely-real (or, if one prefers, non-
cosmic dimension, and this as well
set of properties and so does the abstract) infinities, to the core of this
because of its organic connection with
homoeopathically infinitely diluted mat- study: how should we look at proofs of
the physical process of entropy as with
ter. According to what has already been God (existence or non-existence) in gen-
that of the physical-biological process of
showed frequently (but still is far from eral; and in a more restrictive way: prov-
evolution, not in the Darwinistic or
being generally accepted), this form of ing the existence of God, is it at all possi-
Lamarckian sense of this word, but in the
matter has unique healing properties. ble? Let's start with a simple question:
sense that the former quoted Pierre Teil-
After this series of immanent infinities how can I provide proof my own
hard de Chardin2 gave to it. Related to
(other ones of course still can be existence?

10
Oct 2006

If approaching this question as little It's important to remark here that we only the adapted first part of conclusion
philosophically as possible, then the can't answer that question with certainty, C1. Including then the entire plant and
answer seems fairly simple: everyone nor positive, nor negative. The reasons animal kingdom, we come to conclusion
who wants to verify this can do whatever therefore are separation in time and the C2: tangible, or at least observable,
seems required to encounter me and fact that until today, no historical manifestations of a plant or an animal
establish the physical evidence of my evidence has been found of Achilles' are the real proofs of its existence. A
existence. If the person who wants to existence. Separation in time doesn't have plant or animal has less and less rich
verify my existence lives in a remote to always be problematic though (if this modes of manifestation than a human and
place, I could still travel and greet him or would be the case, there couldn't be made this as a consequence of the non-
her with the words "Here I am", or, if any genealogical trees, for instance): an reflexive. nature of the non-human con-
desired, translations of this in his or her example of this is that I know of certain sciousness. In a simple way: except man,
mother tongue. Practically speaking, we famous historical figures with certainty there are no animals that write sympho-
run into a first problem: the one of that they existed. I know for instance nies, practice science, design computers,
separation in space. As long as we restrict without the slightest doubt that Michelan- and write books, and so on. All these ac-
ourselves to the planet Earth, this gelo really lived. First, there are his mas- tivities are expressions of a consciousness
shouldn't yet be an invincible difficulty. terpieces that express in a unique way the that on Earth only man possesses.
A more delicate problem is that of existence of this person. Then, there are Descending the ladder of complex
separation in time (of which we earlier the writings of Michelangelo himself, as systems, we arrive rather soon at the
verified it is a real physical dimension): well as the reliable writings of witnesses conclusion that also such forms of matter,
once I died, I can't manifest myself of his life and work. that usually are described as 'dead matter'
anymore to the person I have to proof my All the previous considerations lead to are likely to 'provide' an almost identical
existence. The simplicity of the asked the following temporary conclusion, that form of proof of their existence as plants
question ('How can I proof my for ease of reference, we will designate and animals. So-called dead matter
existence?') shouldn't hide the fact that it with C1: tangible, or at least observable, equally 'provides' a proof of its existence
is actually a purely academically one. manifestations of a person are the real when it manifests itself to us, albeit that
One moment of critical thinking reveals proof of his existence, in the first place in these cases, the nature of manifestation
immediately that someone who doesn't the physical manifestation of the person will always be passive. As in the case of
know me or never heard of me will never himself, or, in absence of such an event, humans, animals and plants, the best
ask for a proof of my existence. There of by manifestations of his unique personal- proof of existence of dead matter is
course can indeed be asked whether a ity (his 'works') or reliable references to 'simply' being there. Despite this analogy,
person with a certain set of characteristics his person by third parties. The momen- we again have to beware of a too quick
exists; in an analogue way to one asking tary character of this conclusion is mainly conclusion: C2 can't be taken over
for kinds of material with certain due to its formulation, the result in itself literally for dead matter. To realize this,
properties. Each person however is though can be considered as universal. we now can profit greatly from our
unique in a way that is partially revealed This last point is of course of great impor- exploration of concrete infinities at the
to us by his physical presence, coupled to tance given the title indicated goal of this beginning of this study. In the case of
the person's name. At such a moment, the study. dead matter, we indeed remarked several
question simply doesn't occur to our mind But let's, before risking ourselves to the kinds of immanent infinity, of which the
to ask for a proof of the existence of this 'case God', look if this conclusion, be- most important for the proof of existence
person: as his or her presence is much sides being universal, is also (infinitely) of this kind of matter was the infinity of
bigger evidence than whatever kind of extensible. In C1, we only dealt with the degree of granularity. Indeed, below a
proof could be presented. But inversely, if case of the human person. The conjecture certain limit of observation, determined
this person isn't 'evident' to us in such a though is that C1 is extensible, mutatis by the uncertainty principle of
way, then nobody will ever be brought to mutandis, to any other 'entity'. Proceeding Heisenberg, we still are able to conjecture
ask for the proof of the existence of one in the same line of thought that lead to the existence of elementary sub-particles,
specific person, at least if this person is conclusion C1, we easily can see that this but no longer observe it, neither directly,
unknown to the potential interrogator in conclusion, provided some adaptations, is nor indirectly.
any way, by any means of manifestation. expandable to the entire plant and animal
It nevertheless can occur to me to ask for kingdom. The formulation can't be recu-
the historicity of person (whether perated literally. Indeed, what meaning
fictitious or not), of whom I know the would have the concepts 'unique person-
name and possibly also stories about him ality', 'works', 'reliable references to his
or her, or possibly also his or her person' if speaking about the plant and
reputation. I could for instance wonder: animal kingdom in general? In case of all
did the hero Achilles really exist, or is he other than the human one, it becomes
purely a mythical person, invented by impossible to give a meaningful content
Homer? to these concepts. Fortunately, he solution
to this problem is easy: it suffices to keep

