Day 14
October 26th - Three Parts, One Aim.
"The best and the greatest number of authors have asserted that philosophy consists of three parts: the moral, the natural, and the rational. The first puts the soul in order. The second thoroughly examines the natural order of things. The third inquires into the proper meaning of words, and their arrangements and proofs which keep falsehoods from creeping into displace truth"
- Seneca, Moral Letters, 89.9
From Author:
"These three parts - the moral, the natural, and the rational - have one aim. As different as they are, they have the same purpose: to help you live a good life ruled by reason. Not in the future, but right now."
Focusing on the 'rational' for this first part, because it deals with the proper meaning of words, arrangements and proofs. Keeping what is true (to nature and the natural order of things), true.
In our every day lives we have people telling us all kinds of things they claim as true, despite them clearly, to the rational thinker, being complete falsehoods. People are confused.
Merriam-Webster dictionary a few years ago added to the definition 'literally', 'figuratively/virtually'. Changing the definition from truth to loose exaggeration of the truth.
Words matter, usage of the correct terminology matters, and intentions with using words need to be rooted in truth.
Harkening back to a previous post I talked about a book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, one of the other four agreements discussed was "Be impeccable with your word." Speak truth without trying to convince people of something that isn't rational, natural or that which puts the soul in order.