Discover the Reality of
Scientific Mythology
The Facts of Self-Animating Networks in Nature and a New, Realistic Role for the Mythic Imagination
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Engaging the Implications of a New Mythical Science
The unexpected correlations between the
symbolic expressions of mythical imagination and the recent science of
complex systems and networks have far reaching
implications. These extend to many areas of
interest, from the creative and aesthetic dynamics of the arts to issues in social relations,
education, psychology, philosophy, politics, technology, and
spirituality. The confrontation of our ordinary perspectives with the
hidden realities of complexity and network autonomy is necessarily
inconceivable to those perspectives--that is why it requires
imagination.
Because we are a scientifically secular
society, only the conjunction of science and the imagination can enable
us to experience complex dynamical phenomena. That is why I have
composed this method of Scientific Mythology. But it is not a matter of
"belief." I emphasize how the mathematics of the science and the
symbols of myth are not the ultimately ineffable phenomena these
represent. They are a means of gaining dynamical intelligence. To
become realistic we must learn to perceive intentional agency arising
not only from brains but from invisible self-organizing criticality in
systems that have no brains.
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Like this website, my presentations include many visuals and examples of mythical stories. The
workshops
combine these with various exercises engaged by participants. These are designed to provoke
direct experience of the emergent dynamics of complexity and how such
experience can be meaningfully enhanced through symbolic practices. A
primary goal of the presentations and workshops is to enable people to
interact with the complex networks in the
world around them. This is achieved by engaging specific concerns of
participants through the perspectives of the new mythical science. It
is essential to locate the relevant ideas and practices within one's
lived experience. That focus allows scientific mythologizing to
elaborate hidden aspects of reality in tangible yet emotionally
compelling ways.
There are two paths of approach to generating network vision.
From science to symbolism:
1. Begin with a science-based analysis, by constellating the network of
a particular subject or context, then proceed through archetypal and
psychological interpretation toward symbolic elaboration.
From symbolism to science:
2. Begin with a symbolic expression, such as a story, dream, or work of art,
then proceed through archetypal and symbolic interpretation toward an
abstract network analysis.
The choice between these depends on the
interests of an audience. Beginning with the symbolism emphasizes
intuitive perception of complexity and network dynamics through
aesthetic experience.
I am available for general introductory
presentations on this work as well as workshops focused on specific
topics of
concern. These can be tailored to most any subject and
context. When focusing of specific issues, the goals are to reveal
hidden dynamics and network intentionality that will change one's practical approach to the subject.
Please contact me with any questions you have.
Leslie Emery, PhD
email: leslie(dot)emery@scientificmythology.net
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