Explorations of True Freedom and Global Balance: A Philosophical Adventure for Our Times

By Daniel John

EXPLORATIONS OF TRUE~FREEDOM & GLOBAL~BALANCE {A philosophical adventure for our times...}

By:
Daniel John.
Copyright 2007 by Daniel John.

This work is an empowering philosophical adventure for our times...

We are going, here, on a robust, analytical, creative, and frequently comical, expedition into some of the most important areas of the human experience of all time...and of right now...

We will explore various areas of:

~Nature around us...
~Human Nature around us...
~Beliefs of Groups...
~Ancient Scriptures...
~Struggles for Power...
~Balances of Powers...
~Wars...
~The Concept of Grooviness...!
~Current Global Political Events...
~Current Wars against Terrorism...
~Current Dangers and Alleged Plots against Humanity Itself...
~Future Potential Events of Humanity...
~Super~Secret Strategies of Super~Champions of Freedom...
~Great Potential Triumphs...
~And much more...

The territories are enormously vast... {Fortunately, along the way we will stop to enjoy fine~cuisine as often as possible...}

But we will have to keep moving...

And we may {or may not} be surprised to find that many lives are depending upon the proper balance of powers...including the lives of everyone that we know...

{All of this will be another triumph amongst our many heroic exploits...}

{If we survive...}

{And even if not...}

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
MISSION #1:
SEARCHING~OUT THE ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS:

AREA #1: BALANCE, ORDER, BEAUTY, AND EXCELLENCE:

AREA #2: TRUTH:

AREA #3: THE ORIGINAL~SOURCE:

AREA #4: WHY DO WE EXIST?:

AREA #5: WHAT IS THE "CHARACTER" OF THE ORIGINAL~SOURCE?:

MISSION #2:
GATHERING MORE EVIDENCE:
AREA #6: EXPLORING ANCIENT WRITINGS:

AREA #7: COMPARING ANCIENT WRITINGS:

AREA #8: THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS OF THE BIBLE:

AREA #9: A TRULY~GREAT MILESTONE:

MISSION #3:
EXPLORING THE WORKS OF HUMANITY:

AREA #10: ADVANTAGE:

AREA #11: THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER:

AREA #12: BALANCES OF POWER:

AREA #13: ANARCHY:

AREA #14: TYRANNY:

AREA #15: PSEUDO~RELIGION:

AREA #16: EXPLORING PSEUDO~RELIGION IN POLITICAL SYSTEMS:

MISSION #4:
MORE DYNAMICS OF HUMAN NATURE:

AREA #17: ROCK~AND~ROLL FREEDOM:

AREA #18: AVOIDING EXCESSIVE~STUPIDITY:

AREA #19: MOOD SWINGS:

AREA #20: EXPLORING THE ORIGINS OF GROOVINESS:

MISSION #5:
OBSERVING SOME DYNAMICS OF FREEDOM:

AREA #21: OBSERVING BALANCES OF FREEDOM IN NATURE:

AREA #22: OBSERVING SOME DYNAMICS OF FREEDOM IN POLITICAL SYSTEMS:

AREA #23: OBSERVING FAILURES IN THE BALANCE OF FREEDOM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

AREA #24: OBSERVING SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF FREEDOM:

MISSION #6:
EXPLORING CONFLICT:

AREA #25: EXPLORING: DEFENSE:

AREA #26: EXPLORING: "ATTACK":

AREA #27: EXPLORING EXCELLENCE IN ATTACK STRATEGY:

AREA #28: PERSONAL SECURITY AND NATIONAL SECURITY:

MISSION #7:
OBSERVING GLOBAL CURRENTS:

AREA #29: BRIEFLY OBSERVING SOME GLOBAL POWER~GROUPS:

AREA #30: BRIEFLY OBSERVING SOME SPECIFIC NATIONS:

AREA #31: AFGHANISTAN:

AREA #32: IRAQ:

AREA #33: SYRIA:

AREA #34: IRAN:

AREA #35: NORTH KOREA:

AREA #36: PAKISTAN:

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 9, 2007
• ISBN: 9781462821723

Daniel John

Daniel John lives in Vancouver, BC, and writes to make God's Word more easily understood. He is the author of:- FIVE COLUMN: The Synoptic Gospel- The Synoptic Gospel: The Story of The Life of Jesus- The Red Letter Gospel: All The Words of Jesus Christ in Red- The Sola Scriptura Topical Bible- Bible Light Topical Bible: 56 Major Symbols- The Seven Symbols series

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Copyright © 2007 by Daniel John.

