Overthrowing Eastern and Western Economics: Chan Economics (Serialization Part 7)

2006/7/30 21:06:00

The real existence of humans necessarily corresponds to a kind of realistic logic, but human existence and human reality do not exist because of some logic. Logic is first and foremost human logic — logic that can be logicked by humans. Even logical relations discovered by humans are first and foremost logical relations that can be discovered by humans, and discovery itself is already logical, and therefore must be grounded in human existence. Discrimination is the root of all logic concerning humans; discrimination is the most foundational part of logic that can be logicked by humans. Realistic logic is merely a structure added upon human existence. Reality is the structured, logicized existence of humans, and discrimination is the root of all realistic logic. The logic constructed by humans is a kind of ideological fantasy, and realistic logic is actually an even more fantastical ideology — being awake is often a greater dream. From this, one can also see how laughable the logic of so-called theory versus practice is, but this point will be expanded upon later.

Any theory is necessarily circularly defined. For any theory that can be theorized by humans, it must be grounded in human existence. Therefore, when any theory that can be theorized by humans is used to examine human existence, it necessarily leads to circular definition. This unbreakable circular definition is not some logical defect. A defective logic can only be defective within the logical relations that make it defective, and the logical relations that make it defective must also be grounded in human existence and discrimination. This unbreakable circular definition exists within all logic that can be logicked by humans, because it comes from the most foundational part of logic that can be logicked by humans — that is, discrimination. And discrimination applied to discrimination is likewise a necessary circular definition.

This unbreakable circular definition is the most fundamental fate of human existence. Of course, if you don't mind, you can call this samsara (cyclical existence). The most fundamental fate of human existence is samsara. Of course, this need not be understood according to the six realms of samsara as commonly understood in Buddhism, because the six realms of samsara is also merely a kind of logic — for those who have not personally verified it, it can be said to be a possible kind of logic. But the samsara represented by this unbreakable circular definition is the root of all samsara. Discrimination (cognition/識) is the root of all samsara. This samsara does not refer solely to the theoretical sense. Reality itself is merely a certain logical manifestation under the logic of discrimination. Discrimination is not only the root of the logic and samsara of all theories that can be theorized by humans — it is also the root of the logic and samsara of all realities that can be made real by humans!

This root of samsara forever clings to human existence. As long as humans exist, this root of samsara continues. Human existence is not an abstract concept but encompasses a dynamic set formed by equal individuals. The greatest real driving force behind the formation, deterioration, subsistence, and destruction of this system is human discrimination. Without the equality of individuals, the categorical set pertaining to human existence could not be formed. Without discrimination, the formation, deterioration, subsistence, and destruction of the categorical set of human existence could not occur — not even an empty set with zero elements could exist. Without the equality of individuals, human reality cannot be realized. Without discrimination, human reality also cannot become real.

(To be continued)