The functionality of
Philosophy
in the Paradigm of Transcendent Reality

Philosophy is broadly defined here as our system of reasoning. Philosophy gives structure to mental models of our selves and our environment, and includes such disciplines as mathematics, logic, engineering, sociology, psychology, education, and politics. Much of science also employs theoretical models, which are based in Philosophy. The highest formal degree of learning that an institution can award an individual is a Doctor of Philosophy in one or more of such disciplines.

Our philosophical models and our disciplined reasoning are based on our scientific observations and discoveries, so in Transcendent Reality philosophy is not arbitrary or imaginary. The constructs of our Logic and Reasoning must be utilitarian - they must yield us useful predictions that work.

In Transcendent Reality we define Philosophy broader than do curriculums presented by leading universities, judiciary, and debate societies. We are broader because we include all modeling, including scientific models, as philosophical in origin. We also include mathematics, as well as logic. We do so because all of these are theoretical concepts that facilitate modeling and understanding Reality. Our philosophy allows us to build realistic models, reach sound conclusions, solve complex puzzles, induce and deduce correctly, and to accurately predict future occurrences based on our models and past observations.

Our philosophical models and our disciplined reasoning are required to be consistent with our scientific discoveries. We assume that all things of and in of our environment, including our selves and our societies, are connected in some way or another, and force a consistency in our models, disallowing any "divine intervention" by invisible super-natural beings. Indeed, we carry this philosophical concept even into our religion, where we require our morality to serve a higher purpose of contributing to, and increasing, our chances of survival, continuance-in-kind, and prosperity. If a proposed moral stricture cannot meet this test test, then it will not be adopted.

If we had to define philosophy with just one word, we would choose "modeling," because m the essence of every philosophical branch is a model. Mathematics is a philosophical model of numbers - how they can be manipulated and how numerical solutions can be found. Logic is a philosophical model of deduction and induction - how non-numerical inferences can be established.

Subdivisions of mathematics include arithmetic, algebra, calculus and set theory. Set theory is also a philosophical model that in its self does not deal with numbers, but the relationship between sets of objects. Every important rule of mathematics is described or proved by set theory. Yet set theory is also used in computer science and nuclear physics. Set theory could be considered an extension of Logic.

Calculus relies heavily on geometry, which is a mixture of mathematics and logic, in that numerical and qualitative relations can be determined between geometric shapes. The proofs of geometry are very much extensions of logic. But, not all things in mathematics are precisely determinable. p and e are irrational numbers that can not be expressed as a finite number of digits, and instead are represented by a symbol, and are calculated to whatever degree of precision is applicable for the moment. Infinity is another "quantity" that is only expressible by a symbol, and is either interpreted as "very big," or "without end." Calculus, using limits, helps us reach finite answers with some, but not all, expressions containing an infinite quantity.

Likewise in logic, not all things can be correctly inferred or deduced. Logical constructions can lead one far from reality if any of the axioms or assumptions are incorrect. And logic has many paradoxes that it cannot solve. One particular paradox for the religious is: "If God is omnipotent, can he make a rock heavier than he can lift?" The paradox arises from the overly broad definition of words, in this case 'omnipotent." To be omnipotent, we require God to be able to make any rock, and to be able to lift any rock. Then we assign him a task where he can only do one or the other. We might be tempted to conclude that an omnipotent God cannot exist, because we incorrectly assume our logical model is all-inclusive, when in fact it is all-exclusive.

Despite its limitations, philosophy allows us to reach conclusions, to solve puzzles, to induce and deduce, and to predict future occurrences based on our models and past observations. In Transcendent Reality, we generally follow the systemic structure presented by leading universities, judiciary, and debate societies.

We discuss philosophy as a discipline that is separate from science and religion for convenience and to simplify the discussion. But in fact philosophy is very much entwined with science and religion. And in many aspects it is difficult to classify a subject as belonging exclusively to one category or another. Transcendent Reality requires our philosophical models and processes to be useful, consistent, and complimentary with our science and our religion.

Some philosophical models unique to Transcendent Reality, which are included under the Philosophy category, are hyper-linked below. Visit these web pages to deepen your understanding of Transcendent Reality.