ISBN:    Softcover    1-4257-4107-X

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Contents

INTRODUCTION

MISSION #1

MISSION #2

MISSION #3

MISSION #4

MISSION #5

MISSION #6

MISSION #7

MISSION #8

MISSION #9

MISSION #10

MISSION #11

MISSION #12

SOME SOURCES

This book is dedicated to TRUTH, and the power thereof . . .

INTRODUCTION

The world is a painful place . . . and complex . . . and dangerous . . .

In fact, if life in this world were not so painful, it would be more humorous, that it is actually so complex and dangerous, that no one seems to get out of it alive . . .

{As far as we can see . . . }

It may {or may not} be, that as we move forward in time, we find that the dangers facing humanity are also increasing in both number, and complexity.

But whether they are increasing or not, the many dangers, problems, and pains of this life are already plenteous. And, therefore, the decisions that we all make, as individuals, and as groups, every day, are always extremely important.

The better we are at dealing with the many problems that we may face, the better it will be for us . . .

But how can we be more effective at dealing with them?

What can we learn about them . . . ?

Can some problems be minimized, or even eliminated, in some ways?

Are there some kinds of patterns that we can see?

We are looking for these answers and solutions almost every day . . .

On this expedition we are going to try to brighten our understanding of many of the most difficult areas in the human experience . . . and a great deal more . . .

One of our basic intentions in our missions here will be to try to get to the best possible view~points, and vantage~points that we can, of reality around us, and to search for greater perfection, from there . . .

If we can get any glimpses of perfection, then perhaps we can head in that direction . . .

But what is perfection . . . ?

What would be perfection for humanity . . . ?

Or, how could we begin to explore the kinds of ideal conditions that probably every single human being in the world has been searching for . . . all of their lives . . . throughout all of human history? If there is any real perfection, we will see if we can discover it, and explore what we suspect to be some of the most important areas of it.

And so, we will begin an intriguing, and intense, search to identify, explore, and try to understand, one of the most highly~elusive, and yet universal ideals that exist, which we will begin to describe as . . .

TRUE~FREEDOM . . .

And the entire concept of true~freedom is one of those vast concepts that we somehow, instinctively know are of the highest importance, and yet, are still, often extremely difficult to actually define or explain.

It may, at first, seem too esoteric, or impractical, or of no use for us to even discuss true~freedom . . . as if it is an ideal too unrealistic, or too lofty, for us in our pragmatic, or materialistic, daily existence.

We might {understandably} not be able to {or want to} spend much time talking about searching for some kinds of abstract, philosophical concepts, unless we think that it will benefit us significantly . . .

But we are gong to quickly see that we have already been searching for true~freedom for most of our lives . . .

{ . . . and also, so has probably every other human being that has ever lived . . . }

And we are quickly going to realize that we do, in fact, very much desire, if not even need, to experience true~freedom in our lives, and to enjoy the benefits of it.

As we embark upon this work, we are going to basically, combine, or blend, our explorations of some various, wide~ranging, philosophical areas of human experience and see how they affect the very matter~of~fact, concrete realities around us.

We are also going to explore a great deal of human dynamics in individuals, and in groups, and we are going to explore various political patterns, and currents that seem to exist . . .

And, as we are searching for an understanding of true~freedom . . .

Then, we are almost certainly going to want to know:

What is . . . TRUTH?

And . . .

What is . . . FREEDOM?

Although we may never be able to fully grasp the understanding of these vast ideals in even one human lifetime in this world, nonetheless, we can almost certainly learn, and benefit, a great deal more from them by some diligent exploration . . .

