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MATERIA NON MEDICA: ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE UNDERSTANDING, BY BENEDICT SPINOZA/ SHERLOCK HOLMES IN PALINDROMES

Thursday, 30th of December 2010 Print

MATERIA NON MEDICA: ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE UNDERSTANDING, BY BENEDICT SPINOZA/ SHERLOCK HOLMES IN PALINDROMES

 My last update of 2010.
 

1) When in New York,   visit the vast collections of the New York Public Library, accessible athttp://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/three-faiths-judaism-christianity-islam 

Thanks to reader Ian Pett for this weblink to their Three Faiths exhibition.

2) Tks to reader Tony Burton for copying me on Spinozas rules of life. To get to the punch line, scroll down to the bottom and read the points in Roman numerals.


On the Improvement of the Understanding, by Benedict Spinoza

After experience had taught me that all the usual surroundings of social life are vain and futile; seeing that none of the objects of my fears contained in themselves anything either good or bad, except in so far as the mind is affected by them, I finally resolved to inquire whether there might be some real good having power to communicate itself, which would affect the mind singly, to the exclusion of all else: whether, in fact, there might be anything of which the discovery and attainment would enable me to enjoy continuous, supreme, and unending happiness.

I say "I finally resolved," for at first sight it seemed unwise willingly to lose hold on what was sure for the sake of something then uncertain. I could see the benefits which are acquired through fame and riches, and that I should be obliged to abandon the quest of such objects, if I seriously devoted myself to the search for something different and new. I perceived that if true happiness chanced to be placed in the former I should necessarily miss it; while if, on the other hand, it were not so placed, and I gave them my whole attention, I should equally fail.

Of the ordinary objects of mens desires 


I therefore debated whether it would not be possible to arrive at the new principle, or at any rate at a certainty concerning its existence, without changing the conduct and usual plan of my life; with this end in view I made many efforts, in vain. For the ordinary surroundings of life which are esteemed by men (as their actions testify) to be the highest good, may be classed under the three heads - Riches, Fame, and the Pleasures of Sense: with these three the mind is so absorbed that it has little power to reflect on any different good.

By sensual pleasure the mind is enthralled to the extent of quiescence, as if the supreme good were actually attained, so that it is quite incapable of thinking of any other object; when such pleasure has been gratified it is followed by extreme melancholy, whereby the mind, though not enthralled, is disturbed and dulled. The pursuit of honors and riches is likewise very absorbing, especially if such objects be sought simply for their own sake, [a] inasmuch as they are then supposed to constitute the highest good.

In the case of fame the mind is still more absorbed, for fame is conceived as always good for its own sake, and as the ultimate end to which all actions are directed. Further, the attainment of riches and fame is not followed as in the case of sensual pleasures by repentance, but, the more we acquire, the greater is our delight, and, consequently, the more are we incited to increase both the one and the other; on the other hand, if our hopes happen to be frustrated we are plunged into the deepest sadness. Fame has the further drawback that it compels its votaries to order their lives according to the opinions of their fellow-men, shunning what they usually shun, and seeking what they usually seek.

When I saw that all these ordinary objects of desire would be obstacles in the way of a search for something different and new - nay, that they were so opposed thereto, that either they or it would have to be abandoned, I was forced to inquire which would prove the most useful to me: for, as I say, I seemed to be willingly losing hold on a sure good for the sake of something uncertain. However, after I had reflected on the matter, I came in the first place to the conclusion that by abandoning the ordinary objects of pursuit, and betaking myself to a new quest, I should be leaving a good, uncertain by reason of its own nature, as may be gathered from what has been said, for the sake of a good not uncertain in its nature (for I sought for a fixed good), but only in the possibility of its attainment.

Further reflection convinced me that if I could really get to the root of the matter I should be leaving certain evils for a certain good. I thus perceived that I was in a state of great peril, and I compelled myself to seek with all my strength for a remedy, however uncertain it might be; as a sick man struggling with a deadly disease, when he sees that death will surely be upon him unless a remedy be found, is compelled to seek a remedy with all his strength, inasmuch as his whole hope lies therein. All the objects pursued by the multitude not only bring no remedy that tends to preserve our being, but even act as hindrances, causing the death not seldom of those who possess them, [b] and always of those who are possessed by them.

