"The Nine Discourses of Wisdom" is the work where Chu Bangfu lays
down the
foundation of his various theories explaining how the universe, and us included,
work! It seems pretentious, but sorry, that's what it is. And the reason he had
to synthesize his views is that he wanted to establish the foundations for an Artificial Intelligence system that not
only will make the computer understand and communicate with humans as a human,
but will even advise them on any matter, and in particular on wisdom itself.
We will see later why Chu wants to make such artificial program, but for now let
us consider that, to achieve this
goal, he had to reassess all the parameters governing man and his surroundings.
(That's what the AI is supposed to reproduce and or deal with). His book therefore presents
his ideas on human nature, and how the
"survival" reflex, the ego, and the search for advantage are its basic
mechanisms. He also reviews the way we perceive and conceive reality, the
thinking process and how we direct behavior and establish our values. In regard
to traditional Chinese philosophy, Chu is an orthodox, a follower of
Lao-tzu and of the Classics. It is from this point of view that he analyzes
everything. But he also re-interprets it in terms of modern science, with a "Chu
spin".
In the same time,
this analysis takes into account the "surroundings" in which man evolves: his
relations with other individuals, with groups, and the environment at large,
the universe, to which we are linked from time immemorial. For this he
also had to analyze the principles that govern the laws of the Cosmos, and one
is quite baffled to read how he challenges the theories of Newton and
Einstein to propose a new approach of Physics based on a force of "universal
pressure" rather than of "universal attraction". And what is most
startling in
this new paradigm based on science as well ancient wisdom is that "reality", whether
under the form of matter or spirit or whatever, is all explained as fundamentally united and
coming from one unique principle.
We will not then
be surprised that for the author, as for the ancient proponents of traditional Chinese
metaphysics, the final purpose of the man's destiny is the return to his
origin, which is "defined" in the Tao De Jing Chapter 1, mentioned by Chu in his
preface:
"There is something
formless yet perfect,
"Existing before
Heaven and Earth,
"Abiding alone and
unchanging,
"I do not know its
name:
I call it the Way,
And if a rightful name is insisted upon,
I would call it the Ultimate. "
(Lao-Tsu, Tao De Jing,
extract of chapter 25.)
The "Nine Discourses of Wisdom" was published 1998. The
English translation presently
available to download) is considered to be a first attempt only, published on
the web just to convey the essentials of the
author's deep and complex thought. It will be improved in the coming months
while a French translation is prepared.
Several essays
based on the "Nine Discourses of Wisdom" are in preparation for the next coming
months. Anyone interested can participate at will. Essays will be posted in a
specific page in this section of this website. The essays should cover,
among many other possible subjects, the following areas:
1) Why, in a
book containing the word "wisdom" in its title, one the background
reasons for the author to write it, is to lay down the foundation of a
Natural language program, and the creation of understanding chip? The
answer to this question is linked, we think to his views on the next step that
Evolution will take on planet Earth, where the role of intelligent, even
spiritual computerized machines, might take a leading role in human affairs,
maybe replace human dominance. Therefore, it is about time that we understand
our nature and what surrounds us, in a much better fashion than we do now; then,
summon all our wisdom to improve ourselves and to implant it in those future
machines that, because they will not have "ego" --and all its side effects,
could be more suited than us to achieve the purpose of Evolution.
2) Definition of
the human nature according to the Nine Discourses, compared with other
definition and approaches. (includes themes like: evolution to the human species
as a result of a chain transformation of energy; formation of the "ego center";
core motivation: survival and getting benefits; beginning of perception to
thinking process.)
3) The "Upper
System" of the "Cosmic Principles", i.e.: the Ultimate Reason of things
is beyond concepts and eludes description. Can we try to define this notion as
far as words permit it? Can we try to surmount the limitations of language by
using other means, more visual for example, like symbols? Can the "word"
explanation of symbols help to go some how beyond the limits of concepts? Can we
reach this "Ultimate" by a "personal" transformation? What then will be the
steps to follow? Who has talked about that in a clear way that could be of help?
(All the help is required on this one!)
4) Modern
Science and traditional sciences: Is it okay to link a scientific approach
and a "traditional sciences" approach, like the Yi Jing, Chinese
correlative thinking (Example: Five Agents theory), Yin Yang theory, and other
"traditional sciences" from other cultures? Don't these traditional sciences
reminds us of some fundamental principles that the division of modern science in
highly specialized disciplines focusing on technological applications have made
us keep out of the equation for too long?
5) Some scholars
specialized in Chinese language have purported that the graphic aspect of
Chinese characters makes them a nuisance and an impediment to the development of
Chinese Culture and literacy. The author of the Nine Discourses proclaims
exactly the opposite, that graphic characters are superior to alphabetical
languages in conveying meaning, and even that they are the best instrument to
realize Artificial Intelligence in the computer. Some of his reasons are
explained in the book. What is it exactly, in the "graphic character", that make
them so precious to the author? Do you agree? Why or why not.