In fact, as we search for, and hopefully discover, truths about freedom, we will almost certainly find vast treasures, with potentially limitless relevance to our world today.

Furthermore, we will begin to understand, almost {or indeed} prophetically, much more about the paths that our own lives, and the rest of humanity, have traveled, are currently traveling, and will potentially travel into the future, as each moment unfolds . . .

Our adventure has many facets, and many analogies . . .

One facet is that of philosophical~cartography, wherein, we are making maps of all of the ideological~terrain that we can discover, and can absorb, and retain, from over the vast territories and areas that we will see and experience . . .

One analogy is that of anthropologists who discover some types of ancient foundations and then systematically try to observe every detail possible in particular areas, in order to try to understand the ancient foundations if possible . . .

And yet another analogy is that of a builder who then desires to build a further understanding upon the same, ancient foundations but who, therefore, must dig down deeply and test every inch of it to verify whether or not the foundations are for real.

If the foundations are not for real, or if they are superficial, or hollow, or artificial, or simply not strong enough, then they can not be trusted . . . they could easily collapse.

So, foundations must be rock~solid . . .

And so, as we seek to explore true~freedom, we want to know if there are any ancient foundations of it, that are for real, and that are rock~solid, and, if so, then how might they be re~inforced, and/or built upon today, in our lives?

We must try to keep an open mind, if we hope to realistically explore the terrain of each area.

So, as we compare, test, and explore each area, one method, we will use, will be to try to . . . verify everything . . . {that we can, within reason} . . . using parameters that we can reasonably observe, compare, and understand, based upon our human experience in this world . . .

So, as we go forward, we will explore from as many different angles as reasonably possible. And we will practice various other, different methods of observation, some of which may {or may not} seem new to us. And we will try to maintain a very~high purity, and accuracy, of logic, and analytical~reasoning to hopefully benefit our understanding to the maximum extent.

Now, once we begin, at first we may move forward only very slowly for a while, and our views may be somewhat limited. But as we get more used to the terrain, and our techniques, we will definitely pick up speed very significantly, and dramatically, and our views will also increase greatly.

We will also utilize a variety of supplies, and almost certainly, acquire various treasures.

Some of the treasures will be understandings of priceless, timeless value, beauty and excellence . . .

Some of the supplies will be lenses, and tools, through which to view and compare various events and realities. We will begin seeing, and using, several these supplies soon, and we will hope to find more of them as we continue. And we will utilize all of them as well as we can.

But, among the most important supplies that we will bring with us right now, from the very beginning, will be an excellent set of:

PHILOSOPHICAL~SAFETY~GEAR:

Our philosophical~safety~gear, will primarily be the over~all mental out~look, or mental~readiness, that will allow us to explore various areas as thoroughly as possible, yet without having to put any serious weight upon anything, until we can verify whether or not it is solid.

So, in other words, as we explore areas with the philosophical~safety~gear on, we do not have to immediately trust the truth of each area, but yet we can still try to observe it, and explore it. And in this way, we can more safely cover more ground, and explore more possibilities. And, therefore, again in this manner, we can maintain the mental versatility, such that, if we can not trust any of the terrain that we are traveling upon, then we do not need to rely upon particular areas if we choose not to.

Additionally, regarding our over~all navigation, we are, more or less, free to choose various routes to travel, and/or not to travel, so that we can entirely avoid certain areas if we want to. Or if we happen to come upon any types of impasses, then we cam simply try to choose other routes, if possible, and/or, we can move onward to other areas for the time being, and discover what else we can. And then, very possibly, later, as we progress, we may {or may not} be able to see more aspects, of a bigger~picture in each area . . .

However, also, many of the areas that we intend to explore may lead us to particularly strategic vantage~points, and summits, of understanding.

And, from these summits, {and from meditating upon them} we may, quite~possibly, be able to see further than ever before into the past, present, and potential future conditions of our~selves, and of humanity, in this physical, political, ideological, and philosophical world, in which we live.