There are many examples of men who have suffered persecution even to death for the sake of their riches, and of men who in pursuit of wealth have exposed themselves to so many dangers, that they have paid away their life as a penalty for their folly. Examples are no less numerous of men, who have endured the utmost wretchedness for the sake of gaining or preserving their reputation. Lastly, are innumerable cases of men, who have hastened their death through over-indulgence in sensual pleasure.

All these evils seem to have arisen from the fact, that happiness or unhappiness is made wholly dependent on the quality of the object which we love. When a thing is not loved, no quarrels will arise concerning it - no sadness be felt if it hatred, in short no disturbances of the mind. All these arise from the love of what is perishable, such as the objects already mentioned.

But love towards a thing eternal and infinite feeds the mind wholly with joy, and is itself unmingled with any sadness, wherefore it is greatly to be desired and sought for with all our strength. Yet it was not at random that I used the words, "If I could go to the root of the matter," for, though what I have urged was perfectly clear to my mind, I could not forthwith lay aside all love of riches, sensual enjoyment, and fame.

One thing was evident, namely, that while my mind was employed with these thoughts it turned away from its former objects of desire, and seriously considered the search for a new principle; this state of things was a great comfort to me, for I perceived that the evils were not such as to resist all remedies. Although these intervals were at first rare, and of very short duration, yet afterwards, as the true good became more and more discernible to me, they became more frequent and more lasting; especially after I had recognized that the acquisition of wealth, sensual pleasure, or fame, is only a hindrance, so long as they are sought as ends not as means; if they be sought as means, they will be under restraint, and, far from being hindrances, will further not a little the end for which they are sought, as I will show in due time.

Of the true and final good

I will here only briefly state what I mean by true good, and also what is the nature of the highest good. In order that this may be rightly understood, we must bear in mind that the terms good and evil are only applied relatively, so that the same thing may be called both good and bad according to the relations in view, in the same way as it may be called perfect or imperfect. Nothing regarded in its own nature can be called perfect or imperfect; especially when we are aware that all things which come to pass, come to pass according to the eternal order and fixed laws of nature.

However, human weakness cannot attain to this order in its own thoughts, but meanwhile man conceives a human character much more stable than his own, and sees that there is no reason why he should not himself acquire such a character. Thus he is led to seek for means which will bring him to this pitch of perfection, and calls everything which will serve as such means a true good. (13:3) The chief good is that he should arrive, together with other individuals if possible, at the possession of the aforesaid character. What that character is we shall show in due time, namely, that it is the knowledge of the union existing being the mind and the whole of nature. [c]

This, then, is the end for which I strive, to attain to such a character myself, and to endeavor that many should attain to it with me. In other words, it is part of my happiness to lend a helping hand, that many others may understand even as I do, so that their understanding and desire may entirely agree with my own. In order to bring this about, it is necessary to understand as much of nature as will enable us to attain to the aforesaid character, and also to form a social order such as is most conducive to the attainment of this character by the greatest number with the least difficulty and danger.

We must seek the assistance of Moral Philosophy [d] and the Theory of Education; further, as health is no insignificant means for attaining our end, we must also include the whole science of Medicine, and, as many difficult things are by contrivance rendered easy, and we can in this way gain much time and convenience, the science of Mechanics must in no way be despised.

But before all things, a means must be devised for improving the understanding and purifying it, as far as may be at the outset, so that it may apprehend things without error, and in the best possible way. Thus it is apparent to everyone that I wish to direct all science to one end [e] and aim, so that we may attain to the supreme human perfection which we have named; and, therefore, whatsoever in the sciences does not serve to promote our object will have to be rejected as useless. To sum up the matter in a word, all our actions and thoughts must be directed to this one end.

Certain rules of life


Yet, as it is necessary that while we are endeavoring to attain our purpose, and bring the understanding into the right path we should carry on our life, we are compelled first of all to lay down certain rules of life as provisionally good, to wit the following:-

 

        I.            To speak in a manner intelligible to the multitude, and to comply with every general custom that does not hinder the attainment of our purpose. For we can gain from the multitude no small advantages, provided that we strive to accommodate ourselves to its understanding as far as possible: moreover, we shall in this way gain a friendly audience for the reception of the truth.

       II.            To indulge ourselves with pleasures only in so far as they are necessary for preserving health.

     III.            Lastly, to endeavor to obtain only sufficient money or other commodities to enable us to preserve our life and health, and to follow such general customs as are consistent with our purpose.