11
Oct 2006

This doesn't mean anything else than that nothing to do with “fitness” or
this infinitely 'disintegrated' matter adaptation to the environment. This way
doesn't manifest itself to us in whatever (at least, this is the most commonly
form at all, which means that not only we accepted hypothesis), dinosaurs perished
don't have a proof of existence of this millions of years ago as a consequence of
matter, but also that we don't know the impact of a gigantic meteorite.
anything of its reality of existing, and can Obviously the death cause (the meteorite)
work only with physical hypotheses that - wasn’t a lack of adaptation to the
in order to deserve the predicate environment, since meteorites of this size
'scientifically acceptable' - has to be put colliding with the Earth wasn’t (and isn’t)
in the context of a broader theory of in the smallest way part of the
matter that proof to be still verifiable on environment of any living being on this
lower levels of disintegration of matter. A planet.
new adaptation of C1 then leads to con-
2
clusion C3: tangible, or at least observ- For a rather complete synthesis of Teil-
able, manifestations of the different forms hard’s evolutionary vision, I would like to
of dead matter are the real proofs of its refer to his works The Human Phenome-
existence; nevertheless, the degree of non and The Place of Man in Nature.
disintegration (granularity) of this dead For a correct interpretation of the
matter can be such, that no observable expression « end of humanity », I also
manifestation of it happens and that as refer to Teilhard’s work The Human
such no evidence can be delivered of its Phenomenon in which he concludes his
existence, even more so: that the exis- cosmic evolutionary vision with a vision
tence of this infinitely disintegrated form upon “the Earth of the End”.
of matter is purely hypothetical.
3
What this conclusion is revealing, is that For a correct interpretation of the ex-
in certain, extreme cases of the immanent pression « eind of humanity », I also refer
reality, - that more precisely occur when to Teilhard’s work The Human Phenome-
following (‘dead’) matter always further non in which he concludes his cosmic
in its potential disintegration, - proofs of evolutionary vision with a vision upon
existence become impossible. “the Earth of the End”.
Simultaneously, the impossibility of such
4
proofs goes together with the Is there, via iths insight, namely that
impossibility to proof the opposite: it matter is a principle of "inertia", a link to
appears also impossible to proof that such be made with the physical notion of
extremely disintegrated particles of mat- gravitation? I think that's quite possible.
ter would not exist. This result is what we
5
announced in the title of this study, ex- The limit between 'dead' and 'living'
cept regarding the subject to which the matter remains until today vague and
fundamental statement is related. Indeed, arbitrary. To draw this line with more
we dealt here with dead matter instead of accuracy, it is necessary, I think, to
what really interests us: the “case” God. develop further the theory of complex
systems, as I introduced it here. A certain
jump in values of complexity between two
1
Why Darwin’s « evolution formula » the complex systems that in a evolutionary
survival of the fittest until today still perspective succeed each other, could
attracts so many adepts in various then lead perhaps to a scientifically
milieus, among which scientific, is founded determination of this limit, at
honestly an enigma to me. Besides the least if such a limit is at all possible to be
fact that the notion of “fittest” is far from drawn in a meaningful way.
being a rigorously scientific concept, it
also is – even making abstraction of the
very problematic interpretation of the
word “fittest” – a principal of which the
applicability seems to be very limited.
Animal species often extinguish because
of accidental circumstances that have