Therefore, many of these areas may be in our best interests to explore . . .

As another serious note before we begin, we are going to try, at all times, to avoid any presumptuousness, or pre~judgments, {or thinking that we already know everything} during our observations. We are simply going to try to observe, explore, and absorb, as much as we can, and then consider it all as objectively as possible . . .

So, now, as we embark upon our journey to discover the characteristics of true~freedom {if we can} we are going to find that what we discover will relate to almost every facet of human existence, and to the global balance of powers around us . . .

{It’s going to be a legendary adventure for us . . . }

MISSION #1

SEARCHING~OUT THE

ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS

AREA #1:

BALANCE, ORDER, BEAUTY, AND EXCELLENCE:

Balance is a living art~form . . .

{And also, for example, the sky, is a living art~form . . . }

{And, also, interestingly, preparing fine~cuisine, can be a living art~form . . . }

And, actually, very many things in this world are living art~forms . . .

Balance is a prime phenomenon for us to observe throughout our explorations, not only for the beauty of it, but also for the extremely important application of it to our methods of observation as a whole. For us it will be both a prime lense of thought and a prime indicator for our observations. If we are able to discover the characteristics of true~freedom, it is extremely likely that we will discover that it will contain various elements of balance. So, as we explore different areas, we are going learn to look for balance, or the lack of it . . .

And just to briefly glimpse some examples of balance {we will see more of many of these in more detail later}:

NATURALLY:

Balance, {or, moderation} is one of those vast concepts that seems to be a part of the natural world, including the entire universe itself, and every life form . . .

Every life form known has some range of very complex physical, and/or chemical, conditions that must be properly balanced {both internally and externally} in order for it to even exist, such as, for example, temperature, pressure, and many environmental conditions, factors, and etc . . .

PHYSICALLY:

Some of the first, basic physical tasks learned by every human being, and most animals, involve physical forms of balance in terms of physical motion. These continue to advance to various levels throughout life . . .

PSYCHOLOGICALLY:

Every human and most animals must maintain, and/or adjust, their psychological balance to deal with constantly changing environments. Almost every kind of adaptation for survival, could be described as an adjustment of psychological, and/or physical, balance, appropriately, for each given situation . . .

SOCIALLY:

There are many balances between many extremes in behavior, for example, between pleasant, and yet, unobtrusive behaviors . . . and much more . . .

FINANCIALLY:

There are many balances . . . between investment, and reserve of funds . . . and between diversification or consolidation, and many more, etc . . .

MILITARILY:

There are many complex balances . . . between preparation and action . . . between attack and defense . . . between direct actions and non~direct actions . . . and between diplomacy, and obstinacy . . . and many more . . .

POLITICALLY:

There are obviously always many balances between complex varieties of interests . . .

And also, again, between diplomacy, and obstinacy . . .

All of these various balances seem to be in constant change with each unique scenario, so that they are usually in a state of fluctuation . . .

One initial thing that seems interesting about balance is that:

Proper balance is not the absence of the potential for extremes . . .

In fact, the absence of the potential for extremes would be more like the definition of mediocrity. Without at least the potential for various extremes, we might actually suspect that balances could not be properly maintained in many situations.

So proper balance seems to refer to the appropriate blend of extremes for each particular situation . . .

We will talk a great deal more about balance . . .

REGARDING BALANCE, ORDER, BEAUTY, AND EXCELLENCE:

We may also suspect {whether or not we can prove it right now} that proper balance seems to lead to increased: order, beauty, and excellence . . .

{Which we will also discuss a great deal more . . . }

SPIRITUAL~BALANCE:

And so, is there any type of philosophical~balance, or "spiritual~balance" that we can discover? If so, we will try to increasingly understand it.

This, philosophical~balance, or "spiritual~balance", if it exists, could be described as: "Striving for the highest possible truth at all times . . ."

But then, what is truth . . . ?

AREA #2:

TRUTH:

Searching for truth can be like fighting a great battle . . .