Having laid down these preliminary rules, I will betake myself to the first and most important task, namely, the amendment of the understanding, and the rendering it capable of understanding things in the manner necessary for attaining our end. In order to bring this about, the natural order demands that I should here recapitulate all the modes of perception, which I have hitherto employed for affirming or denying anything with certainty, so that I may choose the best, and at the same time begin to know my own powers and the nature which I wish to perfect.

 

3) SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW/ I DREAMED A DREAM

For the musically inclined, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O-LDea7SHY

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BvBkTmDWBA&NR=1&feature=fvwp

 

4) Holmes in Palindromes (encore performance from 2009)

Holmes and I were ensconced in his Baker Street rooms on a December night of truly exceptional gloom. The great man was wreathed in grey smoke, and was tapping the tobacco from his pipe. A winter drizzle had descended over London, and Holmes was in no holiday mood, since the dismal winter had brought him no insoluble conundrums, no scandals in Bohemia, to tax his formidable powers.

“Watson, Im at cross purposes with myself. Ever since the passing of Professor Moriarty, I have had little to amuse myself. I have nothing to keep busy other than beekeeping and palindromes.”

“Sorry, Holmes, did you say palindromes?”

“Yes, theyre actually quite elementary. Words or phrases which read the same way even if read from right to left. Ada, for example, or Able was I ere I saw Elba, ” or "Snug & raw was I ere I saw war & guns.

“Mmm, a bit abstruse for me. If I were you, I would stick to beekeeping. Much more practical.” Holmes was always going off on a tangent. He had a taste for the theoretical and the speculative which complicated his dealings with Lestrade and the management of Scotland Yard.

Mrs. Hudson could be heard on the stairs. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Holmes, but you have some rather important visitors.”

“Oh, dear, what dreary business this time? See them in.”

“Mr. Holmes,” said the first of our visitors, “sorry to break into your holiday cheer, but we have a matter of immense moment.”

“Prime Minister, Mycroft, to what do we owe this unseasonal visit? In any case, my holiday is not cheery. Nothing could please me more than a convoluted case, especially if it breaks the monotony.”

Mrs. Hudson brought in tea on a special silver service reserved only for the high and mighty. “Here you are, Prime Minister, Mycroft. Would you care for lemon?”

The Prime Minister demurred. He was in the process of recruiting Holmes from retirement.

“We think, Holmes, that some continental power has purloined the plans for our most advanced submarine. With war on the horizon, we would like you to trace them and safely return them to the Admiralty.”

The details of this little adventure have already appeared in my narrative of the Bruce-Partington Plans. What has never been revealed before was Holmess report to the Prime Minister. In a breach of good manners, Holmes wrote his final report in the form of a dialogue, not unfamiliar to readers of the Musgrave Ritual. For Holmes, however, the dialogue responses were all in the form of palindromes, a rather cavalier way of treating our greatest statesman. Here is the dialogue, which has never before seen the light of day.


FINAL REPORT FOR THE PRIME MINISTER

Q: Where were the submarine plans kept by the thieves?

A: A prewar dresser drawer, Pa.

Q: Did the thieves have a target price for the sale of the submarine plans?

A: Must sell at tallest sum.

Q: Once the plans were retrieved and returned to the Admiralty, did the conspirators retain any copies of the secret plans?

A: No trace; not one carton.

Q: Do you think that some of your Scotland Yard investigators stooped to unorthodox methods in recovering the plans?

A: Kay, a red nude, peeped under a yak.

Q: Is it also true that one of your younger men dressed up in petticoats to extract information, under false pretenses, from the continental conspirators?

A: Dennis sinned.

Q: Did the British government stoop to the use of special personnel in retrieving the plans?

A: Solo gigolos.

Q: How did you dispose of the chief perpetrator? Did his case go to court? Where is he now?

A: Oozy rat in a sanitary zoo.

Q: Is it true that this whole problem was solved without recourse to the graduates of Oxford or Cambridge? Was there no uplifting Latin motto at your alma mater?

A: Campus Motto: Bottoms up, Mac

Q: So how do you view the current European situation? Are we moving towards peace or war?

A: Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?


Q: Are you sending an ultimatum to the Kaiser if he refuses to withdraw from Belgium?

A: Go deliver a dare, vile dog!

Q: What is likely to be his response?

A: “I, man, am regal. A German am I.”

Q: And if he rejects the note?

A: Now, sir, a war is won.

 


Happy holidays/boas festas/joyeuses fêtes/Felices fiestas

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