12
Oct 2006

On Cartesian Motion - by Paul Edgeworth

Aristotle’s natural philosophy played a above, he does, however, provide one in than for rest.
significant role in scholastic philosophy The World. It is by now the familiar one
and was at the center of the curriculum of local motion. Descartes says, “For my Based on the foregoing, we can see that
studied by Descartes at La Fleche. In this part I am not acquainted with any motion Descartes is distinguishing between ac-
tradition, bodies were composed of prime except that which is easier to conceive tion and rest, that motion is a mode of a
matter and substantial form. It is form than the lines of the geometers— the mo- body, and that transference of a body
which differentiated one body from an- tion which makes bodies pass from one takes place from one vicinity of bodies
other. All change involves an underlying place to another and successively occupy that touch it to another vicinity of bodies
matter which is transformed and results in all the spaces which exist in between” that will border it. Therefore we can see
a new structure or form. Change is from (CSM, I, 94). Gone then for Descartes are that action and rest are to be understood
matter which is potential to form which is the motions posited by the philosophers as opposites; and to say that motion is a
fulfilled or actual. It is within such a such as “motus ad formam,” “motus ad mode of body is to identify it as an attrib-
broad definition of change that Aristotle calorem,” “motus ad quantitatem,” and ute of body and to distinguish it from the
defines motion in his Physics as the actu- numerous others (CSM, I, 94). The defi- cause of motion in the body; and that to
ality of a thing in so far as it is in potenti- nition of motion as local motion is further enter upon a discussion of vicinities of
ality. For Descartes such an understand- refined by Descartes in his Principles of bordering bodies is to make clear the dis-
ing of motion is both obscure and very Philosophy, Part Two. Here he distin- tinction between what is in motion and
strange1. In a methodology embracing guishes between the ordinary sense of what is at rest; and that furthermore such
the concept of clear and distinct ideas motion and the strict sense of the term. a distinction is indeed real and not just
there is no room for a vague term such as Motion in the ordinary or common sense arbitrary. Descartes, accordingly, found
potency. For Descartes, there is no rea- of the term is simply “the action by which it necessary to expound upon a strict defi-
son to accept substantial forms, rather the a body travels from one place to another” nition of motion in order to insure that
true form or essence of a material body is (CSM, I, 233). Again, this is the familiar motion would serve to account for all
its extension (CSM, I, 92). If all there is concept of local motion. On the other variety in matter.
in such a body is extension, then all hand, if we consider motion “in accor-
change must be grounded in change from dance with the truth of the matter,” we The matter existing in the entire universe
one place to another. Motion then for must say that “motion is the transfer of is thus one and the same, and it is always
Descartes is local motion, the change of one piece of matter, or one body, from the recognized as matter simply in virtue of
place. Descartes has thus substituted the vicinity of the other bodies which are in its being extended. All the properties
unclear and complex definition of motion immediate contact with it, and which are which we clearly perceive in it are re-
as found in Aristotle for the clear and regarded as being at rest, to the vicinity ducible to its divisibility and consequent
distinct idea of local motion. of other bodies” (CSM, I, 233). In the mobility in respect of its parts, and its
common definition, motion is an action, resulting capacity to be affected in all the
Again, when people say that motion . . . whereas in the strict definition motion is ways which we perceive as being deriv-
is ‘the actuality of a potential being, in so conceived as a transference. Indeed, Des- able from the movement of the parts. If
far as it is potential,’ do they not give the cartes tells us that we commonly think the division into parts occurs simply in
impression of uttering magic words which that all motion involves action whereas our thought, there is no resulting change;
have a hidden meaning beyond the grasp rest consists in the cessation of action. any variation in matter or diversity in its
of the human mind? For who can under- By use of the term transfer, Descartes many forms depends on motion (CSM, I,
stand these expressions? Who does not wants to make clear to us that motion is 232).
know what motion is? Who would deny always in the moving body; thus, it is a
that these people are finding a difficulty mere mode of that thing. He goes on to We have just said above that motion is a
where none exists? It must be said, then, tell us that he wants to divest us of the mode of body and is to be distinguished
that we should never explain things of belief that more action is needed for mo- from the cause of motion. What then is
this sort by definitions, in case we take tion than for rest. For “we will easily get the cause of motion? For Descartes, it is
hold of composite things instead of simple rid of this preconceived opinion if we God who first moved matter in different
ones. Rather, each of us, . . . must atten- consider that it takes an effort on our part ways and who now conserves the world
tively intuit those things which are distin- not only to move external bodies, but with the same amount of motion. In The
guished from all others (CSM, I, 49). also, quite often, to stop them, when grav- World, he tells us that God created matter
ity and other causes are insufficient to in motion and now continues to preserve
While Descartes does not attempt a defi- arrest their movement” (CSM, I, 234). it in the same way that he created it
nition of motion in the Rules as just stated Thus no more action is needed for motion