{And also, preparing fine cuisine can be like fighting a great battle . . . }

{And therefore, we may highly suspect that: searching for truth, while also preparing fine cuisine, at the same time, can also be like fighting a great battle . . . }

And actually, for that matter, very many things in this world can be like fighting great battles . . .

Here are a few points for us to consider about searching for truth:

Truth will always be greater than science . . .

Science can only try to verify the places that truth has already been.

Truth will always be greater than fiction . . .

Fiction will only be as strong as the elements of truth within it.

Truth will always be greater than {so~called}, religion, or tradition . . .

Religions, or traditions, at their best, are glorious attempts to follow truth, but at their worst, can be something else altogether.

{We will almost certainly talk about all of this more . . . }

Truth will always be greater than faith {and belief} . . .

Faith will ultimately only be as strong as the truth upon which it is founded . . .

Because we may believe something, does not make it true . . .

But if, and when, we believe in something that is also true, then our faith, and/or belief, takes on the strength of the truth in which it believes . . .

Now, faith {and belief} do have some various strengths in and of themselves, especially in human systems and dynamics, but ultimately, faith founded in the highest truth will always prevail . . . over the longest period of time . . .

As we go through life in this world, whether we realize it or not, we are constantly trying to get the biggest pictures of truth that we can. We learn in increments, and waves, moment by moment, and day by day.

So, as we go through life, and we want to observe truths, and/or, construct mental pictures of truths in our minds, we must often begin with the most basic, solid, points of truth that we can find in our understanding, and then try to move forward from there. And many times, we may need to utilize what we do not know in order to help us to learn more . . .

For example, if we were lost in a forest {may it not happen} and we want to get out, then, at some point, we may choose to stop, regroup, and then re~establish some fundamental statement of truth such as:

"We do not know where we are . . ."

{Remarkable . . . }

This may sound simplistic, but in reality, this simple truth can be a huge, and useful, landmark, because once we have agreed with our~selves that we don’t know where we are {if we don’t} then we at least know that:

We must begin to learn more . . .

We then know that we have to begin to observe our surroundings more thoroughly, and diligently, and begin asking some serious questions . . .

{If we want to get to wherever it is that we want to be . . . }

So, for instance:

Where were we going?

What do we recognize?

What factors exist?

What can we observe . . . ?

What various types of landmarks exist? Where is the sun? Or the stars?

How can we re~verify our direction? Where was our original course?

Is it likely that we can now move forward quickly, or should we prepare for some type of survival tactics . . . ? Should we try to signal someone . . . ?

{And, meanwhile, is there any type of fine~cuisine in this area?}

For our purposes, in this exploration, here is an interesting example of a foundational truth that we can probably all agree upon:

"WE SEEM TO EXIST . . ."

Yes . . . fascinating . . . !

And yet, so simple . . .

And yet, so complex . . .

{No doubt, this is very emotional for all us, as it is for me . . . }

This is a huge, solid, landmark~realization that we can all agree upon.

{And, it is something that I will try to meditate upon, at least somewhat, as I go for another fine beverage, and try to re~gain my sense of proper emotional~balance . . . }

This is where we really begin our expedition:

We seem to exist . . .

{We have almost certainly seen this place before . . . }

AREA #3:

THE ORIGINAL~SOURCE:

So, if . . .

We seem to exist . . .

Then we can ask another question:

{Whether or not we can answer it:}

How did we get here . . . ?

Now this is where we really begin training with our philosophical~safety~gear:

If we look carefully, we can seem to isolate and describe two basic possibilities:

Either we are here:

1}: UNINTENTIONALLY:

In which case, we ultimately came to be, somehow, unintentionally, or at random, from some type of an original~source. In this case, the original~source has no awareness of us in any way, nor, probably, even of itself.

And this may, {or may not} mean, that there could also be other intelligent beings, created, in existence, aside from our~selves, that we are not aware of at this time . . .

Or, we could be here:

2}: INTENTIONALLY:

In which case, we ultimately came, somehow, from something, intentionally, through some type of intelligent, aware, process . . . which would mean that the original~source of our creation was intentional to at least some level . . .

