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Concept
The classification of ideas
 
  In all languages, the power of symbols and words linked to real world objects and concepts only works when some kind of classification system of belief applies.  
  French is French. English is English. However some of the words of the English language are originally derived from the French language and vice versa. At their most basic level, language systems of classification seek to attach certain meanings to groups of symbols (words). The most important words initially tend to be words that we can link to observable objects we can sense (e.g. see, smell, touch, taste, hear) e.g.: Mummy (Mother) Daddy/Dad (Father) Car Food Drink(s) Play  
  In the English language, there are literally millions of words, categorized into thousands of relationships and patterns.  
2.10.1 The definition and concept of classification of belief
  What we sense with our senses (sight, smell, touch, audio, taste) is a rich tapestry of sensations and visual images. Yet images such as movies, television would be simply overwhelming if not for the understanding of how to group meanings under bigger meanings.  
  We call these bigger groupings classifications of belief. The word "classification" comes from the Latin word classis originally a term used by the Romans to describe the six orders into which they divided their population "according to rank" for taxation purposes.  
  Given there must be reasons associated with the ways in which things are grouped under a heading, we see there are rules of classification. We also see groupings of classifications and so systems of higher meaning- higher classification.  
  For example, we classify the animal kingdom into genera, families, orders, classes and phyla- using a two-part Latin name made up of the genus and species as devised by Swedish naturalist Karl von Linne (1707-78). In Atomic Physics, we classify elements according to the Periodic Table.  
2.10.2 The strength of classification in locking down meanings of concepts
  The strength of classification is best shown by the degree to which concepts remain stable and within various categories.  
  Many concepts have surprisingly long histories of existence and stability within certain categories.  
  Concepts such as truth have remained stable for an extended period of time. Reason has a long life as a concept. Law has a long history as a concept. The concept of honour has a long life, as does the concepts of reality and fact.  
  At the same time, many concepts have a surprisingly short life span, for example- fashion trends, music tastes, hair trends, the human life compared to the life of a star.  
  Yet we also see that many concepts have more of a cyclical nature such as economics, natural disasters, disease, the concept of seasons and even the cycle of night and day.  
  Then there are those concepts that have existed for at least the entire 160,000 to 180,000 years of the history of the species Homo Sapiens- the same as we are today. These most notably are the symbols and words for religious terms. The concept of God or Gods. More recently we have the concept of the soul, of human beings also being divine such as Orpheus, Mithra, Jesus Christ.  
  Systems of classification such as Christianity, where each concept interlinks with each other and references each other shows conclusively that classification has an enormous impact on the longevity and stability of concepts.  
  The rules of classification therefore appear to play a significant role on the strength of a classification system and so the stability and longevity of terms associated with the classification system.  
  Even if an individual concept is strongly challenged, the interlinking web of powerful symbolic imagery reacts by drawing each concept closer- thus neutralizing the challenge. For when concepts appear to be interlinked in meaning, the weakness of meaning of one can be compensated and protected by the strength of the others.  
  In Catholicism for example, the concept of a "virgin birth" has long been a difficult and troublesome concept concerning the religious figure Mother Mary. Yet the sanctification by the Catholic Church of numerous real historical people who claimed divine assistance from worship and/or prayer to Mother Mary counteracts the weakness of the other.  
2.10.3 The rules of classification  
  All systems of classification have rules. All strong systems of classification have strong, simple interlinking rules, such as rules of government, rules of the road, rules of law, rules of physics, rules of logic.  
  The strength, simplicity, universal application and inter linkage all contribute to the strength of each individual rule system.  
  The American Constitution of Government is one example, the Roman Christian Canon Law and the Ten Commandments are other good examples.  
2.10.4 All systems of rules begin with fundamental "prime ideas"
  No matter how complex the classification methods, all systems of rules have a point of origin, called the "prime idea". Sometimes the "prime idea" breaks into a fundamental group of ideas- a philosophy, a creed, a mantra, a constitution, a treatise, a manifesto, a sacred text.  
  The Declaration of Independence is one such excellent example of a prime idea (with Freemasonry insight) that underpins the Constitution of the United States of America.  
  July 4, 1776 In Congress, July 4, 1776, THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
  When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.  
  The concept of all human beings possessing a soul, as first developed under the Orphic religion ( Orpheus), then developed further under Plato, then to Gnostic and finally to the Christian religion is another excellent example of a prime idea.  
  The immortality and bodily redemption of those deemed "worthy:, as developed by the Egyptians, through to Persia (Zoroastrianism 600BC) and then Christian and Muslim belief structures is another prime idea example.  
2.10.5 Impact and influence of classification systems
  The way we view the world is profoundly influence by systems of classification. We purchase brand name products such as food, clothes, white goods and luxury products. We perform duties at work according to classified specifications and rules. We drive cars classified as registered according to classifications of road rules. We watch television and sports according to classifications of rules and of actions. Even the books and newspapers we read are because of the classifications of language.  
  All these systems of rules, pervading all knowledge effectively presents us a word is profoundly important.  
2.10.6 The need to classify, the need to be certain
  While we might argue certain classification systems are faulty, or even unnecessary, classification systems are vital for making sense of patterns. Classification systems are the tools by which we learn.  
  Without classification we would have no means of absorbing a thought into a sentence , of reciting life experiences, of formalizing observations of pattern, later to be called a "science".  
  Classification systems have enabled the retention and transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. The meaning of meanings- the wisdom of life.  
  As our classification systems have improved so has our ability to observe patterns even if some patterns continue to seem elusive.  
2.10.7 The influence of the prime idea by underlying "universal constants"
  Earlier we mentioned that documents such as the Declaration of Independence can be considered a Prime Idea for the United States of America and therefore its Constitution (formal set of rules of classification).  
  Given the importance of the opening statement of the Declaration of Independence ( Prime Idea), what then do we understand the word "truth(s)" to actually mean?  
  If you look at the opening statements, you can see that the word "truth", as well as "life", "liberty", "God", "happiness" are pivotal words. It is no wonder they remain pivotal words to the continued functioning of political and moral law of the United States of America.  
  We call these words "Universal Constants". They are the concepts that provide the backbone of the prime idea. They are called "Universal Constants" because these concepts are seemingly timeless and unchanging, un debatable, unarguable in their nature. As constants, words such as "truth" or "freedom" cannot be argued on face value.  
2.10.8 The need to identify and understand the Universal Constants
  Given their role and importance and given such a wide historical usage, we could assume that the meanings of truth, of God, of freedom, of reality, or fact are certain and therefore do not require investigation.  
  However, as we mentioned earlier, what do you understand "truth" to be? What do you understand as freedom? or the people of another country think of 'reality"?  
  Now understanding the power of classification and prime ideas, we now move to seek to understand "Universal Constants".  
     
 
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