13
Oct 2006

(CSM, I, 92). force it to change that state” (CSM, I, 93). hand of one who threw it” (CSM, I, 95).
Once again, we see that Descartes is re- What Descartes is doing here is repudiat-
In order to understand this better, ferring to motion as a state, and if the ing the necessity for any theory of impe-
recall that among the qualities of distinction does not yet have meaning for tus.
matter, we have supposed that its us, it will manifest itself to us when he
parts have had various different mo- goes on to tell us that the motion of which Before proceeding to the third law, Des-
the philosophers, i.e., Aristotle and the cartes tells us that the first two laws fol-
tions from the moment they were cre-
scholastics, speak has a strange nature, low from the fact that God is immutable.
ated, and furthermore that they are in “for whereas all other things have their He then makes the following interesting
contact with each other on all sides perfection as an end and strive only to statement. “For supposing that God
without there being any void between preserve themselves, it has no other end placed a certain quantity of motion in all
any two of them. From this it follows and no other goal than rest and, contrary matter in general at the first instant he
necessarily that from the time they to all the laws of nature, it strives of its created it, we must either admit that he
began to move, they also began to own accord to destroy itself” (CSM, I, always preserves the same amount of
change and diversify their motions by 94). If we unpack this sentence carefully, motion in it, or not believe that he always
colliding with one another. So if God we see that Descartes is repudiating a acts in the same way” (CSM, I, 96).
teleological approach to nature. Hence What Descartes is providing us with here,
subsequently preserves them in the
there is no final cause for Descartes. even though he does not explicitly label it
same way that he created them, he There is no “striving” for earth or fire to as such, is a conservation law, one in
does not, preserve them in the same reach their natural places in the cosmos. which the quantity of all motion in the
state. That is to say, with God always Motion is a state and not a process of cosmos is conserved. Since God is im-
acting in the same way and conse- passing from one state to another, such as mutable and acts immutably, Descartes
quently always producing substan- the emergence from potency to act, as it determines that the quantity of motion in
tially the same effect, there are, as if is for Aristotle. As a process, it is some- nature does not change. It is a positive
by accident, many differences in this thing that will come to an end or in Des- quantity that neither increases nor de-
effect. And it is easy to accept that cartes’ words “destroy itself.” In becom- creases, but remains constant. If we are
God, who is . . . immutable, always ing an oak, the acorn no longer exists. perplexed as to what the term “quantity”
That is to say, for Aristotle, it is natural entails, Descartes clarifies it for us in his
acts in the same way. But without that a body tends to come to rest. For Principles of Nature, Part two, Article 36,
involving myself any further in these Descartes, if a body comes to rest, it does where he states the following:
metaphysical considerations, I shall not do so on its own. Motion in the larger
set out two or three of the principle sense as envisioned by Aristotle is bio- But nevertheless it [motion] has a cer-
rules according to which it must be logical. In contradistinction, Descartes’ tain determinate quantity; and this, we
thought that God causes the nature of model of motion is mechanical in nature. easily understand, may be constant in the
this new world to operate. These, I He is more interested in the size or speed, universe as a whole while varying in any
believe, will suffice to acquaint you i.e, quantitative properties, of a body in given part. Thus if one part of matter
with all the others (CSM, I, 93). motion than in any changes that may be moves twice as fast as another which is
occurring in the material body itself, i.e, twice as large, we must consider that
Because God is immutable, he will al- qualitative properties. Such a notion on there is the same quantity of motion in
ways operate in a manner that is immuta- Descartes’ part, in turn, represents a sig- each part; and if one part slows down, we
ble. If such is the case, there will be a nificant advance over the traditional must suppose that some other part of
definite design or pattern and it could not views of natural philosophy. equal size speeds up by the same amount.
be otherwise. “[W]ithout basing my ar- The second law put forth by Descartes in For we understand that God’s perfection
guments on any principle other than the The World is “that when one body pushes involves not only his being immutable in
infinite perfections of God, I tried to dem- another it cannot give the other any mo- himself, but also his operating in a man-
onstrate all those laws about which we tion unless it loses as much of its own ner that is always utterly constant and
could have any doubt, and to show that, motion at the same time; nor can it take immutable (CSM, I, 240).
even if God created many worlds, there away any of the other’s motion unless its
could not be any in which they failed to own is increased as much” (CSM, I, 94).
be observed” (CSM, I, 132). Thus from If we don’t immediately grasp the impli-
God’s immutability and the fact that he cation of this rule, Descartes quickly
also acts in the same way, Descartes de- points out to us its significance. “For,
rives three rules or laws of nature. having supposed the preceding rule, we
The first of these as stated in The World are free from the difficulty in which the
is “that each individual part of matter Schoolmen find themselves when they
continues always to be in the same state wish to explain why a stone continues to
so long as collision with others does not move for some time after leaving the