And this may, {or may not} mean that very probably, the original~source is interacting with us in at least some ways.

And this may, {or may not} mean, that there could also be other intelligent beings, created, in existence, aside from our~selves, that we are not aware of at this time . . .

Now, in any case, it seems that we almost certainly had to come from some:

ORIGINAL~SOURCE . . .

It is also interesting to note that whatever the nature of this source really is, it is quite probable that everything in the entire universe, including the universe itself, ultimately, all proceeded from this one, original~source . . .

So, what else do we know . . . ?

And, what else can we observe . . . ?

One thing that we do know is that, the physical universe itself has an astonishing variety and diversity of balance, order, beauty, and excellence.

All matter and all life forms have some type of order, and balance. And at least most seem to have immense beauty and excellence . . .

We also can observe a fascinating combination of balance, order, beauty and excellence in the timings, seasons, cycles, and patterns of the entire natural world around us.

However, there are also a number of serious concerns for us that we can also observe:

For example, we observe a progression throughout the physical life of a human being.

There is a timed, physical, cycle to human life. We see a process of conception, development, birth, growth, learning, strengthening, then maturing, then aging . . .

And, eventually, there is:

PHYSICAL DIS~ORDER, AND DEATH . . .

The process of physical death is basically some form of advancing dis~order of the physical body until at some point there is not enough order left to function properly. So basically, physical death seems to result from a lack of sufficient order for physical life . . .

We may {or may not} already know that the term entropy also means dis~order.

We may {or may not} also already know that there exists, in scientific terms, the {so~called}:

SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS:

{From Isaac Newton, which says that, basically:}

"The over~all dis~order {entropy} in the observable universe always tends to increase, over time . . . In other words, everything physical in this world, and universe, seems to move toward dis~order, and/or death", over time.

And if we consider a few of the potential logical conclusions of this law, then it would also seem to point~out some very serious potential problems for the existence of the universe itself, over time . . .

And, over~all, dis~order certainly seems to be a rather harsh reality in human experience. It seems that every human being must all face the reality of physical dis~order, and death, in this world, sooner or later, as far as we know. And no one seems to be immune, including even the greatest kings and queens of humanity, and the strongest of humanity that have ever been on the earth.

We will consider this more . . .

But, let’s re~group here:

So, we seem to exist . . .

{And here we are . . . }

And, from what we have heard, we are apparently, zooming around in some type of rotation at around 1000 miles per hour on some sort of huge globe, which, in turn, is racing on around at incredible speeds, on some kind of an orbit, throughout this area of the universe . . . {wherever that is} . . . and around an even much~more huge ball of blazing, flaming heat, and light, that someone has named the sun . . . which actually looks like it’s traveling around us, if we didn’t know any different . . .

And . . . {from what we can gather} . . .

We seem to have come from some type of an original~source . . .

But we’re not necessarily sure what the nature of the original~source, is . . .

So, how could we possibly discover whether the original~source is unintentional, or, intentional, or, whether random, or, intelligent in nature?

We would have to ask more questions . . .

What else can we observe?

For one thing:

If some type of order, from some type of an original~source, can come into existence, into a universe that always tends, over time, toward dis~order . . . then could it happen without intelligence and awareness of some sort . . . ?

Could it happen at random . . . ?

If so, how . . . ?

Let’s examine the only, even remotely acknowledged, theory that has ever attempted to propose a possibly~random development of life upon this planet.

That is . . .

THE {SO~CALLED}, THEORY OF EVOLUTION:

{But, before we go forward, it seems important to note that whether the Theory of Evolution is, or is not accurate, it really would not determine one way or another, whether our original~source was unintentional, or intentional . . . }

But as it turns out, there are at least three distinct problem~areas, which are rather widely understandable, by this time, that cause the theory of evolution to seem totally defective, both empirically, and logistically.

While remembering that we are not on a mission to explore every detail of evolutionary theory let’s just quickly observe these three problem~areas:

1}: There are no missing links that have ever been found, which, in and of itself, is