In the "Adapting to the Anthropocene" thread, I have made several references to the work on systems approach by C. West Churchman; however, I post the following linked article about the roles of deception and enlightenment here in the "Systemic Isolation" thread to emphasize the role of embracing free will (as reflected by our individual quirks) in order to overcome systemic isolation:
Charles Smith (2007), "Deception Meets Enlightenment: From a Viable Theory of Deception to a Quirk About Humanity's Potential", World Futures 63(1):42-54, DOI: 10.1080/02604020600948974
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02604020600948974Abstract: "This article seeks to further suggestions made by C. West Churchman (1979)8. Churchman , C. W. 1979 . The systems approach and its enemies , New York : Basic Books . View all references that a full inquiry into human systems requires a viable theory of deception. It argues that such a theory of deception requires an understanding of deception, a recognition of errors in perception, and an ability to see simultaneously from competing points of view. The intent here is to provide some insights that are useful in our understanding of deception, and thereby contributing to a viable theory of deception. Insights are used from what Huxley (1944)13. Huxley , A. 1944 . The perennial philosophy , New York : Harper and Row . View all references calls the “perennial tradition,” found particularly within the esoteric traditions of the Buddhist, Sufi, and Taoist esoteric teachings, as well as many other spiritual traditions of the world. The perennial tradition emphasizes the role and continual presence of deception, alongside enlightenment, within human experience. In accord with C. West Churchman's view, this tradition suggests that, by a simultaneous recognition of both our enlightenment and our deception in any given situation, we have the proper perspective to meet the problems we face. A thought experiment, using insights from the perennial tradition, is offered as a challenge to all involved in human systems inquiry."
Extract: "We are not merely in a state of deception. We are rather, at one and the same time, both confused and enlightened. This may sound at first trivial, but when we reflect on the fact that we are not merely operating with a consciousness that has a bit of enlightenment and a bit of confusion, but is rather both completely confused and completely enlightened, we find ourselves with a paradox. The paradox is not merely a puzzle to be solved – it is rather something that we must carry. Again we can remember Churchman's insight that we can not have a "guarantor," at any moment. Translated into this context, we cannot know, at any moment, what perception is accurate – is "enlightenment" and what is "distorted" – is our "deception." Contemplating this deeply will call us to explore every possible ramification of our decisions and actions.
But can we understand further the idea of complete confusion and complete enlightenment, coexisting in us at any moment? It is this question that calls us to look toward the perennial wisdom tradition, which, we will find, is based on this exact condition, reflected well in the words of Dogen, a great Zen master: Those who greatly realize delusion are buddhas (Nishiijima and Cross, 1994, p. 33).
We recognize, then, given that the word buddha means "to be awake" and therefore not deluded, that the Dogen's words are a self-referential paradox, the very kind on which Godel based his "incompleteness theorem." The theorem, in essence, warns us never to assume any system of thought/interpretation could be without deception, that is, could possibly have complete perception of "Reality."
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From the viewpoint of the perennial tradition, things are better than they appear because our life is meant to be, quite literally, a mirror of our essence, the expression of beauty and potentiality. In the language of the Abrahamic traditions, and also the language of Buddhism, the human being's perfection or buddha nature waits to come forth, and it is the tests and trials of life that bring it forth. This perfection is not a predetermined structure based on a static "Reality" or archetype. It is, rather, an emergence from a non-equilibrium condition, a fresh expression of being in a new configuration, only possible in a universe that allows for free will and indeterminancy.
The work on dissipative self-organization and on the embrace of uncertainty (Prigogine and Stengers, 1997) offers us a great deal of insight into the way that nature self-evolves, via non-equilibrium conditions – towards greater beauty and elegance, ever going beyond the constraints and limitations of stale or sclerosed perspective.
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By way of summary, we echo Churchman's basic insight: We are ever deceived, and we are greatly deceived. We do, indeed, "see through a glass darkly." Our deception will be with us as long as we live as human beings, chained to the wall of Plato's cave.
The answer is to face of our deception, to look through the eyes of another, to recognize that no singular worldview will suffice; we need to see that there really are no "experts" in the inquiry into human systems dynamics. We must, again in Churchman's language, become an enemy of our deception, and realize that each of us has "a quirk about the destiny and improvement of the human condition, just as all the rest of humanity has its quirks" Churchman (1979, pp. 213-214).
This "quirk" of which (Churchman speaks) is the key to our particular contribution in this life, our "quirk about the destiny and improvement of the human condition." As such it is never trivial, but the vision that must live and evolve in spite of the paradox of our deception and enlightenment. This is the "thought of the heart" that give passion and purpose to our lives, encouraging us, again in Churchman's words, to the "radiant" aspect of our beings, an aspect that is deeply enhanced by our realization of both our deception and our enlightenment."
For those who belong to Researchgate, the full-text can be found at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233476987_Deception_Meets_Enlightenment_From_a_Viable_Theory_of_Deception_to_a_Quirk_About_Humanity%27s_PotentialI attach the first image of Churchman as I knew him (as he was kind enough to serve on my PhD committee).