14
Oct 2006

So if we were unsure as to the meaning (CSM, I, 240). These particular causes ples required in physics are those of ge-
of the term “quantity,” and therefore what are then nothing other than the universal ometry and pure mathematics, and that
was conserved in totality, Descartes has principles of nature which we have seen such principles explain all natural phe-
now told us that it is “size times speed.” discussed above as the three laws of mo- nomena (CSM, I, 247). In such a mixed
Letting size = S and speed = V, and tion. It is through these universal princi- science certainly much has been gained,
keeping in mind what Descartes has told ples of nature that the total quantity of but we must always bear in mind that
us above, namely, that when one part of motion is distributed amongst individual something has been lost as well. Because
matter moves twice as fast as another material bodies. The changes that occur there is no final causality in mathematics,
which is twice as large there is the same in the many parts of matter cannot, Des- a mathematical physics denies final cau-
amount of motion in the smaller as in the cartes tells us, be attributed to the action sality in nature as well. Gone are Aris-
larger, we can then refine our conserva- of God since such action never changes. totle’s prime mover, final and formal cau-
tion formula to read as follows: Therefore, Descartes attributes these sality, and the sense of a material sub-
Q = Σ i S i V i = Constant, where the sub- changes to nature, and the rules by which strate in which a formal cause operates.
script “i” is used to express a range over these changes take place he calls the But even Descartes could not eliminate an
all parts of matter in the universe. It is “laws of nature” (CSM, I, 93). important role for God which, as we have
this formula that maintains the total quan- seen, consists in being the first efficient
tity of motion in the world. Such a for- Based on the foregoing, we can say that cause for everything which happens in the
mula is not surprising in a philosophy Descartes supposed that material bodies world.
which designates extension as the essence are characterized entirely by extension,
of matter. and that they moved in accordance with
1
Descartes adds, as a third rule, “that the laws of motion. He is interested in Rene Descartes, The Philosophical Writ-
when a body is moving, even though its the simple nature of things, and for him ings of Descartes, vol. I. trans. John
motion for the most part takes place along Aristotle’s definition of motion could not Cottingham, Robert Stoothoff, and
a curved path . . . yet each of its parts constitute a simple nature. Descartes, Dugald Murdoch (New York: Cambridge
individually tends always to continue above all, “delighted in mathematics, Univ. Press, 1985), 94. Hereinafter re-
moving along a straight line” (CSM, I, because of the certainty and self-evidence ferred to as CSM,
96). This follows from God’s preserving of its reasoning's” (CSM, I, 114), and in
each thing precisely as it is at the instant his Discourse, we see him developing a
he preserves it. Only motion in a straight method whereby he could apply mathe-
line, Descartes tells us, “is entirely simple matics to non-mathematical phenomenon
and has a nature which may be wholly (CSM, I, 126). This is in marked contrast
grasped in an instant” (CSM, I, 96). For to Aristotle. In his Physics, Bk II, Ch.2,
to conceive circular motion, it is neces- Aristotle distinguishes between the physi-
sary to conceive at least two of its parts cal and the mathematical. They, of
and hence at least two instants. While course, belong to different genera; ac-
God is the author of all motions in the cordingly, mathematics cannot be used to
world and in so far as they are rectilinear, explain phenomena that occur in nature
“it is the various dispositions of matter such as the motion of bodies. But, for
which render them irregular and curved” Descartes, this is not the case. In Rules
(CSM, I, 97). Thus Descartes is telling us for the Direction of the Mind, he tells us,
that God is the cause of all motion in the under Rule 4, that the exclusive concern
world, and that any change that occurs is of mathematics is with order or measure
the result of bodies colliding with each and that it is irrelevant whether the meas-
other. Gone then is final cause and in its ure involves numbers, shapes, stars, or
place we find instead a series of efficient sounds, for there must be a general sci-
causes going back to God who can be ence “which explains all the other points
viewed as the first efficient cause. that can be raised concerning order and
In The Principles, the laws as given measure irrespective of the subject-
above are presented in a different order. matter, and . . . this science should be
More significant, however, is a distinc- termed mathesis universalis” (CSM, I,
tion which Descartes offers to us in Part 19). Thus, Descartes is saying that all
Two, Article 36. Here Descartes states sciences are to be taken together and that
that the universal and primary cause of mathematics is the method that will per-
motion is God, but then he goes on to tell tain to them universally. Specifically, as
us that there is a particular cause “which related to physics and mathematics, he
produces in an individual piece of matter says in Principles of Philosophy, Part
some motion which it previously lacked” Two, under Rule 64, that the only princi-

