The ancient Greek philosophers Heraclitus and Parmenides had opposing ideas regarding the question of being.
Heraclitus posited that every thing is in a constant state of flux. No thing remains the same. He is famously attributed with the quote, "You can never step into the same river twice." The river, the water, the earth, the bank, they are all constantly changing. Even were the river to remain the same, you cannot, for having stepped once in the river, you would be older upon reentering the stream.
Contrasting the thoughts of Heraclitus, Parmenides proposed simply that "Whatever is, is." He placed no faith in the opinions of mortals, allowing that a thing either exists or it does not.
These two thinkers both grappled with the concepts of actuality and potentiality. For example, were I a university student, I would possess the potentiality to become a college graduate. But without actually doing the appropriate coursework and completing credit hours, this never becomes a reality.
The concept of becoming is the critical focus of these philosophers. What does it mean to become something? How does the becoming happen? Is becoming a real or a theoretical state?
What are you becoming? Where does your potential lie? How would you define yourself in terms of actuality? and then potentiality?
Where does Scripture play into this discussion?? In what ways is mankind different than God as it relates to potential/actual? What do you believe our "being" was designed for?
So that's a lot of questions. Let's hear some of your answers. Comment or email me and we'll get the ball rolling. And thank you guys for being a part of the dialogue!
What are you becoming? Where does your potential lie? How would you define yourself in terms of actuality? and then potentiality?
Where does Scripture play into this discussion?? In what ways is mankind different than God as it relates to potential/actual? What do you believe our "being" was designed for?
So that's a lot of questions. Let's hear some of your answers. Comment or email me and we'll get the ball rolling. And thank you guys for being a part of the dialogue!
“What does it mean to become something?”
ReplyDeleteBecoming: To move into a state of being that an object or subject was previously not in. An object or subject does not necessarily have to exist in only one state of being; it could exist in multiple states of being.
“How does the becoming happen?”
It depends. For example, an old mill could get converted into a museum (e.g. South Carolina State Museum). The mill *became* a museum via the remodeling process.
“Is becoming a real or a theoretical state?”
It is a process rather than a state. It is real, as it actually takes place, but our understanding of the process is conceptual/abstract.
“What are you becoming? Where does your potential lie? How would you define yourself in terms of actuality? and then potentiality?”
I am becoming more intellectual. Potential: In finding small and usually unnoticed ways to make the world a better place. Actuality: Could do better with finding small and usually unnoticed ways to make the world a better place with practice and more time observing and analyzing the world.
“Where does Scripture play into this discussion?? In what ways is mankind different than God as it relates to potential/actual? What do you believe our "being" was designed for?”
Mankind has potential being and actualized being; God has only actualized being. Our being was designed to make free choices, especially choices between good and evil, and to worship God, be faithful to God (Think Job here), and be in fellowship with God (the fellowship part was lost at least partially after the Fall in the Garden of Eden).