Divine Illumination and Revelation
Section Two
THE CREATION OF KNOWLEDGE
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Part Two THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESSES Two distinct sub-problems emerge from the analysis of the problem of idea innovation. The first, which concerns the definition of the psychological processes through which the solution is achieved, is discussed in this part. The second, which concerns the explanation of how new ideas are created, is the subject of Part Three. The problem solving path is described by which the problem to be solved is submitted to the psychological processes in which the solution is created. The psychological processes are defined and from this analysis the rules for creating knowledge are derived. Failures to achieve knowledge are shown to be the results of contraventions of these rules. The problem solving process is uniform for all problems, both simple and complex. Simple problems pass through the process very quickly and are therefore difficult to observe. Complex scientific or theological problems are much slower in their passage through the psychological processes and some observation is possible. More generally, the existence and functions of the processes come to light when problems such as failures to arrive at solutions or arriving at false solutions are subjected to the problem solving procedure. The psychological Processes Chapter One THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCEDURE In the problem solving procedure the individual is conscious of a problem and has formed the aim to solve it. The problem solving method has been operated and the problem understanding and the solution specification lie in the intellect. They are not in the conscious part of the intellect since the individual is not consciously aware of them in their entirety, and they are therefore taken to be in some subconscious area. The solution is formed outside the intellect and, when available, appears in the subconscious instantaneously as a completed logical construction called insight. Descriptions of the working of the process generally show that the individual becomes aware that now he knows, without at that moment knowing precisely what it is that he knows. He can, however, begin to express the insight and become consciously aware of the full character of the solution. The path of the problem through the intellect may be traced from the first consideration of its presence to the final achievement of the solution. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ Departments of the Intellect In previous discussion the intellect has been defined as the compendium of understandings under the direction of an intelligence. In normal working the bulk of the understandings which are known to exist within an intellect, are not present to the current problem under solution. In general, understandings may be divided into those present to the conscious at any given time and those not present. Understandings as logical sets or programs must be stored within the intellect. The intellect must then be divided into two areas which are labelled the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious represents a temporary working area, and the subconscious the permanent area of storage of understandings. To
read the complete chapter, the book can be purchased from ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ The psychological Processes Chapter Two THE DETERMINATION OF MEANING The problem posed in this discussion is the definition of the psychological processes that are involved in the production of the solution from the solution specification, which is the form of requisition of new understanding. The problem or problems to be solved will have been recognised because a model of reality has been violated. These problems will have been investigated from the position of the understanding given by that model of reality. The model of reality is defined as true but the problem definitions are incompatible with it. This is the meaning of a problem. The problem definition and the solution specification, which pass through the conscious in verbal or digital form, will have been reduced to analogue form as a set of complex meanings and retained within the subconscious. Its structure within the subconscious is determined by the problem definition. As a model or series of models it will contain descriptions of the reality of the problem or problems, and definitions of the processes in which the problems have been identified. The solution that is required is the explanation or understanding of the problem as a whole, based on one comprehensive model. The solution will transform the model of reality currently in use, integrating the problem states of affairs into the reality represented and explained by the new model. It is not always possible to integrate a problem into the model of reality. An example is given by the problem of the conscious intellect in the functioning of quantum systems. The conscious entity is unexplainable in quantum reality and must be defined as a non-quantum state of affairs. In such circumstances matter and the conscious entity must be separately modelled and linked together through a higher level understanding which predicts and explains both models. The psychological process can then follow the path from one model to the other by passing through the links provided by the higher level understanding. If a means of integrating the known reality and the problem reality cannot be found the problem cannot be solved. To
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◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ The psychological Processes Chapter Three THE RULES GOVERNING THE CREATION OF KNOWLEDGE The Conditions Necessary for True Solutions True solutions follow when the problem solving method has been operated correctly. The problem must be recognised from a viewpoint given by true reality and must be unexplainable by the existing understanding of reality. The solution specification must be the product of a rational purpose, which must be concerned with the truth, and the problem to be solved must be fully and correctly understood. The conformity to rational method offers an assurance that the problem solving procedure has been carried out satisfactorily. ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ The Reasons for Failures to arrive at Solutions Not all attempts to arrive at answers to problems result in success. Why failures occur is of some importance to the understanding of the problem solving process and the problem is worth the effort of study. Since failure constitutes a real problem it is amenable to the problem solving method. The problem may be solved using the formula PROBLEM = FAILURES...> PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING...> SOLUTION SPECIFICATION...> [Inner Resource]...> SOLUTION. The problem of failure is defined, and is submitted with a question, in the form of the solution specification, to the psychological process. The question is generally "why?". The answer emerges in the form of a rule that "if one can understand the solution, one will get the solution". In order to understand the solution the individual must first understand the problem. Failures to proceed to a solution are to be attributed to the prior failure to understand the problem fully and correctly. The test is the process of analysis and integration of meaning. To
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