Physical, emotional forces define human life

Religious Views, by Art Carney

In the beginning, there were two things -- an intelligent inclination toward common sense and an emotional urge for action, which together gave meaning to the word logic; and -- simply because it was present -- logic kept the darkness of empty space from being a perfect vacuum.

Evidently, intelligence and emotion re omnipresent, and their union formed a primordial kind of logic that must be the substance of the universe because -- according to ancient philosophers, "Something cannot come from nothing." Somehow, the presence of logic gave birth to a basic kind of primal energy that is expressed in a continuing series of causes and effects.

Even though science and religion offer different explanations of the universe and our place in it -- such as the Big Bang Theory and the concept of God -- there will always be an element of mystery about the existence of things. But in spite of the mystery, our knowledge of magnetism and electricity may reveal that the source of primal energy can be found in the similarities between the dual nature of logic and the dual nature of a magnet.

When we compare the north and south poles of a magnet to the intelligent and emotional natures of logic, we can see how the workings of a magnet may be a reflection of the workings of logic. If we think of primordial logic as being a giant magnet in the sky, then we can liken its two natures to the two poles of an ordinary magnet.

We know the poles of a magnet are surrounded by lines of force, and we also know that crossing the magnetic lines of force with a wire conductor produces positive electricity at one pole and negative electricity at the other pole.

These facts make it easier to think of the two natures o logic as being the poles of a logical magnet that was present in the emptiness of space. In a sense, one nature of logic is the manifestation of an intelligent inclination -- and it corresponds to the north pole of a magnet -- and the other nature of logic is the manifestation of an emotional urge, at the south pole of a magnet.

With that picture in mind, we can assume that the two poles of primordial logic are surrounded by a force field, and that something activates it the same way that a wire conductor activates magnetic lines of force. The result is the constant presence of primal energy.

In other words, primordial logic contains the power and the principles of the universe; the power comes from the logical field of force, and the principles come from the intelligence and emotion that constitute the nature of logic. Primordial logic is surrounded by a field of force that generates primal energy, and the energy is expressed through intelligence and emotion as physical and emotional force.

The laws of physics govern the electromagnetism that contributes to the substance and behavior of matter, while the emotional aspects of fear and desire govern the survival and behavior of living things. Simply put, electromagnetism is the intelligent expression of logic that "creates" matter, while the emotional nature of logic "creates" life.

Although this concept of primordial logic is ill-suited to scientific investigation and is contrary to most religious beliefs, it does provide insight into a different understanding of our human place in the scheme of things.

Life is a product of emotion that has evolved from the struggle for survival in microbes, to the mind of man and the different aspects and intensities of emotion that lead to spirituality -- which is an evolving awareness of reality. The more emotional experience we acquire, the more we appreciate the value of human life.

Compared to our vast knowledge of physical force, we know very little about the force of emotion, which is as mysterious to us now as physical force was to our ancestors. Because emotional awareness can only be experienced at the individual level, we must do our own thinking about how we truly think and feel, but our thoughts and feelings are often confused by the single-minded beliefs of organized religion. Although most of our time and effort must necessarily be spent attending to our physical and cultural needs, the real quality of our life is found in the quite times of reflection and awareness that result from pursuing and achieving our higher aspirations and personal goals.

The emotional aspects of human life are what give it meaning and purpose.

Art Carney is a Wasilla resident and frequent contributor to the Religion page.