15
Oct 2006

Spinoza and The Philosopher’s Stone - by César Tomé López

Spinoza is considered the greatest expo- dence between the Society and its coun- cusses philosophical (in today’s sense)
nent of the most radical rationalism. This terparts in the continent and gather infor- aspects but also, and in depth, others
stereotyped view prevents some to realize mation and data about researchers abroad. purely procedural details of the experi-
that Spinoza was also a scientist. Al- Just before he took the post over, Olden- ments carried out by Boyle, showing his
though he did not make great contribu- burg had met Spinoza in Amsterdam. familiarity with chemical theories, his
tions, the main one was probably the From that moment he kept correspon- knowledge of ingredients and tools and,
quality of the lens he supplied to Chris- dence with him regularly. There are sev- most importantly, his competence in ex-
tiaan Huygens, he had an above average eral letters known to us from this inter- perimental chemistry and in making use
knowledge of some branches of natural change, but only three are of interest now. of the scientific method of formulating
philosophy like alchemy/chemistry and a In these ones Spinoza shows an out- hypothesis and checking them experimen-
thorough grasp of modern scientific standing knowledge and competence in tally. In a word, Spinoza was a competent
method. Oddly for the stereotypical ra- chemistry. These letters are an exchange chemist.
tionalist he kept an open mind to new of opinions between Robert Boyle
discoveries relying on experimentation to (member of the Royal Society) and Spinoza only had received formal in-
confirm them. Spinoza, mediated by Oldenburg, in re- struction in Hebrew, the Torah and the
spect to some Boyles’ texts that the Sec- Talmud in one of the Portuguese syna-
The night of the 17th of January 1667 retary himself had sent to Spinoza in the gogues of the Jewish ghetto in Amster-
Johannes Friedrich Schweitzer turned a autumn of 1661: a copy in Latin (Spinoza dam. But he wanted more and, before his
little amount of lead into gold in a cruci- did not read English) of “some physio- excommunication from the community,
ble. Helvetius, as he signed his papers logical essays”, among them the Essay in 1654 or 1655, he had joined Frans van
written in Latin, said the experience had on Nitre . According to Oldenburg, Boyle den Enden´s school of Latin. Van den
taken place in The Hague. had written these essays to “show the Enden was a polymath. His pupils not
No need to say the great stir these news utility of chemistry to confirm the me- only received instruction in Latin but also
caused in the city and its outskirts. How- chanical principles of Philosophy”. This in arts and sciences. At that time very
ever, only three written references are was, precisely, the main point of discus- important alchemists/chemists were
known to us. First we have the work sion. working in Amsterdam, among them Paul
signed by Helvetius himself that was pub- Felgenhauer and Johannes Glauber. Van
lished shortly after the experiment took Robert Boyle is considered one of the den Enden used to attend the discussions
place: Vitulus Aureus quem Mundus Adu- fathers of modern chemistry. In The Skep- regarding chemical experiments held at
rat et Orat (Amsterdam, 1667). A men- tical Chemist he distinguishes between Glauber´s laboratory, where a lot of work
tion of the event can also be found in the element and compound when it was still was being done about nitre at the end of
preface that Hornius wrote for his edition common to make reference to the four the 1650s. Glauber is the “chemist of the
of the works of Geber (Leyden, 1668). traditional Aristotelian elements and the saline solutions”; his name is linked to
Finally the text that attracts our attention three alchemical the study of saline solutions and, still
most: the letter that Benedictus Spinoza today, sodium sulphate is called
sent to his friend Jellesz dated on the 27th principles (sulphur, salt and mercury). In Glauber´s salt. If Spinoza was so knowl-
of March 1667. the Essay on Nitre his aim was to demon- edgeable about nitre why not suppose that
strate experimentally that the distinctive he accompanied his master to Glauber´s
Heinrich Oldenburg was a German from features of nitre and its constituents lectures?
Bremen with an ample education in theol- (flavor, odor, etc) and, in general, those
ogy, Latin and science that decided to of any substance, could be explained be-
settle in England where he had a wide cause of the differences in shape, size,
network of contacts and friends. He had relationship and movement of its parti-
left in the continent also lots of relevant cles. Spinoza agrees with this corpuscular
acquaintances. At the beginning of 1660s explanation. However, he says that the
he joined a group of individuals that used fact that Nature operates only according
to meet at Gresham College to perform to mechanical philosophy is something
“experimental investigations into the se- that can not be demonstrated experimen-
crets of Nature”. Oldenburg became an tally but only by the intellect, the way
active member of this club and, when Descartes and Bacon had shown.
they formed the Royal Society in 1662,
he was appointed Secretary. Among his In his letters to Oldenburg, actually ad-
duties would be to keep the correspon- dressed to Boyle, Spinoza not only dis-

16
Oct 2006

So Spinoza had enough education, both do not know the conclusions Spinoza Nadler, Steven. Spinoza, a Life. Cam-
in theoretical and practical issues, to pro- arrived at after his investigations, though bridge University Press, 1999
ficiently assess what had happened in The one thing is sure: he kept his interest in
Hague in January 1667. Johannes Frie- alchemy/chemistry. In his short library Gerardin, Lucien. La Alquimia. Edicio-
drich Schweitzer was the physician to the there was a copy of Kerckrink’s Com- nes Martínez Roca 1973
Prince of Orange. According to Hel- mentarius in Currum Triumphalem Anti-
vetius’ (Latin form of Schweitzer, Swiss) monii Basilii Valentini that had been pub- García Font, Juan Historia de la Ciencia.
account on the 27th of December he re- lished in Amsterdam four years later, in Danae 1975
ceived the visit of a foreigner that would 1671.
not reveal his name but who said that he Shirley, Samuel (translator) The Letters
was presenting him the material evidence Still eight years afterwards, Schuller, a in Spinoza, Complete Works. Hackett
of the existence of the philosopher’s friend and a physician, writes to Spinoza Publishing Company, 2002
stone. Why he chose the physician for telling him that he has been able to obtain
such a revelation is something that Hel- gold from antimony. Spinoza answers, in
vetius does not tell us. After a long con- purely technical grounds, that it could
versation where the alchemist explains have not been possible but does not deny
the principles of his science, he shows a the possibility that it could be done and
metallic yellow powder making the prom- blames the procedure for the failure.
ise of coming back in three weeks. The Schuller answers asking Spinoza to pro-
scheduled day the alchemist comes back ceed himself with the experiment, as he
and gives some of the philosopher’s stone has sent him the Processus. Spinoza, al-
to Helvetius with instructions about how ready ill (he would die in months), and
to proceed in the experiment. The follow- living in a social environment not at all
ing night the physician made the experi- favourable, replied that he did not think
ment: he melts fifty grams of lead in a he would have the time.
crucible then he adds, covered with wax,
the philosopher’s stone and let the mix on Spinoza’s philosophical system is the last
the fire for a quarter of an hour. After this comprehensive system in the history of
time the metal has a characteristic green- Western philosophy. Difficult to under-
ish yellow colour. After pouring and stand and rich in nuances of meaning it
cooling, the metal has the very same ap- has shadowed the figure of its author. The
pearance of gold. The silversmith that little sample we have just presented may
tests it the following morning certifies it give a glimpse of the richness of one of
is gold. the most beautiful minds in the history of
mankind.
In his Principia (third part; the only pla-
ce it talks about chemistry) Descartes said
that “matter, with the help of these laws
1
[of Nature], takes successively all forms Cristiann Huygens (1629-1695). Dutch
it is able to take”. Spinoza, very influen- mathematician and physicist. Promoter of
ced by Descartes, faced what had happe- the wave conception of light.
ned in The Hague with an open mind.
2
The news was so important that he pre- Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan (721-815).
pared to check the facts himself. Spinoza “The father of Arab chemistry”.
tells us what he did in the letter he sent to
3
his friend Jellesz. First he contacted a Isaac Vossius (1618-1689) Famous for
colleague of Huygens, and his friend, a his library now at University of Leyden
researcher in the fields of optics and the
nature of light: Isaac Vossius. Vossius
simply laughed at him. Undeterred, he
visited Brechtelt, the silversmith that had Bibliography
tested the gold. He told him that the gold
had increased its weight when he had Gabbey, Alan. Spinoza’s Natural Science
mixed it with silver. Then he visited Hel- and Methodology in The Cambridge
vetius himself that showed him the cruci- Companion to Spinoza, edited by Don
ble and commented on his intention of Garret. Cambridge University Press, 1996
writing an account of the experiment. We

