Wednesday 7 May 2014
Tuesday 22 January 2013
Ivan Illich
Long ago,
Long long ago - before I knew Christ, and when I was a radical minded 70s student
- we were reading Ivan Illich: 'Tools for Conviviality' was a favourite; 'Deschooling Society' another.
But now I am rereading a book I bought in 2003 by Illich: 'in the Vineyard of the Text'.
It's amazing. And I am amazed to discover Illich was a philosopher, a theologian, a Catholic - as well as a radical.
I'm in chapter two and I think this is one of the most exciting intellectual journeys I've been on (brilliantly prepared-for by Blake - see below).
Long long ago - before I knew Christ, and when I was a radical minded 70s student
- we were reading Ivan Illich: 'Tools for Conviviality' was a favourite; 'Deschooling Society' another.
But now I am rereading a book I bought in 2003 by Illich: 'in the Vineyard of the Text'.
It's amazing. And I am amazed to discover Illich was a philosopher, a theologian, a Catholic - as well as a radical.
I'm in chapter two and I think this is one of the most exciting intellectual journeys I've been on (brilliantly prepared-for by Blake - see below).
Monday 31 December 2012
Wm. Blake: Mad - or Maddened?
I have finished regrading Ackroyd's study of Blake. I think the question is, was Blake mad or maddened - and my view is it was the latter. Certainly, this one man, a mere grain upon the beach or humanity, did indeed include a World, Heavens, and Infinity - and expressed them. As a post-Republic pietist, I suspect he had no strong belief in Providence, but his irony and wit balanced some of his frustrations. That is my guess and impression, not Ackroyd's! There was more contact with Palmer than I had realised: I intend to turn to him next. Also more contact with STC than I knew. Is Blake's true emblem the Ancient of Days, as Ackroyd suggest, or the child chimney-sweep?
Monday 24 December 2012
Blake versus Newton
For the first time I see this engraving less as a celebration, more as a satire, on the great scientist, philosopher, and theologian.
Even in this brightly coloured print (and there are darker versions) the way Newton focuses on his own abstraction, while unaware of the depths and rock around him, may be seen as a Blakeian critique of what we might now call rationalism or determinism.
I've blogged before abut Vaughan Williams' setting of Walt Whitman's poem "Toward the Unknown Region". It's on the stereo now, how appropriate!
Even in this brightly coloured print (and there are darker versions) the way Newton focuses on his own abstraction, while unaware of the depths and rock around him, may be seen as a Blakeian critique of what we might now call rationalism or determinism.
I've blogged before abut Vaughan Williams' setting of Walt Whitman's poem "Toward the Unknown Region". It's on the stereo now, how appropriate!
Sunday 23 December 2012
BLAKE- right all along! Swedenborg, Boehme, Paracelsus; and quantum science?
The uncertainty principle; the apparently illogical science of quantum stuff, the discovery of the Higgs boson.... It has shaken the thinking of we 21st century people. Imagine how much more shaken an 18th century mindset would be.
Yet, back then, Blake and others were resolute that reason and science were not the limit of existence. They clung to, argued for, a different dimension, or set of dimensions, to reality. In the terms of their day, they expressed these as religious truths (much as Giles Fraser was in his debate with Polly Toynbee in Saturday's Guardian). Science and engineering, the rise of the steam age (the dark Satanic mills) were the dominant mindset of their era. The graphic illustrates the point.
But we now know the ruling mechanical framework is deeply flawed. Since Einstein, a rethink has been forced upon us. I'm no expert, I don't understand string theory, but ever since I read Paul Davis' 'the Goldilocks Enigma' I have been convinced that the old Kuyperian maxim "all truth is God's truth" would prove true.
Now I'm retreading Ackroyd's biography of Blake and all my sympathies with that great man are suddenly snapping into focus. Of course, he was right all along. But perhaps in a very different way...
Yet, back then, Blake and others were resolute that reason and science were not the limit of existence. They clung to, argued for, a different dimension, or set of dimensions, to reality. In the terms of their day, they expressed these as religious truths (much as Giles Fraser was in his debate with Polly Toynbee in Saturday's Guardian). Science and engineering, the rise of the steam age (the dark Satanic mills) were the dominant mindset of their era. The graphic illustrates the point.
But we now know the ruling mechanical framework is deeply flawed. Since Einstein, a rethink has been forced upon us. I'm no expert, I don't understand string theory, but ever since I read Paul Davis' 'the Goldilocks Enigma' I have been convinced that the old Kuyperian maxim "all truth is God's truth" would prove true.
Now I'm retreading Ackroyd's biography of Blake and all my sympathies with that great man are suddenly snapping into focus. Of course, he was right all along. But perhaps in a very different way...
Monday 10 December 2012
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Dear All
We have come to a decision about postage costs and electronic media in a recession. Here is our Christmas Card, with all good wishes and love for a blessed and happy Christmas season.
I feel we have 'given in' to the digital age, but - in case our email list is incomplete or out of date - here's this years card https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1QiOpX3BdPsRkljTWgwNDNrUm8
best wishes
SIMON AND ANNE
We have come to a decision about postage costs and electronic media in a recession. Here is our Christmas Card, with all good wishes and love for a blessed and happy Christmas season.
I feel we have 'given in' to the digital age, but - in case our email list is incomplete or out of date - here's this years card https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1QiOpX3BdPsRkljTWgwNDNrUm8
best wishes
SIMON AND ANNE
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