Misc(2)

Imagine...

The world has a uniform climate, one which supports all the nutritional requirements of the human body.  The people have only one faith; this cannot be challenged, has no variations, is universally believed, and so exists as reality.  All humans are of one race.  But, in one part of this world, there is an abundance of a mineral necessary to the production of Jell-o.  This is the only source.

In this world, wars are fought and blood is spilled...for Jell-o.  When the vital mineral is exhausted, the wars continue over the grudge of past wars.

In this world, men walk gladly to their deaths...for Jello.
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Behold!  For his is golden sin.
You'll beg him to trespass again.
Just keep in mind the golden rule:
The Devil's lover is his fool.*

*Not sure this is mine.  Seems a bit too...good.
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There is evidence of all viewpoints in the world; indeed, viewpoints are born of this evidence.  Resolution involves only acknowledging evidence supportive of one's viewpoint.  Objectivity involves acknowledging all evidence.  If one is resolved to the reality of their own objectivity, however, they assume the role of the dillusional, seeing all evidence within their field of perception but having that scope narrowed from reality.  The Resolute, bu their nature, believe themselves Objective.  The key, then, is to never acknowledge any boundaries to "reality."
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A sense of purpose is necessary for the development of any and all skills or abilities one may ask for.  The direct pursuit of skill itself is a doomed endeavor, lacking that vital benchmark of accomplishment furnished by an un/completed task.  For one who persists in desiring ability for ability's sake, the one best course of action is to choose for one's goal that which will be most demanding, most difficult, and above all most distant; the highest mountain makes the greatest achievement, but the longest mountain range makes the best climber.
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There are two primary influences on Will: compulsion, and choice.  Though apparently distinct, these who factors lack anything so convenient as a clear line of seperation between them.  Both, after all, are products of experience; both are dictated by some logical process; both are goal oriented.  Given the cloudy nature of Will at present, it remains unsurprising that the hypothesized distinction above may easily go unobserved.

There are things which may be both wanted and unwanted.  Or, perhaps it is the want itself which is unwanted in this case, the case being compulsion.  Since coincidences of compulsion and choice are indistinguishable from choice alone, compulsion must be defined as a contradictory want.  Further, a compulsion might be defined as a primary want, one to which choice later comes into being in opposition.  Compulsion is the first want.

Is there anything in the nature of the want itself which distinguishes it as either choice or compulsion?
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Talisman - physical object which is invested with authority over the self.  Relative permenance is relied upon in place of fickle mental or spiritual inclination.  Examples include dated check lists and justified talismans.

Character - personal role definition for which natural inclinations are conciously chosen.  Application ranges from individual, periodic actions for constant state adjustment.  Whatever the application, character goals mush mesh with the whole character.  Contradictory character goals discourage faith in, and thus weaken, characters.
     Ticks - constant, periodic, or situationally specific actions or inclinations which reafirm and increase faith in characters.  Examples include biting finger nails, posture or stride, or musical preference.

Principle - long-term definition of personal action.  Distinct from character for being 1) necessarily long-term, and 2) goal specific: behavior governed by principle may comfortably contradict other personal behaviors, but it must be adhered to indefinitely.  Examples include following one's given word, honesty, and repaying debts.

Higher Power - loosely defined figure of authority upon whom the burden of judgement against a particular moral or ethical code is placed.  Examples include God and deceased relatives.
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First two are from my second year of college, the rest from right after I moved to Red Wing.