17
Oct 2006

A Legacy of Logical Art - by Jonathan Wai (2006)

Isaac Newton once remarked that “he Logicaus Strictimanus 24 would be, as both a test form and answer sheet, with
had seen farther by standing on the shoul- Predavec would say, the “child” of LS 36, bits of information on both sides of the
ders of giants,” whereas Robert Burton, a or its natural extension. However, as equation that must be linked. In that it
vicar who was attempting to copy into Lato would note, even though there was a mimics the architecture of the Bongard
one volume all knowledge yet discovered visual similarity between the tests, it was Problems (first introduced by M. M. Bon-
added in personal allusion that “A dwarf “skin deep,” an apt characterization, in gard) and discussed in Douglas Hofstad-
standing on the shoulders of a giant may that beyond the second dimension of the ter’s famous book, Gödel, Escher, Bach:
see farther than a giant himself” (Gleick, printout, the world of the z-axis could Eternal Golden Braid. Gunnarsson has
2003, p.3 and 15). The dwarf may indeed represent the deeply mysterious un- added to the unique database of these
be slightly higher, but depending upon known, awaiting infinite discovery. problems, which are now being system-
how far he wishes to see, and how well he atically investigated by one of Hofstad-
is able to do so, depends, more fittingly, Unifying the two worlds would be like ter’s students, for example, to see if a
upon his vision. uniting two spatial races, or possibly computer can solve them as quickly as
Snow’s (1959) two cultures, yet it seemed humans.
Logima Strictica 36 + 24 =? that by introducing the 6 and the 4 (which
nicely fit to make 10), Robert already had It seems that at a similar time Foritensum
Inspired by the Raven’s matrices to de- predestined this union long ago. Now, it was being invented, I was gestating the
sign something of his own was a dream. feels as if one could not exist without the beginnings of Strict Logic Spatial Exami-
Over the course of a year, fresh ideas other. Although of the two tests, the sec- nation 48, and Predavec, who has also
would periodically surface into his ond is shorter, its intellectual ceiling, ac- achieved the current high score of 28
mind’s region of logical perfection, and cording to Robert, remains the same. (well ahead of the next still impressive
only then would he let them take form And, as many in the online community 20.5, earned by Ivan Ivec, also from
upon paper, the interacting elements of would lovingly joke, only an alien could Croatia), mentioned that Ivec has stated
Logima Strictica, or as those who would score perfectly on them both. that a score above 30 would be sensa-
spend their minds and time decoding its tional, as the ceiling is likely untouchable
mysterious figures and shapes would pet Foritensum and SLSE 48 (at least by a human).
name it, “LS.”
Gunnarsson, who studied engineering SLSE 48, which includes as its center
Robert Lato, a Swedish businessman by physics, and who modestly remarks his point, literally LS (SLSE), was created in
trade, who had many new ideas for inter- memory might only be “average,” would a concentrated period, and is what I con-
locking tile patterns, but little interest in say that “you have to trust [LS] or it will sider to be my hardest test. I believe it
reading books, was able to express to the defeat you.” Apparently trust worked for demands not only a logical abstract mind,
world, through LS 36 and 24 what Nik him, as he defeated what Paul Cooi- but also, and maybe even more important,
Lygeros, a French mathematician, would jman’s, a programmer from the Nether- the ability to creatively imagine. How-
call, “the most elegant spatial proof of lands would say was “what he thought” to ever, just as Gunnarsson has hypothe-
[the intellect’s] beauty.” be his “hardest test,” a labyrinth of logic sized, those who score high on typical
reaching the fourth dimension, the Daeda- intelligence tests probably will also score
Logima Strictica 36, first introduced in lus, which allowed Andreas to enter the similarly on tests such as LS, Foritensum,
the Swedish Mensa journal Legatus Men- Giga Society, with a “theoretical” cutoff and SLSE. This is most likely due to
sae in 1999, proved to be so difficult that of six standard deviations above the aver- Charles Spearman’s “indifference of the
the highest score remains 27 even several age. indicator,” or that g (general intelligence)
years later, achieved by only two indi- is involved in every mental activity, in-
viduals, Andreas Gunnarsson, a Swedish Fortunately, inspired by LS, Andreas cre- cluding high level puzzle tests like the
cryptographer and member of the Giga ated Foritensum, which he says, “requires aforementioned. To what extent g oper-
Society, and Mislav Predavec, a Croatian a determined logical mind to be solved.” ates is a separate yet intriguing question.
businessman and recreational mathemati- Part of the test, just like LS, is to “figure
cian. One of them would later be inspired out what to do.” In the unenlightened test SLSE I and II
by the magic of LS to create a figural test space, first you have to find the flashlight,
of his own. Yet Robert had more of his and only then, after some fumbling in the Alongside SLSE 48, Strict Logic Se-
mind’s creation to share, that is, in the blackness, can you finally begin to see. quences Examination Form I and II were
form of another test. also created simultaneously. These tests,
Foritensum is unique in that it includes although requiring no formal

18
Oct 2006

knowledge of math, “just” the ability to References


recognize patterns in numbers, have at-
tracted over 150 people from all over the Gleick, J. (2003). Isaac Newton.
world to attempt to solve them. The cur-
rent top scorer of 40 (out of 50) on SLSE Hardy, G. H. (1967). A mathematicians
I, Gaetan Polard, is a young chess grand- apology.
master and mathematician from France,
who was inspired (among others) by Hofstadter, D. (1999). Gödel, Escher,
SLSE to create his own test. This again Bach: Eternal golden braid.
highlights the overabundance of mathe-
maticians, physicists and computer scien- Snow, C. P. (1959). The two cultures.
tists who score the highest on these types
of tests.
Tests
Magical Logic
Logima Strictica 36 -
As I prepared to write this short essay on http://www.eskimo.com/~miyaguch/ls36/
these tests (or puzzles) of logical abstrac-
tion, I paged through each test, examining LS36.html -
the items, my mind already beginning to http://www.eskimo.com/~miyaguch/ls36/LS36.html
form new possible solutions, and I could
feel, once again, the magnetism and ex- Logicaus Strictimanus 24 -
http://news.generiq.net/LS24/ls24.html
citement of unlocking their mysteries. Foritensum - http://foritensum.zzlevo.net/

As G. H. Hardy (1967, p. 113), the re- SLSE 48 -


nowned Cambridge mathematician would http://news.generiq.net/SLSE48/slse48.html
say of a mathematical theorem (and thus
proof): “there is a very high degree of SLSE Form I -
unexpectedness, combined with inevita- http://paulcooijmans.lunarpages.com/p/gliaweb/tests
bility and economy. The arguments take /slse.html
so odd and surprising a form; the weap-
ons used seem so childishly simple.” SLSE Form II -
http://paulcooijmans.lunarpages.com/p/gliaweb/tests
/slse2.html
I remember when I first began to
“discover” some of the solutions to
Robert Lato’s tests, and was simply People
struck by the magical structure in the spa-
tial solution. Yet as a Chinese idiom
Cooijmans, Paul - http://giga.iqsociety.org/
wisely reminds, “water always comes
from somewhere.”
Gunnarsson, Andreas - http://www.zzlevo.net/
Robert Lato, a seemingly simple man
Lygeros, Nik - http://www.lygeros.org/
with an extraordinary mind, although
hoping to remain anonymous, through the
Predavec, Mislav - http://www.strictiq.org/
intellectual charm of his work, will be
remembered (in our community) by the
many LS explorers, as well as those who
experienced his work as a source of their
Other
creative vision, and who followed, yet
expanded, upon his original dream. The Bongard Problems -
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~hfoundal/research.html

I invite you to experience the beauty of


Lato’s legacy.

19
Oct 2006

Art

Autumn - by Julie Tribes

Autumn Flowers

Penguin colonies assemble on the sea ice

20
Oct 2006

Main Museum of Antwerp by Emiel Verlinden

After a hot summer afternoon


We had rain coming so soon
It was quite a refreshment
And as a bonus the development
Of a beautiful crown
In Antwerp my hometown

21
Oct 2006

Tropical Lights by Thomas Baumer

Mauritius, March 2006


I was inspired to take this picture before the sunset in a tropical garden.

22

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